Association between insulin resistance and hematopoietic stem cell functions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: The study aimed to explore the association between insulin resistance (IR) and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 230 patients diagnosed with T2DM were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Demographic data, including age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity, were recorded. Clinical parameters such as HbA1c, fasting glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured. Hematopoietic stem cell populations in peripheral blood were assessed using flow cytometry. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v27.0, including chi-square and Pearson correlation to assess associations between IR and HSC function. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average insulin resistance index was 8.03, and mean insulin levels were 20.55 µU/mL. Hematological markers, including WBC, RBC, and platelet counts, were within normal ranges. No statistically significant association was found between insulin resistance and hematological parameters such as WBC, RBC, or platelet counts (p > 0.05). However, a non-significant inverse trend was observed between insulin resistance and platelet count (p = 0.159). Additionally, no significant correlations were found between insulin resistance and clinical parameters such as BMI, HbA1c, and lipid profiles. Conclusion: This study suggests that insulin resistance may not have a direct impact on hematopoietic stem cell function in patients with T2DM, although further research with larger samples may be required to clarify any potential trends, particularly concerning platelet counts.