Obestatin Level and some Biochemical Parameters in Type 2 Diabetic Women Attending Medical Relief Center in Gaza Governorate

Abstract

Background: Obestatin is a novel 23-amino acid peptide derived from the mammalian prepro-ghrelin polypeptide. Recent studies demonstrated that obestatin is a metabolic hormone associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, assessment the status of obestatin and clarifying such association in diabetes could constitute a promising therapy of the disease. Objective: To asses obestatin level and some biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetic women attending Mediacl Relief Center in Gaza. Materials and Methods: This case-control study comprised 64 type 2 diabetic women and 64 healthy non diabetic women. Questionnaire interview was applied. Serum obestatin was measured by ELISA. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), urea and creatinine were determined. Blood HbA1c was also measured. Data were computer analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The mean ages of controls and cases were 52.7±8.9 and 52.9±8.3 years. Type 2 diabetes was found to be significantly associated with family history and diet. More than half of patients had diabetes since less than 5 years. The main self-reported complications among patients were neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. The longer the duration of diabetes, the higher the prevalence of self-reported complications. The mean level of serum obestatin was significantly lower in diabetic women compared to healthy non diabetic controls (3.4±0.8 ng/ml vs. 4.1±1.5 ng/ml, P=0.023).The mean HbA1c and glucose levels in cases were significantly higher than that in controls (6.4±0.9 and 190.7±86.7 vs 4.7±0.6 and 101.6±21.0) with P=0.000. The Pearson correlation test showed negative significant correlations between obestatin levels and HbA1c and glucose (r=-0.320, P=0.009 and r=-0.469, P=0.000 respectively). The average level of triglycerides was significantly increased in diabetic women (183.3±80.0mg/dl) compared to controls (122.4±42.9 mg/dl) with P=0.000. On the other hand, HDL-C was significantly lower in cases (40.7±11.2vs. 47.2±12.0mg/dl, % difference=14.8 and t=2.228, P=0.030). The Pearson correlation test showed negative significant correlations between obestatin levels and triglycerides levels (r=-0.275, P=0.026). Conclusions: Serum obestatin was significantly lower in diabetic women compared to healthy non diabetic women. There were negative significant associations between obestatin levels with HbA1c, glucose and triglycerides levels.