Increased plasma levels of endothelin 1 and von Willebrand factor in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia

OBJECTIVE - Endothelial markers endothelin 1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were assessed in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia and ill patients with hypercholesterolemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - In this case-control study, plasma ET-1 and vWF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 35 normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia (56 +/- 5 years), in 21 nondiabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia (52 +/- 7 years), and in 19 healthy control subjects (45 +/- 4 years). All of the individuals were normotensive and nonsmokers. Urinary albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS - ET-1 levels were higher (P < 0.0001) in type 2 diabetic dyslipidemic patients (1.62 +/- 0.73 pg/ml) than in both nondiabetic hypercholesterolemic patients (0.91 +/- 0.73 pg/ml) and control subjects (0.69 +/- 0.25 pg/ml). vWF levels were significantly increased (P = 0.02) in type 2 diabetic (185.49 +/- 72.1%) and hypercholesterolemic (163.29 +/- 50.7%) patients compared with control subjects (129.70 +/- 35.2%). In the multiple linear regression analysis, ET-1 was significantly associated (adjusted r(2) = 0.42) with serum triglyceride levels (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.01), insulin sensitivity index (P < 0.02), and albuminuria levels (P < 0.04). vWF levels were associated (adjusted r(2) = 0.22) with albuminuria (P < 0.001), fibrinogen levels (P < 0.02), and BMI (P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS - Compared with hypercholesterolemic patients, type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia have increased levels of ET-1 and vWF; which may indicate more pronounced endothelial injury. These findings appear to be related to components of the insulin resistance syndrome.