Relationship of Plasma Gremlin 1 Levels with Body Adiposity and Glycemic Control in Saudi Female Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Objective

Gremlin 1 is a novel adipokine that plays an important role in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the current study, we aimed to evaluate plasma levels of Gremlin 1 in diabetic and non-diabetic Saudi adult females and its correlation with body composition, glycemic control and lipid profile.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted among 41 T2DM and 31 non-diabetic adult age matched females (controls). All patients underwent body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, with a commercially available body analyzer. Fasting venous samples were analyzed for glycemic markers and lipids, while plasma Gremlin 1 was measured by ELISA. The results were compared between the two groups and correlated with other anthropometric and adiposity parameters.

Results

Gremlin 1 levels were elevated in T2DM patients (345 ± 26 ng/mL) when compared to control subjects (272 ± 16 ng/mL, p < 0.05). Diabetic patients having poor glycemic control had significantly higher Gremlin 1 levels (382 ± 34 ng/mL) compared to patients with good glycemic control (291 ± 37 ng/mL, p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of Gremlin 1 with fat mass (r = 0.246, p = 0.012), HbA1C (r = 0.262, p = 0.008) and HOMA-IR index (r = 0.321, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates an important role of Gremlin 1 in glycemic control and body adiposity in the pathophysiology of obesity and T2DM. Gremlin 1 may emerge as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in obesity and T2DM.

Keywords:

• Gremlin 1
• adiposity
• diabetes mellitus
• HbA1C
• HOMA-IR

Ethical Approval

The study protocol followed the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Institutional Review Board, College of Medicine, King Saud University (Ref. No. 20/0977/IRB). Informed consent was obtained from the study participants prior to study commencement.

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number IFKSURG-2-015. The funding body played no role in the design of the study and data collection, analysis, interpretation or writing of the manuscript.

Disclosure

Khalid A Al-Regaiey, Syed Shahid Habib and Muhammad Iqbal are senior authors. The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.