The following is a summary of “Serum levels of Activin A: Marker of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in prediabetics” published in the October 2022 issue of Family Medicine and Primary Care by Chauhan et al.

Cardiovascular problems account for a sizable amount of the health burden experienced by diabetics. The need to develop new indicators for early assessment and therapy is justified by the rising risk of cardiovascular consequences throughout the range of dysglycemia. A multifunctional cytokine with a significant impact on vascular disorders and glucose balance is Activin A. Thus, it can act as a guide for early detection of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in those with prediabetes. For a study, researchers sought to examine the serum activin A levels in prediabetics, compare those levels to those of normoglycemic controls, and determine if activin A correlates with insulin resistance measures such as the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

In the research, 60 prediabetic patients and 60 controls with matching age, sex, blood pressure, and BMI were recruited. Serum levels of fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting insulin were assessed in both groups. Values for HOMA-IR were computed. ELISA was used to assess the levels of serum activin A in both groups. The two groups’ acquired values were contrasted.

The case group’s median (IQR) s. fasting insulin level (mIU/L) was 15.3 (12.2-18.62), which was considerably higher than the control group’s level of 6 (4.2–7.3). The case group’s median (IQR) level of s. activin A (ng/mL) was 263.55 (227.18-279.56), which was substantially higher than the control group’s median (IQR) level of 159.9 (150.73-178.75) (P< 0.001). The connection between s. activin A (ng/mL), s. fasting insulin (mIU/L), and HOMA-IR was extremely positive (rho = 0.67 and 0.75, respectively, P< 0.001).

Combining Activin A with other atherosclerotic indicators may help prediabetics better assess their insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. It may help them focus on making lifestyle changes and receiving preventative medical care, reducing their risk of CVD-related mortality and morbidity.

Reference: journals.lww.com/jfmpc/Fulltext/2022/10000/Serum_levels_of_Activin_A__Marker_of_insulin.17.aspx