Association of serum Sestrin-2 level with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between serum Sestrin2, Insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and methods The study group consisted of 155 patients with T2DM who were recruited and evaluated for DN. IR was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Sestrin2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum Sestrin2 levels showed significant positive correlations with tumor necrosis factor-α (r=0.247, P=0.018), triglycerides (r=0.178, P=0.021), total cholesterol (r=0.33, P=0.007), fasting c-peptide (r=0.164, P=0.035), and systolic blood pressure (r=0.171, P=0.041). A significant negative correlation was found between Sestrin2 levels and serum adiponectin (r=0.247, P=0.018). Also, Sestrin2 levels were positively correlated HOMA-IR (r=0.188, P=0.026). There was a progressive significant increase of mean HOMA-IR through Sestrin2 tertiles (P=0.001). A significant increase of mean serum Sestrin2 levels was found in relation to the presence of DN or MetS. Conclusion Serum Sestrin2 levels are significantly associated with IR, MetS, and DN in patients with T2DM.