Study of Plasma Long Pentraxin 3 as a Marker of Endothelial Dysfunction in Egyptian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Pentraxin 3, an inflammatory mediator produced by endothelial cells, may have a role in atherogenesis.Objective: Measure plasma levels of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in patients with type 2 DM with and without microalbuminuria, with normal renal function and without overt cardiovascular disease and to evaluate its utility in the early detection of endothelial dysfunction compared to other known markers of endothelial dysfunction as flow mediated dilation (FMD).Study Design: Our study was conducted on 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus classified into two groups: Group I included 25 type 2 diabetes patients without microalbuminuria, group II included 25 patients with type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria and group III 20 healthy volunteers as a control group.Results: We found that type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and normal GFR (stage 1 CKD) have significantly higher PTX-3 concentrations and significantly lower flow mediated dilatation (FMD) than normal individuals and diabetics without microalbuminuria and normal kidney functions with a significant negative correlation between PTX3 and FMD. Also there was significant positive correlation between PTX-3, duration of diabetes, fasting glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol and triglyceride.Conclusion: Our study suggests a link among albuminuria, markers of ED, inflammation, and development of atherosclerotic complications through pathways that may involve PTX3.