HbA1c and Plasma Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: The diabetic microvascular pathophysiology is associated with many chronic inflammatory processes triggered by some cytokines and growth factors. Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGFβ-1) is considered to be a key mediator of the pathogenesis of microvascular complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia. We analyzed the correlation between HbA1c and TGFβ-1 plasma levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Methods: We enrolled T2DM patients over the age of 18, then HbA1c level from venous blood samples supplemented with anticoagulants was measured by using HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). TGFβ-1 examination was performed by using ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Human TGFβ-1 quantizing ELISA (R&D) reagent. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation test.
Results: The number of research subjects was 30 patients. The median of HbA1c levels were 7.15% (4.7-13.6%). Median TGFβ-1 plasma levels were 150.8 pg/mL (23.6-2089.2 pg / mL). Spearman’s correlation test showed a strong and significant positive correlation between HbA1c and TGFβ-1 plasma levels in patients with T2DM (rs = 0.637; p <0.001).
Conclusion: There was a strong and significant positive correlation between HbA1c and TGFβ-1 plasma levels in T2DM patients.