Klotho Protein and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered an epidemic disease by many countries and shown as one of the leading causes of death in western societies. In the development of the disease, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are complex and multifactorial. The frequency of DM increases with age, and the severity of events such as oxidative stress and inflammation increases in patients diagnosed with DM. The Klotho (KL) protein, defined as a new anti-aging protein as a result of the studies on aging mechanisms and it has an important functions on glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. In this review study, the relationship between KL protein and DM is explained by compiling the information in the articles published in PubMed indexed journals between 2002-2020. In conclusion, a decrease in KL levels plays a role in type 2 DM and the development of nephropathy and vascular diseases caused by type 2 DM.