Cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome: role of biomarkers.

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine paraoxonase (PON), total sialic acid (TSA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in addition to conventional risk markers in patients with DM, MetS and DM plus MetS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study has been carried out over 78 subjects which divided into four groups; control (n=18), DM (n=20), newly diagnosed MetS (n=20) and DM plus MetS patient groups (n=20).

RESULTS

Both insulin and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in DM+MetS group than in control and DM groups and serum HDL-C concentrations were significantly lower in DM+MetS group than other groups. Patients with MetS had higher LDL-C, total cholesterol and hsCRP concentrations than in the other groups. Interestingly, in addition to body mass index and waist circumference values, LDL-C, total cholesterol and hsCRP concentrations were decreased in patients who have both DM and MetS. Serum NO and TSA levels were higher in MetS and DM+MetS groups compared to control subjects. Unexpectedly, PON activity has been found lower in control group when compared to other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is no doubt that association of DM and MetS elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, occurrence of DM in patients with undiagnosed MetS might be encouraging patients to change their life styles and dietary habits.