Connection between the Plasma Level of Apelin and Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. A Case Control Study

BACKGROUND: Apelin is an adipokine that may have an advantageous role in the prediction of early diabetic nephropathy. A few studies on apelin in diabetes have been performed and this research was performed to establish the connection between the apelinergic system and diabetic nephropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were equally divided into Group-I (diabetic nephropathy) and Group-II (non-diabetic nephropathy), and 30 healthy subjects in the control group (Group-III). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were calculated. FBG, 2 h–PPG, HbA1c, fasting lipids, urea, creatinine, eGFR, urine analysis, A/C ratio, and apelin levels were assessed. RESULTS: A statistically significant between-group difference in plasma apelin levels was found (P < 0.001). Apelin was the highest in Group-I than in Group-II relative to Group-III (325.79 ± 59.42 pg/mL, 162.83 ± 29.88 pg/mL, and 77.43 ± 8.44 pg/mL, respectively). Among diabetic patients, plasma apelin had a significantly positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.612), SBP (r = 0.427), DBP (r = 0.466), weight (r = 0.372), and height (r = 0.372), FBG (r = 0.684), 2 h-PPG (r = 0.744), HbA1C (r = 0.890), total (T)-cholesterol (r = 0.316), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C (r = 0.397), urea (r = 0.575), and creatinine (r = 0.591). A significantly negative correlation was observed between plasma apelin and HDL-C (r = –0.303), and eGFR (r = –0.566). CONCLUSION: Apelin levels in diabetics were elevated in the case of nephropathy, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia. This supports the relationship between the apelinergic system and diabetic nephropathy.