Endocrine Abstracts

Background: It has been proved that the adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ. It secretes a large number of adipokineswhich are involved in and affect regulation of metabolic process and can influence pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vaspin-new representative of adipokineswhich is secreted by adipose tissue and have an insulin-sensitizing properties. Vaspin engagement into atherosclerotic process poorly investigated.

Aim: To establish the value of plasma vaspin level in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) for prediction cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Thirty-one patient (55.1 ± 1.9 years) with DM2 (9.1 ± 2.8 years of duration) who do not have major adverse cardiovascular events were included to the study. The BMI (28.18 ± 0.8 kg/m²), fasting plasma glucose level (FPG), HbA₁c, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG), C reactive protein (CRP) serum vaspin level and intima media thickness of carotid arteries (IMT CA) by ultrasound were measured. Control group healthy volunteers (54.8 ± 1.1 years) matched for age, gender and BMI.

Results: The study results showed that all patients had an adequate control of DM2 by oral hypoglycemic agents FPG 8.18 ± 0.92 mmol/l; HbA₁c 7.49 ± 0.21%. Dyslipidemia was present TC 6.40 ± 0.63 mmol/l; LDL 3.39 ± 0.52 mmol/l, TG 2.35 ± 0.15 mmol/l and there is no active process of inflammation CRP 1.33 ± 0.12. Serum vaspin level was significantly higher in patients with DM2 than in control group 3.47 ± 0.42 pg/ml vs 2.42 ± 0.19 pg/ml, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis after adjusting for atherosclerotic risk factors vaspin had positive correlation with IMT CA 1.02 ± 0.23 mm vs 0.71 ± 0.11 mm (r = 0,37, P < 0,02); immunoreactive insulin (0.6 P < 0,001) FPG (0.62 P < 0,001), HbA₁c (0.56, P < 0,001), TG (r = 0,31, P < 0,04). No significant correlation was found between vaspin and BMI, TC, LDL, and plaque existence in carotid arteries.

Conclusions: Serum vaspin level was found significantly higher in patients with DM2 and thicker intima media than age-matched healthy subjects with normal IMT. The vaspin level had significant correlation with all known parameters which are involved in and promoted atherogenesis. Therefore, vaspin may have a pleiotropic effects and can be engaged in atherosclerosis development.