BACKGROUND: Metrnl is a novel identified adipomyokine which might have therapeutic potential for metabolic and inflammatory diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to explore the associations of circulating Metrnl level with β-cell function and insulin resistance (IR) and further explore the possible correlation between Metrnl and another adipomyokine named irisin in patients diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study recruited 59 participants with type 2 diabetes and 30 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) participants. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum levels of Metrnl and irisin. The associations of Metrnl level with indexes of β-cell function and IR and irisin level were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis or spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS: Compared with NGT participants, serum Metrnl level was elevated in participants with type 2 diabetes: 210.30 pg/mL (range 105.94–323.91 pg/mL) versus 132.02 pg/mL (range 104.93–195.92 pg/mL). Metrnl level did not show significant correlation with β-cell function-related indicators, but positively correlated with HOMA2-IR and negatively correlated with HOMA2-%S after controlling multiple covariates in participants with type 2 diabetes. Metrnl level was also not associated with obesity-related indicators (body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue area) in the type 2 diabetes group. In addition, the correlation between Metrnl and irisin level was also not present (r=–0.159, P=0.229) in type 2 diabetes group.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum Metrnl level was associated with IR, but not with β-cell function in participants with diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Cytokines, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Insulin Resistance, Insulin-Secreting Cells, adipokines, Blood Glucose, Body Mass Index, Fibronectins, Glucose, Insulin, Obesity, waist circumference