Serum Tsukushi levels are elevated in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract Aims Tsukushi, a newly identified hepatokine, has been recently characterized as a potent modifier in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis, but the role of Tsukushi in diabetes remains almost unknown. We detected for the first time the serum Tsukushi levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, exploring the relationship between Tsukushi and various metabolic parameters. Methods A total of 172 participants were recruited, including 86 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 86 subjects with normal glucose tolerance according to oral glucose tolerance test. Serum Tsukushi was measured by ELISA. The insulin resistance, pancreas β-cell function and insulin sensitivity were determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR, HOMA-β), Stumvoll insulin sensitivity index (ISIstumvoll) and Stumvoll metabolic clearance rate (MCRstumvoll). Results Serum Tsukushi was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes than in normal glucose tolerance [1.22(0.86,1.74) vs 0.8(0.5,1.38) ng/mL; P  Conclusions Circulating Tsukushi levels significantly increase in patients with type 2 diabetes, which suggest that Tsukushi may play a role in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.