[Association between both resistin, visfatin and insulin resistance as well as β cell function in the first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Objective: To study the association between the levels of serum resistin, visfatin and insulin resistance as well as β-cell dysfunction in the first-degree relatives (FDR) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate the role of these adipocytokines in pathogenesis of T2DM.

Methods: Serum levels of resistin, visfatin as well as fasting true insulin (FTI), proinsulin (FPI) levels were measured in 71 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. 55 subjects with IGT/IFG and 174 NGT from first-degree relatives of T2DM, and 114 subjects of NGT without T2DM family history served as control group (NC). Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and β-cell function was evaluated by HOMA-β and fasting PI-to-TI ratio (FPI/TI). Lipid profile, liver function and kidney function were also tested. Anthropometrical parameters such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure were also recorded and life style and food intake spectrum investigated.

Results: (1) There were no significant differences of serum resistin levels among the four groups (P>0.05). The serum resistin level was not correlated with HomA-IR, HomA-β and obesity markers (P>0.05).(2) The serum visfatin levels of DM group, IGT/IFG and NGT group were lower than the NC group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference among DM group, IGT/IFG group and NGT. The serum visfatin level was not correlated with HOMA-IR and obesity markers (P>0.05), but negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose and blood pressure (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The adipokine profile in FDRs of T2DM had distinctively altered before the development of impaired glucose tolerance. Serum levels of visfatin, showed a favorable effect on glucose metabolism also had a significant decrease on serum levels in the early stage of T2DM.