Circulating Chemerin Levels are Increased in First-Degree Relatives of Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Chemerin is an important risk factor of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of chemerin in the early stage of diabetes development. Methods: 63 control subjects without any family history of diabetes and with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 74 healthy, first-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetic patients were recruited in the study. All subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) test after having fasted overnight. Plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, chemerin, and adiponectin were measured. Results: FDR subjects had higher BMI, WHR, waist, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, TG, UA, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and lower HDL- C levels than control subjects (p < 0.05). The FDRs group had significantly lower adiponectin levels while chemerin was higher. Plasma chemerin levels were independently correlated with HOMA-IR, FINS, TG, FPG, and adiponectin level. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR and TG were independent risk factors that influenced circulating chemerin levels. Conclusions: These findings showed a significant increase of chemerin levels in FDR subjects which suggested that chemerin may be involved in the development and progression of insulin resistance.