C-reactive protein correlates with markers of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetic patients

The interaction between inflammatory and endothelial cells seem to play a crucial role in the development of late vascular diabetic complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the level of CRP and some markers of endothelial function in type 1 diabetic patients. Moreover, we assessed the relationship between CRP and those markers: endothelin-1 (ET-1), metabolites of nitric oxide (NO2–), soluble form of Intercellular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), sE-selectin, fibronectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF).
The study was performed in 98 type 1 diabetic patients (57 women and 41 men), aged 32.1±9.8 years, duration of disease 12.8±7.4 years and HbA1c 7.8±2.6%. Serum levels of CRP, ET-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, fibronectin, metabolite of NO and vWF were estimated using ELISA commercial test.
CRP, ET-1, NO2–, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, vWF, sE-selectin and fibronectin were significantly higher in diabetic patients in comparison with healthy subjects (p<0.05). CRP and NO2– were markedly higher in diabetic patients with microangiopathy (CRP: 4.91±0.28 vs 2.33±0.28 mg/l, p<0.05; NO2–: 85.49±1.71 vs 55.48±3.59 µmol/l, p<0.05). Moreover, we noticed positive correlation between CRP and markers of endothelial dysfunction, except the level of sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin (p<0.05).
The results of this study might suggest association between inflammatory process and endothelial dysfunction in diabetes.