Insulin treatment corrects hepcidin but not YKL-40 levels in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus matched by body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, C-reactive protein and Creatinine

BACKGROUND It has been shown that hepcidin and YKL-40 levels change in persons with insulin resistance in different circumstances. However, variations of the levels of these parameters through the stages of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus are unclear. We hypothesized that hepcidin levels will decrease in persons with prediabetes, while these levels will tend to correct when persons with diabetes are treated with insulin. Finally we sought to determine the levels of YKL-40 in all groups of participants included in the study. METHODS Serum hepcidin levels and YKL-40 levels were measured in control group (n = 20), persons with prediabetes (n = 30) and persons with diabetes on insulin therapy (n = 30) using ELISA method. Patients in all three groups were matched by Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Height Ratio, C-Reactive Protein and creatinine levels. RESULTS Hepcidin levels were lower in persons with prediabetes compared to control, while persons with diabetes on insulin therapy had higher values than those with prediabetes (p = 0,00001). YKL-40 levels showed no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS Serum hepcidin levels in matched persons with prediabetes are a stronger marker of early changes in glucose metabolism compared to YKL-40 levels. Also, treatment with insulin corrects hepcidin levels, but not YKL-40 levels. Correcting levels of hepcidin is important for reducing iron-overload, which is a risk factor for diabetes.