Low serum omentin levels in the elderly population with Type 2 diabetes and polyneuropathy

AimsTo investigate the hypothesis that high serum levels of omentin, an adipokine with anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and cardioprotective properties, may be related to a lower risk of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. MethodsThe association between serum omentin level and polyneuropathy was estimated in people aged 61-82years with Type 2 diabetes (47 with and 168 without polyneuropathy) from the population-based KORA F4 study. The presence of clinical diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy was defined as bilateral impairment of foot vibration perception and/or foot pressure sensation. Omentin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsSerum omentin level was inversely associated with polyneuropathy after adjustment for age, sex, height, waist circumference, hypertension, total cholesterol, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity [odds ratio 0.45 (95% CI 0.21-0.98); P=0.043]. Although omentin was positively correlated with adiponectin (r=0.55, P<0.0001) and inversely with tumour necrosis factor- (r=-0.30, P=0.019), additional adjustment for adiponectin and tumour necrosis factor- had little impact on the association. ConclusionsSerum levels of omentin are reduced in people with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy, independently of established risk factors of polyneuropathy. This association is only partially explained by biomarkers of subclinical inflammation.