Decreased Plasma Adropin: A Possible Risk Factor for Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in South-West, Nigeria

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between plasma adropin, glucose, lipids and lipoproteins as well as anthropometric indices in T2DM and control participants. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 patients (37 males, 93 females) 42-70 years diagnosed as T2DM, were recruited. Forty-three apparently healthy volunteers (16 males, 27 females) 3055 years were included as controls. Fasting blood samples were collected from all participants and dispensed in appropriate anticoagulant bottles for biochemical assays. The anthropometric indices were determined using standard procedures. Plasma adropin was determined by ELISA technique. Plasma glucose, lipids, lipoproteins were determined using standard methods. Results: The results showed significantly higher values in waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, pulse rate (p = 0.001), waist to hip ratio (p = 0.006) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.05) compared with the controls. There were remarkable significantly lower values in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and adropin (p = 0.001) compared with the controls. Significantly higher values were obtained in plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC) triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDLc and TC/HDLc ratios (p = 0.001) compared with the controls. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that lower levels of adropin, HDLc coupled with higher levels of fasting plasma glucose, TC, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDLc, TC/HDLc ratios are associated with metabolic syndrome in T2DM; and are possible predisposing factors to early risk of CVD event. Future treatment of T2DM patients with synthetic adropin may be beneficial and worthwhile. Further study is warranted.