Role of Fetuin-A in Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To determine the role of fetuin-A in triggering insulin resistance and leading to development of type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross sectional, case control study was conducted at Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC). Time duration of the study was from February 2012 to September 2013. A total of 150 subjects were included by random sampling out of which 50 were known type 2 diabetics, 50 were having impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and 50 were normal healthy individuals. Detailed history taking, clinical examination and body mass index (BMI) calculation were done. Laboratory investigations included serum fasting glucose, measured by glucose oxidase method and serum insulin and serum fetuin-A levels that were measured by ELISA method. Insulin resistance was calculated by Homeostatic model assessment, (HOMA IR). Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS Version 16. Results: We observed that serum fetuin-A levels were significantly higher in known type 2 diabetics as compared to impaired fasting glycaemics and controls (p<0.01). Serum insulin and HOMA IR were also significantly elevated in known type 2 diabetics when compared to impaired fasting glycaemics and healthy individuals (p<0.01). Body mass index was also significantly higher in known type 2 diabetics and impaired fasting glycaemics when compared to controls (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that higher serum fetuin-A levels have a possible role in promoting insulin resistance and development of diabetes mellitus type 2.