Low serum creatinine, a surrogate marker of muscle mass, correlates with insulin sensitivity in nonhuman primates

Abstract

Objectives: Decreased serum creatinine levels are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in humans, however, its association with muscle mass and insulin sensitivity have not been studied in NHPs.

Methods: Retrospective data of 229 adult NHPs were studied for association of serum creatinine levels with muscle mass and onset of T2DM.

Results: Serum creatinine levels were positively correlated with lean muscle mass in nondiabetic (non-DM), male and female NHPs. Aged NHPs had significantly reduced lean muscle mass and corresponding creatinine levels compared to young age groups (p < .001). Creatinine was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in nonDM male NHPs and significant decrease in creatinine was observed in T2DM (p < .001) compared to same age group nonDM NHPs.

Conclusions: The pathophysiology of T2DM in NHPs is similar to humans, low creatinine further provides utility of surrogate biomarkers of lower muscle mass and risk factor for T2DM NHPs.

Keywords: insulin sensitivity; muscle mass; serum creatinine; type 2 diabetes.