Contribution of serum adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein levels to the presence of microalbuminuria in a Chinese hyperglycemic population

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus are vulnerable to micro‐ and macrovascular complications in the presence of microalbuminuria. Adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein (A‐FABP) was proposed as an indicator for albuminuria in patients with diabetes. The present study aimed to explore the associations between serum A‐FABP levels and microalbuminuria in the hyperglycemic population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum A‐FABP levels were detected using sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Microalbuminuria was identified by urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR), when the value was between 30–300 mg/g. The participants were divided into the subgroups based on sex and the status of impaired glucose regulation or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: A total of 939 participants, consisting of 436 men and 503 women, were enrolled. Serum levels of A‐FABP were much higher in participants with microalbuminuria than those without microalbuminuria. This result held true for all subgroups (all P < 0.05). For Spearman's correlation analyses, serum A‐FABP levels showed a positive relationship with the UACR in men and women (both P < 0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that serum A‐FABP levels were independently and positively correlated with UACR in both sexes (men: standardized β = 0.256, P < 0.001; women: standardized β = 0.155, P = 0.001). This relationship remained significant in every subgroup (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For hyperglycemic individuals, serum A‐FABP levels increased in the presence of microalbuminuria. Serum A‐FABP levels were identified as an independent factor positively associated with the UACR.