Association between FTO gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus, serum levels of apelin and androgen hormones among Iranian obese women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies show that FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). On the other hand, many animal models and clinical studies have demonstrated that apelin, an adipocytokine, is related to the obesity and T2DM. Additionally, obese women are at risk of Hyperandrogenemia. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between FTO variants (rs763967273, rs759031579, rs141115189, rs9926289, rs76804286 and rs9939609) with T2DM, serum apelin and androgenic hormones in Iranian obese women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 197 obese women (123 women with T2DM and 74 women as healthy control) were participated in this study. Anthropometrical and biochemical characteristics were measured. Serum apelin and androgen hormones levels were determined in 66 subjects consisting of 33 cases and 33 controls. PCR were carried out and subsequently, the PCR production was genotyped by Sanger sequencing assay. RESULTS: Our observations showed that all SNPs are related to T2DM. The rs9926289 FTO variant had a strong association with serum apelin and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively) among SNPs. In addition, apelin and androgenic hormones were correlated with T2DM. Two polymorphisms including rs9939609 and rs9926289 had a strong Linkage disequilibrium (r2=1). CONCLUSION: FTO variants not only were associated with T2DM, but also some variants had a strong association with apelin and androgenic hormones profile.

MicroRNAs and adipocytokines: Promising biomarkers for pharmacological targets in diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Nowadays, diabetes mellitus (DM) along with its complications is considered as a fundamental problem in both developing and industrial countries, and is causing millions of people to suffer worldwide. Currently, diabetes mellitus is diagnosed traditionally or classically in the world by measuring fasting blood glucose and conducting oral glucose tolerance test. New alternatives are required for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), at its early levels due to the ineffective control of its development in patients. In recent years, by further identifying of molecular agents such as microRNAs (miRNAs), studies have focused on miRNAs in diabetes as well as in other diseases. These small non-coding RNA molecules have a significant role in the regulation of insulin gene expression and also, obesity problems. White adipose tissue, as an important tissue in obese subjects, is directly related to type 2 diabetes and its complications via synthesis of adipokines. Prevention and treatment of obesity should be noted since childhood. Our aim in this review is to briefly provide a new glance at types of potential biomarkers, which can be used as pharmacological targets for prevention and treatment of prediabetic subjects, and patients with T2DM.

An overview on biological functions and emerging therapeutic roles of apelin in diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common type of diabetes and considered as multifactorial disease. Apelin is an adipokine which secreted from white adipose tissue and involved in various functions such as insulin sensitivity and food intake. Many studies showed that apelin has a crucial role in diabetes and its concentration will change in relation with insulin resistance. In this review, we will discuss the roles of apelin in energy metabolism and pathogenesis of diabetes and explain why apelin can be a good candidate adipokine to promoting insulin sensitivity.