Abstract

In addition to its role in energy storage, adipose tissue produces several hormones and cytokines termed adipokines that have widespread effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Omentin-1 is a newly identified adipokine that is highly and selectively expressed in visceral adipose tissue relative to subcutaneous adipose tissue. In some recent studies, it was shown to be decreased in obese and in insulin resistant female patients. In this study, intending to increase their knowledge about omentin-1 and its relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and obesity, they planned to point out the relationship between serum omentin-1 levels and insulin resistance in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. The study included 80 newly diagnosed female type 2 diabetic patients and 40 age matched female control subjects. Diabetic group had significantly lower plasma omentin-1 levels than the control group (p < 0.01). Both the diabetic and control groups who were insulin resistant had significantly lower  omentin-1 levels (p < 0.009 and p < 0.05 respectively) than the groups who were not insulin resistant. Positive weak correlations were obtained between age, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and omentin-1 levels, and negative weak correlations between body mass index, fasting blood glucose, post prandial blood glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, model assessment insulin resistance index and omentin-1 levels. In conclusion, omentin-1 levels were significantly low in diabetic patients and as insulin resistance worsened omentin-1 decreased. The data may point toward a role of omentin-1 in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Key words: Omentin-1, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance.