Research Progress on Lipocalin-2 in Diabetic Encephalopathy

Diabetic encephalopathy is a central nervous complication of diabetes mellitus which is characterized by cognitive impairment and structural and neurochemical abnormalities, which is easily neglected. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a 25 kDa transporter in the lipocalin family that can transport small molecules, including fatty acids, iron, steroids, and lipopolysaccharides in the circulation. Recently, LCN2 has been found to be a significant regulator of insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis. Numerous studies have shown that LCN2 is connected to central nervous system abnormalities, including neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, while the latest researches have found that LCN2 is closely related to the development of diabetic encephalopathy. Nevertheless, its precise role in the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy remains to be determined. In this paper, we review recent evidence on the role of LCN2 in diabetic encephalopathy from multiple perspectives in order to decipher the impact of LCN2 in both the aetiology and treatment of diabetic encephalopathy.