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Soluble transferrin receptors and ferritin in Type 2 diabetic patients
Author(s) -
Hernández C.,
Lecube A.,
Carrera A.,
Simó R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2004.01331.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ferritin , soluble transferrin receptor , nephelometry , endocrinology , transferrin , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , population , immunology , iron deficiency , anemia , iron status , antibody , environmental health
Aim To determine circulating transferrin receptor levels (sTfR) in Type 2 diabetic patients to evaluate whether serum ferritin reflects iron body stores or inflammation in diabetic population. Methods A total of 84 consecutive Type 2 diabetic patients and 60 healthy subjects matched by age and gender were included in this case‐control study. Ferritin concentration was measured by a turbidimetric method and sTfR concentration were determined by nephelometry. Results Diabetic patients have higher serum ferritin levels than control subjects [114 ng/ml (12–831) vs. 74 ng/ml (11–697); P = 0.006]. However, no differences in sTfR concentrations were observed between both groups [1.27 mg/l (0.69–2.47) vs. 1.24 mg/l (0.77–2.80); P = NS]. A negative correlation between ferritin and sTfR concentration was detected in control subjects but not in diabetic patients. Conclusions Serum ferritin levels are increased in Type 2 diabetic patients in the absence of a reciprocal decrease of sTfR. This finding suggests that elevated ferritin levels in Type 2 diabetes are mainly as a result of inflammatory mechanisms rather than iron overload.