Endothelial dysfunction in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus or normoglycemia: assessment of specific markers

BACKGROUND: One of the function of the endothelium is the maintenance of body's homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is known to be profoundly implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The presence of diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risks of CVD. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often observed in obesity, however, there is a population of people with obesity, who do not develop T2DM for a long time.

AIM: To compare the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction in two groups of individuals (without T2DM and with T2DM), as well as to evaluate the impact of cardioprotective medication (GPP-1 and SGLT-2) on these markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 2 groups of patients with obesity into this study: the 1st group with no carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the 2nd with T2DM. Several markers of endothelial dysfunction were evaluated: human von Willebrand factor (VWF), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), soluble form E-selectin (sE-selectin), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM1).

RESULTS: A significant increase in sE-Selectin was seen in the group of patients with obesity and T2DM compared with those without carbohydrate metabolism disorders (46.65 [36.23; 66.66] vs 33.05 [22.1;53.31] ng/ml). There were no differences in the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction in the subgroups of patients with T2DM with HbA1c < 8% and >8%. There was also no effect of cardioprotective drugs (SGLT-2 and / or GPP-1) on any of endothelial dysfunction markers in individuals with T2DM.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that an increase in sE-selectin may be an early marker of endothelial dysfunction in obese individuals and T2DM.

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