Assessment of Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Markers in Type 2 Diabetes without Clinical Evidence of Cardiac Events

Purpose: There is no doubt that several inflammatory markers were detected in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Cardiovascular events were also associated with T2D or complicated T2D. Co-existence of cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers in T2D patients in the absence of cardiovascular morbidity have been mentioned in a few articles. This study aimed to assess the association of C-reactive protein as inflammatory marker with serum NT-proBNP (a diagnostic marker of heart failure) with nitric oxide (a marker of vascular endothelial function) in T2D patients without clinical evidence of heart failure. Material and Method: A total of 75 T2D patients recruited from the Center of Diabetes and 25 healthy subjects served as controls were enrolled in the study. Patients without clinical evidence of heart failure or recent infection were included in the study. Serum C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP, and nitric oxide were determined. Results: High serum NT-proBNP levels (>= 600 pg/ml) indicating the presence of moderate to severe heart failure was detected in 10.7% of subjects. Serum nitric oxide levels were significantly lower (60.98 +/- 30.75 mu mol) compared with those in healthy subjects (120.3 +/- 12.5 mu mol). Serum nitric oxide significantly and inversely correlated with serum NT-proBNP level (r=-0.228, p<0.05). Seven out of 14 patients with positive C-reactive protein had significantly high serum NT-proBNP level (>= 600 pg/ml). Patients with positive C-reactive protein significantly have low serum nitric oxide level compared with those expressed negative C-reactive protein reaction. Discussion: Biomarkers of cardiovascular events in T2D patients without clinical evidence of heart failure are detected in the presence of inflammatory process.