SEX HORMONE-BINDING GLOBULIN IN OBESE TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is recognized as a public health problem of pandemic proportions. Most patients with type 2 diabetes are obese with varying degrees of gender-related adiposity and fat tissue distribution. Obesity is a well-known indirect risk for type 2 diabetes because of its association with insulin resistance and consequent glycemic control impairment. Recently, a great concern was paid in respect to the role of Sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and adipose tissue hormones in the development of insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes. Previous studies suggested that serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has a role in glucose homeostasis in both men and women and low levels are associated with development of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Aim of the work: to determine the relationship between serum sex hormone-binding globulin, obesity, and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes in both sex. Methods: forty obese type 2 diabetic patients were selected and compared with ten obese non-diabetics as control. After complete examination; insulin level, fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, triglycerides and serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin were measured. Results: the mean SHBG concentration was lower in diabetic group (18.95±3.4 nmol/L) than non-diabetic group (35.17±8nmol/L). There were significant inverse associations between SHBG, Age, disease duration, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, postprandial glucose. On the other hand there were no significant correlations between SHBG and waist circumference, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: low SHBG is associated with hyperglycemia in both males and females, independently of insulinemia. Key Words: sex hormone binding globulin, Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Obesity