Association between plasma PCSK9 and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted proprotein convertase acting as a natural inhibitor of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. Here, we prospectively investigated the relationship between the circulating levels of PCSK9 and metabolic parameters in 117 diabetic patients.


RESULTS
Plasma PCSK9 level was significantly higher in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes (P=0.04), in diabetic patients under statins (P<10(-4)) and in those with macrovascular complications (P=0.002). Univariable regression analysis revealed that plasma PCSK9 level correlated positively with age (P=0.003), body mass index (P=0.04), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P=0.01), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels (P=0.0002) and statin treatment (P=0.001). In a multivariable linear regression analysis, PCSK9 correlated positively with GGT level (beta=21.91, P=0.0019) after adjustment for gender, age, type of diabetes, statin treatment, BMI, SBP and HbA1c.


CONCLUSIONS
PCSK9 level was independently associated with GGT level in diabetic patients, suggesting potential interaction between PCSK9 and liver function.
Cariou
Bertrand
B
INSERM, U915, Nantes F-44000, France. bertrand.cariou@univ-nantes.fr
Le Bras
Maëlle
M
Langhi
Cédric
C
Le May
Cédric
C
Guyomarc'h-Delasalle
Béatrice
B
Krempf
Michel
M
Costet
Philippe
P
D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C472125:PCSK9 protein, human