The association between serum hepassocin levels and microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study investigated the association between hepassocin levels (HL) and microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study included 85 patients with diabetes (for at least 5 years) patients aged 18 to 75 years. Among the patients, 44 were diagnosed with stage 3 diabetic nephropathy (case group, spot urine microalbumin: 30-300 mg/day), while 41 had no diabetic nephropathy (control group; spot urine microalbumin < 30 mg/day). Patients general characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. Blood samples were collected from the patients to measure HL using the ELISA method. Additionally, various biochemical and hormonal laboratory parameters were analyzed. The assessments included hemogram, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, sodium, potassium, and lipid profile. The HLs of the case and control groups were compared. Additionally, all patients were divided into quartiles based on their HLs, and further statistical analyses were performed. The median age of the patients was 60 years (range: 29-73), and 50 were women (58.8%). The median body mass index was 32.46 kg/m², HbA1c was 8%, and glomerular filtration rate was 94 mL/min. Median serum HLs were recorded at 0.31 ng/mL (range: 0.28-10.81). The median serum HL of the case and control groups was similar (0.31 vs 0.31 ng/mL, P = .595). In the analyses stratifying patients into quartiles based on their HL, the Q4 group (the group with the highest HL) exhibited significantly higher microalbuminuria rates compared to the other groups (Q1 65 %, Q2 35%, Q3 41.4%, Q4 75.0%, P = .039). The rates of patients using dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors were observed to be higher in the Q1 group (the group with the lowest HL) than in other groups (Q1 80%, Q2 50%, Q3 37.9%, Q4 50.0%, P = .035). This study showed that HL might be associated with high microalbuminuria levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, using dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor therapy might be associated with lower HL. However, prospectively designed studies are needed to elucidate more accurate findings about the issue as noted above.