The association of soluble CD163, a novel biomarker of macrophage activation, with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its underlying physiological disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review investigates the association of sCD163, a novel biomarker of macrophage activation, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), insulin resistance, and beta‐cell dysfunction. Sixteen studies (seven cross‐sectional, two case–control, one nested case–control, three prospective cohort, and three experimental) were identified. Most studies demonstrated that elevated sCD163 concentrations were associated with increased insulin resistance. Cross‐sectional, case–control, and nested case–control studies showed higher sCD163 in subjects with T2DM compared with healthy individuals. An 18‐year follow‐up prospective cohort study showed that elevated baseline sCD163 was a strong predictor of T2DM incidence. Prospective cohort studies demonstrated that baseline measures and longitudinal changes in sCD163 were positively associated with insulin resistance; however, associations with beta‐cell function were inconsistent. Two experimental studies evaluated the relationship of sCD163 with T2DM and HOMA‐IR after weight‐reducing interventions. After very low‐calorie diet treatments, sCD163 concentration declined significantly in patients with T2DM but was not associated with insulin resistance. Bariatric surgery did not significantly impact sCD163 levels. In a double‐blind randomized controlled trial, resveratrol supplementation significantly reduced circulating sCD163 in T2DM patients. Current studies demonstrate the potential utility of sCD163 as an early biomarker of T2DM risk and highlight a potential mechanism linking obesity with T2DM onset.