Serum Circulating Irisin Is A Promising Prognostic Biomarker Of Diabetes-Mediated Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus stands out as a primary independent risk factor, significantly advancing fatal cardiovascular pathophysiology through the acceleration of atherosclerosis, a key factor in the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Notably, the comparative risk is stated to be higher in Pakistan than in other Asian countries. There is a critical need for effective measures to identify novel and dependable prognostic biomarkers to mitigate the chronic consequences faced by the diabetic population in Pakistan.

Irisin, a muscle-derived factor secreted during endurance exercise, has gained attention due to its potential crosstalk with CVDs. This study aims to evaluate the serum stages of irisin in Pakistani individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), both male and female, with atherosclerosis, and to explore potential associations between the biomarker and other relevant parameters. In this case-control study, 435 volunteers participated, including 145 with type 2 diabetes, 145 with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis (T2DM-ASCVD), and 145 healthy controls, meeting specific inclusion criteria. Serum levels of irisin and insulin were measured by means of sandwich ELISA.

The results revealed a significant decrease in irisin levels in both type 2 diabetic and T2DM-ASCVD groups compared to healthy subjects. Notably, statistically significant Spearman correlations were observed between irisin levels and fasting blood glucose in both T2DM and T2DM-ASCVD groups. In conclusion, this study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to shed light on the positive correlation between irisin levels and atherosclerotic diabetes patients. This suggests the potential utility of irisin as an effective prognostic biomarker for monitoring and preventing the progression of CVDs in diabetes-mediated cardiovascular impairment.