Increased soluble endoglin levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients are associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) contributes to the pathologic process underlying macrovascular complications, a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Soluble endoglin (sEng) shed from the extracellular domain of the entire endoglin molecule blocks endothelial protection mediated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1). The reactive hyperemia index (RHI), which is determined by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), is a new index with which to evaluate ED. This study determined the changes in serum sEng levels in newly-diagnosed (untreated) T2DM patients and the correlation with the RHI. The T2DM group included 34 newly-diagnosed T2DM patients, while the control group included 53 healthy adults. The clinical data from the two groups were evaluated retrospectively. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) of both legs were used to assess structural vascular changes. The serum sEng level was determined using an ELISA kit. Endothelial function was assessed using RH-PAT and the RHI was computed. The serum sEng level in the T2DM group was significantly greater than the control group, although the RHI was significantly lower in the T2DM group (p < 0.05). The serum sEng level was negatively correlated with the RHI in T2DM patents (r = 0.354, p = 0.041). The serum sEng level, CCA-IMT, and ABI were not significantly correlated with T2DM (p > 0.05). In summary, among newly-diagnosed T2DM patients, the serum sEng levels were inversely correlated with the RHI, and an elevated sEng level may be associated with ED.

The Association of Serum Irisin with Bone Mineral Density and Turnover Markers in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Background: Irisin, an exercise-induced myokine and adipocytokine, has been reported to decrease in type 2 diabetic patients. Recently, several research studies indicated that circulating levels were correlated with bone mineral density (BMD). To evaluate bone metabolism, bone turnover markers (BTMs) should be included. However, with respect to newly diagnosed T2DM patients, the relevance of their irisin levels to their BTMs and BMD remains unclear. The investigation of serum irisin levels in patients who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and illumination of the relationship between serum irisin levels and those two indices of BMD and BTMs mentioned above are the intention of this cross-sectional study. Methods: 66 new-onset type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM group), together with 82 control subjects (NGT group), were recruited in this study. Serum irisin concentrations and BTMs (including osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and ß-C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (ß-CTX)) were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Glucose, lipid profile, and insulin were considered as measuring indicators as well. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was utilized to evaluate the indicator of BMD. Serum irisin, BTMs, and BMD were compared between diabetic patients and healthy individuals. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were applied as well to assess correlations between irisin and BTMs and BMD. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent factors of irisin. ROC curve analyses were carried out for serum irisin prediction for osteoporosis/osteopenia (OP). Results: The serum levels of irisin, procollagen type 1, intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and osteocalcin (OC) were evidently lower in T2DM subjects than in NGT subjects (10.90 ± 1.88 vs .11.69 ± 2.06 ng/mL, P < 0.05; 36.42(25.68,51.70) vs. 44.52(35.73,58.05)ng/ml, P < 0.05; 16.15(12.40,21.66) vs. 18.70(15.56, 23.22)ng/ml, P < 0.05). Among patients with T2DM, the circulating irisin level of those with OP was lower than that of normal BMD (9.98 ± 2.09 vs. 11.39 ± 1.57 ng/ml, P < 0.01); irisin had a negative correlation with ß-C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (ß-CTX) (r = -0.496, P < 0.001) and came back unrelated to Lumbar BMD; Lumbar BMD was negatively relevant to OC (r = -0.274, P < 0.05) and ß-CTX (r = -0.410, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analyses of stepwise models implied that TG, LDL-C, and ß-CTX were independently associated with serum irisin concentrations (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum irisin level was declined in patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed in the near term and had a certain association with bone turnover markers. It is suggested to consider irisin as a potential biomarker of bone metabolic disorder in T2DM patients with the initial diagnosis.