Association of nitric oxide levels and lipid profile with endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based screening is crucial to detect myocardial ischemia in high-risk diabetics. We explored the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) levels, lipid profile indices, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in type 2 diabetics with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine their potential as prognostic markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study included 50 diabetics with CAD (cases), 30 diabetics without CAD (control 1), and 23 healthy controls (control 2). Biochemical parameters were determined using standard protocols; plasma NO was measured via the Griess reaction.

RESULTS

Cases had the highest levels of NO, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and triglycerides, and the lowest total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Cases exhibited the highest TC: HDL-C, LDL-C: HDL-C, and AIP ratios. A significant positive correlation between NO and HbA1c ( = 0.328, = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

Chronic hyperglycemia could enhance NO overproduction driven by inducible isoform, suggesting a potential role for chronic hyperglycemia in endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications in diabetes.