Blood retinol and retinol-binding protein concentrations are associated with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Purpose The associations between blood retinol, retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations and diabetes mellitus were inconsistent in literature. The objective is to investigate these associations by a systematic review and meta-analysis and provide basis for clinical intervention. Methods PubMed, Web of science, and Cochrane databases were searched from the beginning to July 1, 2021. A total of 13 studies on retinol and 31 studies on RBP are included in the current meta-analysis. Results The blood retinol concentration was significantly lower in the type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) [standardized mean difference (SMD) (95% CI): − 0.59 (− 0.81, − 0.37), P < 0.01] and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients [SMD (95% CI): − 0.54 (− 0.87, − 0.20), P < 0.01] than in the controls. However, the difference was not significant between the type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and the controls. The RBP concentration was significantly higher in the diabetic patients than in the controls [SMD (95% CI): 0.24 (0.12, 0.35), P < 0.01]. Particularly, the RBP concentration was significantly higher in the T2DM and GDM patients. Conclusion The blood retinol concentration was negatively associated with T1DM and GDM, while the blood RBP concentration was positively associated with T2DM and GDM. Future work should use a more sensitive retinol measurement method like retinol isotope dilution method to confirm whether blood retinol concentration differs between the diabetes patients and the controls.