Serum C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) Levels in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Healthy Controls: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and persistent hyperglycemia. C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties that has been implicated in glucose and lipid metabolism. However, its association with dyslipidemia in T2DM remains incompletely understood.

Objective: To compare serum CTRP3 concentrations between patients with T2DM and healthy controls and to evaluate the association of CTRP3 with glycaemic and lipid profile parameters.

Methods: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 participants, including 30 patients with established T2DM and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls recruited from Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Serum CTRP3 concentrations were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile parameters were analyzed using standard automated biochemical methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess associations between CTRP3 and biochemical variables.

Results: Serum CTRP3 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with T2DM than in healthy controls (405 ± 82.5 vs. 559 ± 124 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Serum CTRP3 showed a significant inverse correlation with FBS (r = −0.434, P = 0.017) and triglycerides (r = −0.423, P = 0.020). Negative correlations were observed with HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol showed a positive correlation; however, these associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Serum CTRP3 concentrations were significantly reduced in patients with T2DM and were inversely associated with fasting blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations. These findings suggest that CTRP3 may serve as a potential biomarker of metabolic dysfunction in T2DM. Larger prospective studies are required to determine its role in predicting disease progression and diabetes-related complications.