Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Isfahan Medical School 1027-7595 43 827 2025 09 23 Serum Spexin Level Is Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Serum Spexin Level Is Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes 990 991 33105 10.48305/jims.v43.i827.0990 FA Hassan Mehrad-Majd Associate Professor of Molecular Medicine, Clinical Research Development Center, Ghaem Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0002-8745-6558 Mohammad Ali Yaghoubi Associate Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0002-0748-7021 Journal Article 2025 05 28 Background: Spexin, a neuropeptide involved in various physiological processes such as energy metabolism and insulin resistance, has been suggested as a biomarker for metabolic disorders. Preliminary findings indicate that decreased spexin levels may be associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum spexin levels and diabetic retinopathy, as well as some related clinical indices, in an Iranian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: In this study, 72 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, divided into two groups of 36 with and without diabetic retinopathy, were enrolled. Serum spexin levels were measured using the ELISA method, and compared between the two groups. Additionally, demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected, and their correlation with serum spexin levels was assessed using appropriate statistical tests. Findings: Spexin levels were significantly lower in patients with DR compared to those without (121.79 ± 29.0 ng/mL vs. 166.79 ± 32.18 ng/mL, P < 0.001). However, no correlation was found between spexin levels and other metabolic parameters (P > 0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that a spexin concentration of 150.55 ng/mL (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI:0.77–0.94) could serve as an optimal cut-off point for differentiating between diabetic patients with and without retinopathy with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 90%. Conclusion: Lower serum levels of spexin are associated with the risk of DR, suggesting a potential role of this peptide in the development of .diabetes-related ocular complications Background: Spexin, a neuropeptide involved in various physiological processes such as energy metabolism and insulin resistance, has been suggested as a biomarker for metabolic disorders. Preliminary findings indicate that decreased spexin levels may be associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum spexin levels and diabetic retinopathy, as well as some related clinical indices, in an Iranian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: In this study, 72 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, divided into two groups of 36 with and without diabetic retinopathy, were enrolled. Serum spexin levels were measured using the ELISA method, and compared between the two groups. Additionally, demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected, and their correlation with serum spexin levels was assessed using appropriate statistical tests. Findings: Spexin levels were significantly lower in patients with DR compared to those without (121.79 ± 29.0 ng/mL vs. 166.79 ± 32.18 ng/mL, P < 0.001). However, no correlation was found between spexin levels and other metabolic parameters (P > 0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that a spexin concentration of 150.55 ng/mL (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI:0.77–0.94) could serve as an optimal cut-off point for differentiating between diabetic patients with and without retinopathy with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 90%. Conclusion: Lower serum levels of spexin are associated with the risk of DR, suggesting a potential role of this peptide in the development of .diabetes-related ocular complications

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