Circulating soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and other factors in type 2 diabetes patients with colorectal cancer

Background: Recent study showed that individuals with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), in which Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) plays a pivotal role. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the relationships of circulating sRAGE, CRC and other clinical factors in type2 diabetes patients.

Methods: A total of 150 type 2 diabetes patients aged 50 years and older were enrolled, including 50 patients with CRC and 100 patients without CRC. We measured Serum levels of sRAGE and interleukin-6(IL-6) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, other clinical parameters were also measured during hospitalization.

Results: Type 2 diabetes patients with CRC had higher triglyceride, total cholesterol, IL-6, and circulating sRAGE levels and lower use of medicines than type 2 diabetes patients without CRC. Circulating sRAGE was associated with an increased risk for CRC (OR = 2.289 for each SD increase in sRAGE, 95% CI = 1.037-5.051; P = 0.04) among Type 2 diabetes patients after adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, circulating sRAGE levels among type 2 diabetes patients were positively correlated with triglyceride (r = 0.377, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (r = 0.491, P < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c)(r = 0.330, P < 0.001) levels; the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)score (r = 0.194, P = 0.017); and fasting serum insulin (r = 0.167, P = 0.041) and IL-6 (r = 0.311, P < 0.001) concentrations.

Conclusions: Our results suggested that circulating sRAGE is independently risk factor for CRC, and also closely related to inflammation, dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes patients.