Retinol binding protein-4 is associated with TNF-\alpha
and not insulin resistance in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus
and coronary heart disease
Affiliations: Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud
University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Nasser M. Al-Daghri, College of Science
Biochemistry Department, King Saud University PO Box 2455, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia. Tel.: +966 14675939; Fax: +966 14675931; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: We studied the association between RBP4 and various markers related
to insulin resistance and diabetic complications as well as inflammatory
markers in Saudi population suffering from type 2 diabetes and coronary heart
disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into 3 groups according to
the type of treatment and involvement of coronary artery disease. Serum RBP4,
TNF-α, insulin, CRP, resistin, leptin and adiponectin were analysed in
all samples. RBP4 levels increased significantly in the group of diabetic
subjects treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and diabetic patients with
coronary heart disease (30.2 ± 11.8; 33.4 ± 13.6 respectively),
while there was no significant change in the other group for diabetic subjects
on low-carbohydrate diet (25.1 ± 10.9) compared to control group (22.6
± 9.5). RPB4 levels were positively correlated with TNF-α in the
group of diabetic subjects on oral hypoglycemic agents and diabetic patients
with coronary heart disease (r = 0.52, P < 0.05; r = 0.58, P < 0.05
respectively). No correlations were found between RBP4 levels and insulin
resistance in all studied groups. Our findings suggest that serum RBP4 levels
is associated with pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and is not
associated with insulin resistance among patients with type 2 diabetes and
coronary heart disease.
Keywords: Retinol-binding protein 4, TNF-α, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases
