Relations between endothelial functions, carotid intima media thickness and microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the association between endothelial function biomarkers [von Wille brand Factor [vWF], soluble adhesion molecules [sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1], carotid intima-media thickness [IMT] and microalbuminuria [MAU] in type 2 diabetes mellitus non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] patients and their role in development of atherosclerosis. The current study comprised 40 NIDDM patients [18 males and 22 female], classified into the following groups according to presence or absence of MAU Group I Comprised 20 NIDDM Patients with microalbuminuria and Group II Comprised 20 NIDDM Patients without microalbuminuria. [normo-albuminuric]. For comparioon. 20 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex were considered as controls. Lipid profile [Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides], vWF, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 are estimated in the plasma samples of an studied groups. Also, carotid IMT and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation [FMD] and nitroglycerine-induced dilatation [NID] are measured for all patients and control groups. There was a significant increase in cholesterol and LDL-C and decrease in HDL-C in plasma of both patients groups. Significant increase in carotid NT and significant decrease In FMD% and NID% at brachial artery in both patients groups. Also, there was a significant increase in vWF, sVCAM-1 and slCAM-1 in both patients groups. All studied parameters were highly significant in patients group I [with MAU] when compared with those of patients group H [without MAU]. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between all studied parameters in the patients group with MAU. So, endothelial dysfunction is an early marker for atherosclerosis and can be detected before structural changes to the vessel wall are apparent in NIDDM patients especially with microalbuminuria. Further work is needed to determine whether endothelial function can be used as a therapeutic target to reduce cardiovascular diseases and improve clinical outcome: