Jin-Ook Chung

Physiological serum bilirubin concentrations are inversely associated with the prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Although severe hyperbilirubinaemia causes kernicterus in neonates, normal to modestly elevated bilirubin concentrations have been reported to be neuroprotective. However, the relationship between serum bilirubin concentrations and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes is currently unknown. This study assessed the relationships between physiological serum total bilirubin concentrations and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Serum bilirubin concentrations are positively associated with serum C‐peptide levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes

To investigate the relationship between physiological serum total bilirubin concentrations and serum C‐peptide levels in Korean patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels are positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes

To assess the relationship between plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels and diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Serum Cystatin C Levels are Positively Associated with Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

AIMS Previous studies have reported that cystatin C is associated with degenerative disorder in the nervous system. However, the relationship between serum cystatin C concentrations and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with type 2 diabetes is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between serum cystatin C levels and CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 357 patients with type 2 diabetes were studied in this cross-sectional study. CAN was diagnosed by a cardiovascular autonomic reflex test. According to the American Diabetes Association criteria, the degree of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction was graded as normal, early, definite, or severe. CAN was either definite or severe in the subjects of the present study. RESULTS Serum cystatin C concentrations were significantly higher in patients with CAN than in those without CAN. The mean cystatin C levels differed significantly according to the degree of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (normal, 0.78 mg/l; early, 0.79 mg/l; definite, 0.87 mg/l; severe, 0.90 mg/l; P for trend=0.021) after adjustment for other covariates. In multivariate analysis, serum cystatin C levels were significantly associated with CAN (odds ratio [OR] of each standard deviation increase in the logarithmic value, 5.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-23.70, P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS Serum cystatin C levels are positively associated with CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes.