Body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The link between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and adipokines is controversial. Some studies suggest that visceral fat and adipokines could be additional risk factors for DR. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between abdominal fat or adipokine secretion and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).


METHODS
A total of 179 patients with type 2 DM were included. Each patient underwent measurement of plasma adiponectin and leptin and an evaluation of body fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous) with MRI. The severity of DR was evaluated according to the classification of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patients were classified in 3 groups: absence of DR, mild and moderate DR, and advanced DR (severe, proliferative and laser-treated DR).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the 3 groups for adiponectin, leptin and visceral or subcutaneous fat accumulation. Patients with DR had a mean duration of diabetes, serum creatinine concentration and percentage of macroalbuminuria significantly higher than patients without DR (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Serum adiponectin increased with the diabetic nephropathy stage (p = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with DR in patients with type 2 DM.
Department of Ophthalmology, CRI INSERM 866, University Hospital, Dijon, France.
D
D
Dossarps
J M
JM
Petit
B
B
Guiu
J P
JP
Cercueil
L
L
Duvillard
A M
AM
Bron
C
C
Creuzot-Garcher
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000097:blood; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D052242:Adiponectin; D020738:Leptin; D003404:Creatinine