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Study: No correlation between body fat, diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes
HAMBURG — Body fat distribution and adipokine secretion were not associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a study carried out at the University of Dijon, France, a speaker said here.
“Diabetic retinopathy is first cause of blindness in people aged 50 years or less in industrialized countries. In addition to well-recognized risk factors, such as duration of diabetes, poor glycemic and blood pressure control, excess visceral fat has been suggested to play a role by some studies,” Denis Dossarps, MD, said during the Euretina meeting.
Denis Dossarps
Adipose tissue secretes specific hormones, the adipokines. Obesity modifies adipokine secretion by decreasing adiponectin and increasing leptin, Dossarps explained.
“Adiponectin improves insulin sensitivity and decreases arteriosclerosis and neovascularization, while leptin decreases insulin sensitivity, regulates appetite and promotes neovascularization,” he said.
The study analyzed 179 patients with type 2 diabetes. Measurement of visceral and subcutaneous fat by MRI and measurement of serum adiponectin and leptin were taken. Assessment of diabetic nephropathy was performed.
“We used the AAO classification to grade the severity of DR (diabetic retinopathy) and divided patients in 3 groups according to absence of DR, simple DR or advanced DR. A total of 69 patients were found to have DR,” Dossarp said.
No significant difference was found in the 3 groups in relation to visceral or subcutaneous fat, as well as levels of adiponectin and leptin, leading to the conclusion that no association could be made in the study between abdominal fat or adipokine secretion and diabetic retinopathy.
Disclosure: Dossarp has no relevant financial disclosures.