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

Predictive roles of Asprosin and Gremlin-1 expression in Egyptian pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 1 (insulin-dependent) (T1DM) is characterized by the selective destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta. Asprosin and Gremlin-1 may have roles in T1DM, however these roles are not fully established. The expression of Asprosin and Gremlin-1 genes and their protein levels, was considerably higher in T1DM patients' blood compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The area under the curve of 50 age- and sex-matched control persons was compared to that of serum T1DM patients. Gremlin-1 and Asprosin serum quantities were measured by ELISA, and real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of their genes in peripheral blood. Serum Asprosin concentration, Asprosin expression, serum Gremlin-1 concentration, and Gremlin-1 expression were 0.87, 0.997, 0.912, and 0.949, respectively. The Asprosin expression was the best marker for T1DM diagnosis with 96% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 94% accuracy. Asprosin expression can significantly increase the risk of T1DM by 276 folds, followed by Gremlin-1 expression by 84.33 folds. The best diagnostic for T1DM diagnosis was Asprosin expression, which had 96% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 94% accuracy. The risk of type 1 diabetes can be raised by 276 times when asprosin expression is present, and by 84.33 times when Gremlin-1 expression is present.

Adiponectin and TNFα in relation to glucometabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

The correlation of adiponectin and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) with glucometabolic parameters in diabetes mellitus (DM) needs further studies. We aimed in this study to evaluate the relationship between adiponectin and TNFα with glucometabolic parameters in patients with type 2 DM (T2DM).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The sample size was 117 from the diabetes clinic of King Abdul-Aziz University hospital through the convenience sampling technique. Subjects were grouped into control (healthy) subjects (53) with no chronic diseases and the diabetic group (64) with confirmed T2DM. Socio-demographic data were collected along with the serum blood sample to analyze the variables.

Results

Adiponectin was significantly high in healthy subjects compared to the diabetic group (control: 14.4 ± 4.3, T2DM: 11.0 ± 4.1, P = 0.000), while TNFα was higher in the T2DM group (7.8 ± 2.7) than in the control group (6.6 ± 2.9, P = 0.024). TNFα was negatively correlated with adiponectin in the control group (-0.279) and in diabetic subjects (-0.311) and positively correlated with HbA1c in the diabetic group (0.319) and triglycerides (0.252). Adiponectin was positively correlated with HDL in the control group (0.252) and in diabetic subjects (0.326). There was an inverse correlation between TNFα and adiponectin.

Conclusion

Adiponectin is higher in healthy subjects than in diabetic patients, while TNFα is higher in diabetic patients. In addition, adiponectin is positively correlated with HDL in healthy as well as diabetic patients. TNFα is positively correlated with HbA1c and triglycerides.

The role of asprosin in regulating ovarian granulosa- and theca-cell steroidogenesis: a review with comparisons to other adipokines

Adipose tissues produce a variety of biologically active compounds, including cytokines, growth factors and adipokines. Adipokines are important as they function as endocrine hormones that are related to various metabolic and reproductive diseases. The goal of this review was to summarise the role of asprosin, a recently discovered adipokine, and compare its role in ovarian steroidogenesis with that of other adipokines including adiponectin, leptin, resistin, apelin, visfatin, chemerin, irisin, and gremlin 1. The summary of concentrations of these adipokines in humans, rats and other animals will help researchers identify appropriate doses to test in future studies. Review of the literature indicated that asprosin increases androstenedione production in theca cells (Tc), and when cotreated with FSH increases oestradiol production in granulosa cells (Gc). In comparison, other adipokines (1) stimulate Gc oestradiol production but inhibit Tc androgen production (adiponectin), (2) inhibit Gc oestradiol production and Tc androstenedione production (leptin and chemerin), (3) inhibit Gc steroidogenesis with no effect on Tc (resistin), (4) inhibit Gc oestradiol production but stimulate Tc androgen production (gremlin 1), and (5) increase steroid secretion by Gc, with unknown effects on Tc steroidogenesis (apelin and visfatin). Irisin has direct effects on Gc but its precise role (inhibitory or stimulatory) may be species dependent and its effects on Tc will require additional research. Thus, most adipokines have direct effects (either positive or negative) on steroid production in ovarian cells, but how they all work together to create a cumulative effect or disease will require further research.

Analysis of Gremlin 1 Levels Following Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

In the current study, we aimed to assess the levels of Gremlin 1, an adipokine with a rich repertoire of metabolic effects, in association with the glycemic and lipid parameters after sleeve gastrectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted on 31 males with obesity aged 25 to 50 years who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Plasma Gremlin 1 levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline and 6-12 months after the operation, along with body mass index, insulin, glucose, and lipid profile.

RESULTS

Plasma Gremlin 1 levels were elevated (148.19±17.43 vs. 193.29±19.82 ng/mL, p < 0.05) after sleeve gastrectomy. This was accompanied by a decrease in body mass index (from 51.47±1.71 to 39.23±1.56 kg/m2, p < 0.05). Insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) also exhibited a significant decrease (19.69±1.81 vs. 8.98±1.09 mIU/L and 6.52±0.98 vs. 2.57±0.036 p < 0.05, respectively) in the postoperative period. Total cholesterol levels were significantly increased after surgery (4.29±0.16 to 5.10±0.16, p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that Gremlin 1 was positively correlated with insulin before surgery, but there was no significant correlation after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The circulating Gremlin 1 levels were elevated postoperatively among our participants. The improvement in insulin sensitivity appears to be independent of the reported antagonistic effects of Gremlin 1.