Endothelin-1 levels and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 299 - 304
• Main Authors: Zanatta, Claudete M, Gerchman, Fernando, Burttet, Lucas, Nabinger, Gustavo, Jacques-Silva, Maria C, Canani, Luís H, Gross, Jorge L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.05.2008
• Subjects: Age of Onset; Aged; Albuminuria - diagnosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - urine; Diabetic Angiopathies - blood; Diabetic nephropathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - blood; Diabetic Retinopathy - urine; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endothelial dysfunction; Endothelin; Endothelin-1 - blood; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Microalbuminuria; Middle Aged; Endothelial dysfunction; Diabetic nephropathy; Endothelin; Diabetes mellitus; Microalbuminuria
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2007.12.024

Abstract Aim To evaluate the relationship of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, and urinary albumin excretion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted in 279 patients (132 males, mean age: 58.7 ± 11.0 years, mean DM duration: 11.3 ± 8.1 years). Urinary albumin excretion, ET-1, and insulin were measured. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-ir) index. Results ET-1 was associated with urinary albumin excretion after controlling for age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1c test, and total cholesterol ( R = 0.436; adjusted R2 = 0.190, P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a progressive increase in plasma ET-1 levels from patients with normoalbuminuria ( n = 187, 0.92 ± 0.50 pg/ml), microalbuminuria ( n = 68, 1.13 ± 0.52 pg/ml) to macroalbuminuria ( n = 24, 1.93 ± 1.10 pg/ml, P < 0.01). Conclusion There is an independent association of plasma ET-1 levels with urinary albumin excretion. In addition, plasma ET-1 levels started to increase in the normal values of urinary albumin excretion suggesting that in patients with type 2 DM endothelial dysfunction is already present, in urinary albumin excretion values considered normal.