Apelin and chemerin as promising adipokines in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children that may be due to micro or macrovascular complications. Diabetic renal disease or nephropathy is a common complication of DM, clinically silent and the only detectable abnormality due to the presence of microalbuminuria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was a case–control study. Participants were classified into two groups. The first group included 40 children with T1DM and the second group included 30 matched healthy controls. Serum apelin (APLN), chemerin, cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) levels were measured for each case. Also, albumin/creatinine ratio was analyzed in random urine sample. RESULTS: Comparison between T1DM patients and controls revealed that serum apelin, chemerin, cholesterol, TG levels, and albuminuria were significantly increased in cases compared to their controls. Significant positive correlations were found between HbA1c% and albuminuria for APLN and chemerin in the diabetic group. Whereas significant negative correlations were found between apelin and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of serum apelin and chemerin in T1DM patients may be considered as promising adipokines for the development of diabetic complication.