BACKGROUND: Slit2 is a new secreted protein from adipose tissue that improves glucose hemostasis in mice; however, there is no study about the serum levels and precise role of Slit2 in human. The aim of this study is to explore the serum level of Slit2 in human, and to identify the role of Slit2 in diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The participants of this study consist of 38 subjects with newly diagnosed DM, and 75 healthy subjects as a control group. Serum Slit2 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Relationship between circulating Slit2 and diabetic related factors was investigated in diabetic group compared with non-diabetic group. Additionally, the correlations between the serum level of Slit2 and diverse metabolic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Circulating Slit2 level was more decreased in diabetic group than in control group, but there was no significant difference statistically. Interestingly, serum levels of Slit2 were significantly negatively correlated to the serum concentrations of fasting glucose (coefficient r=–0.246, P=0.008), the serum concentrations of postprandial glucose (coefficient r=–0.233, P=0.017), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c; coefficient r=–0.357, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: From our study, the first report of circulating Slit2 levels in human, circulating Slit2 level significantly negatively correlated with serum glucose and HbA1c. Our results suggest that the circulating Slit2 may play a role in maintainence of glucose homeostasis in human, even though exact contribution and mechanism are not yet known.
Adipokines ; Adipose Tissue ; Adipose Tissue, Brown ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Hemostasis ; Homeostasis ; Humans* ; Mice

We analyzed circulating soluble epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR) levels in humans. Serum sEGFR levels were higher in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with controls. Serum sEGFR was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin and serum glucose and negatively correlated with serum insulin and C-peptide levels.
Biological Assay ; Blood Glucose ; C-Peptide ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Insulin ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the clinical characteristics and diagnostic rates of diabetes mellitus (DM) according to various criteria in different age groups and to evaluate the efficacy of each criterion for screening older patients. METHODS: We studied 515 patients and measured the fasting plasma glucose level (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose level after the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2-hour postload glucose [2-h PG]), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for re-evaluation of hyperglycemia without a history of diabetes. Patients with newly diagnosed DM were grouped by age as younger ( < 65 years) or older (≥65 years). RESULTS: Older patients had significantly lower HbA1c, FPG, and 2-h PG levels and a higher homeostatic level of pancreatic β-cell function compared with younger patients (P < 0.001). The older group had the lowest diagnostic rate when using the FPG level (45.5%) and the highest diagnostic rate when using the 2-h PG level (84.6%). These results were mostly due to the higher frequency of isolated post-challenge hyperglycemia in the older patients than in the younger group (28.8% vs. 9.2%). The use of both the FPG and HbA1c levels significantly enhanced the low diagnostic power when employing only the FPG levels in the older group (71.2% vs. 45.5%). CONCLUSION: In the older patients, the 2-h PG level was the most accurate diagnostic criterion. When we consider the costs and convenience, a combination of the FPG and HbA1c criteria may be recommended as a screening test for DM in older people.
Blood Glucose* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Early Diagnosis* ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Mass Screening ; Plasma*

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induces endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which are the main factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to compare the effects of rosuvastatin monotherapy and rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy on lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and vascular inflammatory response in patients with T2DM. Methods: A total of 101 patients with T2DM and dyslipidemia were randomized to either rosuvastatin monotherapy (5 mg/day, n=47) or rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy (5 mg/10 mg/day, n=45) and treated for 12 weeks. Serum lipids, glucose, insulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4) levels were determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: The reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by more than 50% from baseline after treatment was more in the combination therapy group. The serum sICAM-1 levels increased significantly in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups. The significant changes in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and PRDX4 were confirmed only in the subgroup in which LDL-C was reduced by 50% or more in the combination therapy group. However, after adjusting for diabetes mellitus duration and hypertension, the changes in HOMA-IR and PRDX4 were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion Although rosuvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy had a greater LDL-C reduction effect than rosuvastatin monotherapy, it had no additional effects on insulin sensitivity and vascular inflammatory response. Further studies are needed on the effect of long-term treatment with ezetimibe on insulin sensitivity and vascular inflammatory response.