Increased levels of insulin-degrading enzyme in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose Decreasing levels of serum insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) have been associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer´s disease (AD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research on serum IDE levels in patients with T2DM is sparse and the aim of this study was to explore serum levels of IDE in patients with T2DM. Method Blood serum samples were obtained from a biobank. Samples from subjects with T2DM and without metabolic disease were divided into subgroups; lifestyle treatment ( n = 10), oral antidiabetic treatment ( n = 17), insulin treatment ( n = 20) and metabolically healthy controls ( n = 18). Serum levels of IDE were analysed using specific ELISA assays. Results Serum levels of IDE were elevated in subjects with T2DM compared to metabolically healthy individuals ( p = 0.033). No significant differences were detected between treatment subgroups. Conclusion The present study indicates that patients with T2DM have increased serum IDE levels, compared to metabolically healthy individuals. However, for IDE to be clinically useful as a biomarker, its full function and possible use needs to be further elucidated in larger studies showing reproducible outcomes.