Retinol binding protein proves to be a marker of risk for diabetes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that retinol binding protein is elevated in cases of diabetes and diabetes risk.
Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP-4) has previously been known as a vitamin A transporter. But researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center show that it plays an important role in diabetes as well. Animal studies showed RBP-4 can cause insulin resistance and these studies have now been extended to humans.

People with insulin resistance – a major cause of diabetes – others with type 2 diabetes itself and obese people who are at risk of diabetes all proved to have elevated levels of RBP-4. Similarly, those of normal body weight and normal blood glucose but with a family history of diabetes also had higher than expected RBP-4. Finally, exercise – which is known to reduce insulin resistance – was able to reduce RBP-4 as well. In other words, RBP-4 levels are an important ‘marker’ for type 2 diabetes. Testing RBP-4 could be a valuable way of monitoring interventions for type 2 diabetes, and could also help early diagnosis. And, of course, targeting RBP-4 could form the basis of a new approach to treatment.

Source
New England Journal of Medicine 15th June 2006

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