Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein cannot independently predict type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nested case‐control study

Abstract Background Cross‐sectional studies have reported a close association between serum lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein ( LBP ) and many metabolic disorders. However, no longitudinal study has explored the relationship between LBP and type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ). The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum LBP levels and the risk of developing T2DM . Methods A 5‐year nested case‐control study of 3510 individuals was performed as part of the E nvironment, I nflammation and M etabolic D iseases S tudy ( EIMDS ). Clinical data were collected at baseline. Serum levels of LBP and other biochemical factors, such as insulin and high‐sensitivity C ‐reactive protein, were detected 5 years later. Subjects were diagnosed as having T2DM on the basis of results of an oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT ) and 1998 W orld H ealth O rganization criteria. Controls were randomly selected to match cases according to age, gender, and body mass index ( BMI ) in a 1:1 ratio. Odds ratios ( OR ) for T2DM were calculated using conditional logistic regression analysis. Results Over a 5‐year follow‐up period, 255 subjects developed T2DM . There was no significant difference in serum LBP levels between the T2DM and control groups at baseline (19.78 ± 6.40 versus 20.53 ± 6.99 μ g/mL; P = 0.207). Subjects were divided into three groups based on tertiles of LBP concentrations ( n = 170 in each group; T1 = 1.31–17.16 μ g/mL LBP ; T2 = 17.21–22.37 μ g/mL LBP ; T 3 = 22.49–40.08 μ g/mL LBP ). There was no significant association between the risk of developing T 2DM and any of the LBP tertiles in either a simple model or after adjusting for general status and biochemical factors. Conclusion After matching for gender, age, and BMI , LBP does not improve prediction of the development of T2DM independently.