Yan PJ, et al. - This cross-sectional study aimed to examine if the secretion of neuregulin 4 (Nrg4), a soluble protein associated with metabolic syndrome and subclinical cardiovascular disease, was correlated with the inflammation marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM). The physicians demonstared that in nT2DM patients, lower plasma Nrg4 levels could be correlated with elevated hs-CRP. It generated the hypothesis that decreased levels of Nrg4 could trigger the development of atherosclerosis through its proinflammatory effects. Additional prospective studies were required to confirm these findings.

• The physicians divided a study group of 311 nT2DM patients into 3 subgroups based on hs-CRP tertiles.
• They conducted multiple linear regression to explore the association between plasma Nrg4 and hs-CRP levels.

• As compared to those with the lowest hs-CRP levels (<0.63 mg/L), the nT2DM patients with the highest hs-CRP levels (>2.46 mg/L) showed higher atherogenic coefficients and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) levels, but lower levels of plasma Nrg4.
• Before and after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage, plasma Nrg4 levels were inversely associated with white blood cell count, hs-CRP, and AIP and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).
• The factor most strongly associated with plasma Nrg4 levels was hs-CRP.