Association of retinol binding protein 4 and transthyretin with triglyceride levels and insulin resistance in rural thais with high type 2 diabetes risk

Abstract

BackgroundRetinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), a protein secreted by adipocytes and bound in plasma to transthyretin (TTR), has been associated with obesity, the early phase of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between RBP4, TTR, triglyceride (TG) and type 2 diabetes risk in rural Thailand.MethodsWe measured the serum RBP4, TTR, glucose, triglyceride and insulin levels, and glucose tolerance of 167 volunteers from Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationships between RBP4, TTR and type 2 diabetes markers.ResultsRBP4 and TTR levels, as well as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values, were significantly elevated among subjects with high triglyceride levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Triglyceride levels correlated with RBP4 (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and TTR (r = 0.26, p < 0.01) levels, as well as HOMA-IR values (r = 0.16, p < 0.05). After adjustment for age and gender, the risk of hypertriglyceridemia was 3.7 times greater (95% CI =1.42–9.73, p = 0.008) in the highest RBP4 tertile as compared to the lowest tertile. Similarly, the highest TTR and HOMA-IR tertiles had greater risk of hypertriglyceridemia at 3.5 (95% CI = 1.30–9.20, p = 0.01) and 3.6 (95% CI = 1.33–9.58, p = 0.01) times higher than the respective lowest tertiles. The correlation between TTR and blood glucose was statistically significant (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), but not found this relationship in RBP4.ConclusionsThe associations of RBP4 and TTR with hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance may have important implications for the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The synergistic effect of fenretinide and metformin to achieve a decrease in insulin resistance and inflammatory mediators: an in vivo study

“…The elevated plasma RBP4 levels were positively associated with insulin resistance; it can also cause type 2 diabetes (Kwanbunjan et al 2018). These results correspond with those of Mody and Mcilroy (2014) who reported that fenretinide reduces the serum retinol-binding protein found in the bodies of humans and rodents.…”

“…Currently, studies have demonstrated that RBP expression in adipose tissue and its corresponding serum protein level are considerably increased in obese mice and humans. Additionally, the elevation in serum RBP levels was demonstrated to be a precursor of insulin resistance (Kwanbunjan et al 2018). The main capacity of RBP is thought to permit the flow of the hydrophobic nutrient, vitamin A, in blood.…”

Elevated RBP4 plasma levels were associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes

“…It was reported that the level of circulating RBP4 is often elevated in obese mice and humans and that, under these circumstances, the protein induces insulin resistance [ 7 ]. Previous studies had suggested that circulating RBP4 levels were associated with insulin resistance [ 8 ], metabolic syndrome [ 9 ], impaired glucose tolerance [ 10 ], and type 2 diabetes [ 11 ].…”

Is the Retinol-Binding Protein 4 a Possible Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases in Obesity?

“…As the research studies have demonstrated, RBP4 is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which is further associated with chronic subclinical inflammation and can promote vascular inflammation [36,[84][85][86][87]. Moreover, RBP4 can induce IR by developing the inflammatory state in the adipose tissue due to the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.…”