DefinePK

Abstract

Background & objective: Recent research has identified various biomarkers in metabolic diseases, which can indicate the severity and the outcome of the disease. This study aimed to compare serum Apelin levels between obese and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and investigate their relationship with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators. By analyzing these connections, the study attempted to clarify Apelin’s role in obesity-related cardio-metabolic risks and its potential as a biomarker for better T2DM management.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included a total of 200 patients, divided into two groups: 100 obese and 100 non-obese T2DM patients, and their anthropometric and clinical data, including weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC), and blood pressure, were collected. We measured serum Apelin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and lipid profile, and analyzed correlations between Apelin levels with the study parameters.
Results: Serum Apelin levels were significantly higher in obese T2DM patients compared to non-obese T2DM patients (P < 0.000). Apelin levels exhibited a positive but weak correlation with weight (r = 0.150), BMI (r = 0.384), WC (r = 0.331), and HC (r = 0.422). Diastolic blood pressure showed an average positive correlation with Apelin (r = 0.224). FBS levels were negatively correlated with Apelin (r = -0.214, P < 0.0001) while HbA1c and serum Apelin had a weak and statistically insignificant correlation (r = 0.064). Serum total cholesterol TC (r = 0.194) and triglycerides TG (r = 0.146) had weak positive correlations with Apelin, while High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) exhibited a significant, negative correlation (r = -0.253).
Conclusion: Elevated serum Apelin levels observed in obese T2DM patients indicate a potential compensatory mechanism in response to obesity-related complications. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the exact role of Apelin in the pathophysiology of T2DM, particularly in the context of obesity.
Abbreviations: BMI: Body Mass Index, T2DM: type 2 diabetes mellitus, FBS: fasting blood sugar, HDL: High-Density Lipoproteins, HC: hip circumference, WC: waist circumference
Keywords: Apelin; Diabetes Mellitus; Obesity; Cardiometabolic risks; Pakistan
Citation: Rehman S, Aziz Q, Aziz IA, Nangrejo R, Ahmed I, Fawwad A. Comparative analysis of apelin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus among the obese and non-obese population of Karachi, Pakistan. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(7):719-726. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i7.2966
Received: May 09, 2025; Revised: October 26, 2024; Accepted: January 01, 2025