Plasma antimicrobial peptide LL-37 level is inversely associated with HDL cholesterol level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction. Relation between atherosclerosis and innate immunity has attracted attention. As the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, could have an important role in atherosclerosis, we supposed that there could be a meaningful association of plasma LL-37 level with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods. We evaluated plasma LL-37 level and other clinical markers in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (, 115 men and 18 women; age years; HbA1c %). Plasma level of LL-37 was measured by ELISA. Results. Mean plasma LL-37 level was  ng/mL. Plasma LL-37 level showed significant correlations with HDL cholesterol (, ), triglyceride (, ), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (, ) but no significant correlation with age, body mass index, HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or vitamin D binding protein. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant correlations of plasma LL-37 level with HDL cholesterol (, ) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (, ). Conclusion. Plasma LL-37 level was positively correlated with inflammatory markers and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.