Abstract
BACKGROUND: Irisin, a myokine implicated in metabolic hemostasis, have been investigated in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet findings on its serum levels and association with diabetic complications such as nephropathy remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum irisin levels and renal function in T2DM patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 140 individuals diagnosed with T2DM. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were recorded. Fasting blood samples were collected to determine serum irisin levels using the ELISA method. Additional biochemical measurements included fasting blood glucose, creatinine, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, HbA1c, and urinary albumin. Correlations between irisin levels and these parameters were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) to assess associations between irisin levels and renal function. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in serum irisin levels was observed between patients with reduced renal function (GFR≤60) and those with GFR>60 (10.45±6.54 vs. 13.32±10.59 ng/ml, P=0.08). In stratified analysis by ACR, patients with nephropathy displayed a non-significantly lower irisin level than those without (11.70±8.18 vs. 13.38±11.51, P=0.33). Serum irisin showed no significant correlations with FBS (P=0.05), insulin (P=0.06), LDL (P=0.96), HDL (P=0.61), or BMI (P=0.42). CONCLUSION: Lower irisin levels in T2DM patients with reduced renal function or nephropathy may indicate a potential role for irisin in diabetic renal disease progression. Serum irisin could serve as a prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy pending further validation.