MG53 does not mark cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality in subjects with type 2 diabetes: A prospective, observational study

Aims: Subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. MG53, a marker of peripheral insulin resistance, has been linked with impaired 13-cell function and decreased 13-cell survival, and its circulating levels are increased in T2D. Its relationship with the cardiovascular risk profile and mortality in T2D is currently unknown. Methods: In this longitudinal study, MG53 was measured in serum samples collected at baseline for 296 Caucasian participants in the MIND.IT study, relating its circulating levels with the cardiovascular risk profile and all-cause mortality over a 17-years follow up. Results: As compared to a reference cohort of 234 healthy subjects, MG53 levels were higher in T2D individuals (p < 0.001), and higher in T2D women than in men (p = 0.001). In the whole study cohort, MG53 levels were directly related to HbA1c (r2 0.029; p = 0.006) and systolic blood pressure (r(2) 0.032; p = 0.004). There was no difference in baseline MG53 levels between deceased and alive participants, neither predict all-cause mortality. Conclusions: MG53 does not mark the cardiovascular risk profile neither predict long-term mortality in Caucasian T2D individuals.