Metabolic appetite regulation in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the role of asprosin and MIC-1

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential associations between asprosin, Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), and metabolic parameters related to appetite regulation in elderly individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods: Eighty-six elderly patients (44 with T2DM, 42 non-diabetics) were evaluated. Appetite was assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and serum levels of asprosin and (MIC-1) were measured using ELISA. Results: Asprosin and MIC-1 levels were significantly lower in T2DM patients (p = 0.032 and p < 0.001, respectively; compared to non-diabetics. In the diabetic group, uncontrolled eating was positively associated with waist circumference and ferritin levels, while emotional eating showed a positive correlation with systolic blood pressure and an inverse correlation with vitamin D levels, based on multivariate regression analysis. Among non-diabetics, triglyceride levels were negatively associated with emotional eating (p = 0.019). No statistically significant associations were found between appetite scores and serum levels of asprosin or MIC-1. Conclusion: Metabolic and circulatory factors, including waist circumference, serum ferritin, vitamin D [25(OH)D], triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure, appear to influence appetite regulation in elderly individuals. Despite reduced levels of asprosin and MIC-1 in T2DM patients, their independent roles in appetite regulation were not evident. Further studies to clarify these relationships.