Relationship between serum ferritin and inflammatory biomarkers with insulin resistance in a Persian population with type 2 diabetes and healthy people

Abstract

Background The correlation between body iron stores and inflammation with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is not thoroughly investigated, especially in the Persian population.

Methods A cross-sectional study was designed in Tehran, Iran. Fifty-four people with type 2 diabetes and 53 matched healthy participants were included. Serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in both groups.

Results Diabetic patients had higher insulin resistance, hemoglobin A₁C and serum ferritin. Significant positive correlations were observed between insulin resistance with serum ferritin and tumor necrosis factor-α and between serum ferritin and tumor necrosis factor-α in diabetic patients.

Conclusions Inter-relationship between insulin resistance, serum ferritin and TNF-α was found in type 2 diabetic patients. Serum iron even in the normal range had positive correlation with insulin resistance. It may be because the normal ranges determined for serum ferritin are too wide and the criteria for iron overload are too high.