The significance and prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic potential of selected paracrine factors in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common modern “disease of affluence”, characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defective insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells and/or impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin. In Poland, the incidence of this metabolic disease is 5–8% and is still increasing. The consequences of the development of T2DM include, among others: changes in cardiovascular system, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Due to medical progress, it is easier to control glycemia, as well as to predict the occurrence of this disease or the dynamics of its development and consequences. The molecules discussed in the article: growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) and fetuin-A, represent great promise both in the diagnosis and treatment of not only T2DM, but also obesity, which often accompanies T2DM. Most of the studies reported in the literature were performed on animal models, mainly mouse. This article presents arguments supporting the potential usefulness of the above-mentioned paracrine factors for prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Keywords

• paracrine factors
• type 2 diabetes
• metabolic disorders