Soluble transferrin receptors and ferritin in Type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Hernández
C
C
Diabetes Research Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Lecube
A
A
Carrera
A
A
Simó
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood*
D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins