Retinol-binding protein 4 better correlates with metabolic syndrome than cystatin C

Abstract

Background: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and cystatin C are regarded as novel metabolic risk markers. Therefore, we aimed to examine which one of these biomarkers better correlates with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a cohort of postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 129 postmenopausal women (among which 62 women had MetS) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. MetS was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: Cystatin C and RBP4 levels were significantly higher in women with MetS, compared to those without MetS (p=0.011 vs. p<0.001, respectively). A significant difference in the proportion of women with and without MetS across cystatin C and RBP4 quartiles was observed (χ2=5.1, p=0.025, and χ2=11.1, p=0.001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed a borderline significant relationship between cystatin C and MetS (p=0.066), but this significance disappeared after adjustment for age, inflammation level and duration of menopause (p=0.221). On the contrary, a significant relationship between RBP4 and MetS was observed not only without adjustment (p=0.009), but also even after adjustment for age, inflammation level and duration of menopause (p=0.006). Conclusions: RBP4 better correlates with MetS than cystatin C in postmenopausal women.