Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Increasing evidence suggests a role for mineral metabolism in cardio-vascular disease risk. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum levels of 1–84 parathormone (PTH1–84), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) or calcium and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin sensitivity or β-cells function, but also the relationship between these factors and coronary arterial disease confirmed by myocardial scintigraphy.

Research design and methods: Serum PTH1–84, 25(OH)D and calcium were determined in 60 adult patients with type 2 diabetes divided into two groups: group A-normal myo-cardial scintigraphy (n=37) and group B-positive scintigraphy (n=23). The groups were matched regarding age, HbA1c, body mass index, glomerular filtration rate and pharmacotherapy with either vitamin D, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, sartans or calcium channel blockers.

Results: All type 2 diabetic patients had normal levels of PTH 1–84 and calcium, but low levels of 25(OH)D. Serum PTH1–84 were significantly increased in group B (positive myocardial scintigraphy) versus group A (negative scintigraphy) (Table).We found a negative correlation between PTH1–84 and glycated hemoglobin HbA1c (P=0.015). There were no significant correlations between calcium, vitamin D or PTH1–84 and HOMA insulin-sensitivity or β-cells function (HOMA-B).

Conclusion: In type 2 diabetic patients higher levels of PTH1–84 were associated with pathological myocardial scintigraphy, suggesting a role for PTH1–84 in cardiovascular disease risk. Serum PTH and HbA1c were inversely correlated.