Heliyon (Apr 2024)
Circulating afamin positively correlated with the miR-122 expression and type 2 diabetes mellitus-related phenotype according to the duration of diabetes
Abstract
Background: Afamin is a hepatokine that involves in glucose and lipids metabolism. miR-122 is mainly expressed in liver and involves in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study aimed at investigating the circulating afamin, its correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and miR-122 gene expression in T2DM patients and healthy control subjects according to the duration of diabetes. Methods: This case-control study included 220 participants, with 100 individuals serving as controls and 120 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The miR-122 gene expression was assessed using real-time PCR. The serum concentration of biochemical parameters such as glucose levels, lipid profile, and small-dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) were measured using colorimetric kits. Circulating afamin and insulin levels were assayed using an ELISA kit. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured using capillary electrophoresis. Results: Circulating afamin level was significantly higher in T2DM patients compared to the control group, (73.8 ± 10.8 vs. 65.9 ± 8.7, respectively; P 5 years) exhibited significantly higher levels of circulating afamin and miR-122 expression compared to individuals with a shorter duration of diabetes (≤5 years) (P < 0.05). Circulating afamin levels were significantly correlated with waist circumference, small-dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, resistance to insulin, and miR-122 expression, depending on the duration of the disease (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the performance of afamin as a diagnostic marker for T2DM was confirmed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Circulating afamin involved in the T2DM-related complications and its concentration is positively correlated to the miR-122 expression, especially in patient with longstanding diabetes.
