Circulating plasma endothelin-1, plasma lipids and complications in type 1diabetes mellitus

The damage of endothelial integrity is an important step in the atherogenic process. To evaluate the role of circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1) in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), plasma ET-1 levels were evaluated in T1DM patien ts either with (n=9) or without hyperlipidaemia (n=11), or with (n=9) and w ithout (n=11) late diabetic complications, in non-diabetic hyperlipidaemic patients (n=17) and in healthy volunteers. Groups were matched for age, sex and body mass index. Results: Serum total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p<0.05). Plasma ET-1 leve l was similar in controls and in non-diabetic hyperlipidaemic subjects (5.7 7+/-1.74 ng/l vs 4.97+/-1.58 ng/l); however, diabetic hyperlipidaemic patie nts had a significantly higher plasma ET-1 concentration compared to contro l subjects (6.67+/-2.44 ng/l. vs 4.97+/-1.58 ng/l, p<0.05). Diabetic patien ts with vascular complications had a significantly higher plasma ET-1 conce ntration than found in diabetic patients without complications (6.99+/-2.17 ng/l vs 4.74+/-1.27 ng/l, p<0.01) and in controls (6.99+/-2.17 ng/l vs 4.9 7+/-1.58 ng/l, p<0.01). Patients with diabetic complications also had a sig nificantly higher apolipoprotein B level compared to healthy controls (0.94 +/-0.37 g/l vs 8.66+/-0.12 g/l, p<0.005). Conclusion: The susceptibility of T1DM patients to the development of atherosclerosis might be attributed to the relationship between elevated lipid levels and ET-1. Diab. Nutr. Metab . 13: 142-148, 2000. (C) 2000, Editrice Kurtis.