Neuregulin 4 and Metabolic Health in Women: Implications for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Background & Objective: Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) was found to be highly enriched in brown adipose tissue and plays an important role in regulating glucolipid metabolism. The present study was conducted with aim to evaluate the concentrations of Nrg4 and its relationship with insulin, as well as inflammatory markers IL8 and TNFα, in women with metabolic disorders such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 73 female participants aged 30 to 60 years categorized into three groups: healthy obese (n=21), newly diagnosed T2D (n=21), and treated T2D (n=31). Various body anthropometric measurements were assessed, and blood tests were conducted to analyze serum glucose levels, lipid profiles, insulin levels, and adipokines.Results: The levels of Nrg4 in healthy obese and newly diagnosed T2D increased compared with treated T2D (P=0.007 and P=0.005, respectively). In treated T2D group, there was a positive correlation between serum Nrg4 and insulin (r=0.699, P˂0.001), HOMA-IR (r=0.725, P˂0.001), and IL8 (r=0.395, P=0.028). In the healthy obese group, there was a positive correlation between serum Nrg4 and HbA1c and IL8 (r=0.492, P=0.023; r=0.579, P=0.006, respectively). In a total of participants, Nrg4 correlated positively with TNFα (r=0.580, P˂0.001).Conclusion: Nrg4 levels increased in obesity and newly diagnosed diabetes correlate with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The elevation of Nrg4 serves as a predictive indicator for the onset of inflammation due to obesity, which may ultimately lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.