[Fetuin A and matrix GLA protein in long standing type I diabetic patients without ischaemic heart disease]

Fetuin A and matrix GLA protein--MGP are known as extraosseus calcification inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the dependence between metabolic status and fetuin A and matrix GLA protein levels in type 1 diabetic patients without ischaemic heart disease. The study was performed in a group consisting of 35 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (22 women and 13 men). Mean age of the studied group equaled 38.8 +/- 11.24 years, duration of diabetes mellitus 20.77 +/- 10.11 years. Fetuin A significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.45; p = 0.007). Total cholesterol, LDL-chol and triglicerides correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.40, p = 0.03; r = 0.41, p = 0.03 and r = 0.37, p = 0.05), HDL-chol significantly correlated with glucose level at the examination day (r = 0.52, p = 0.04). There were also positive correlations of trigliceride with uric acid (r = 0.47, p = 0.09) and cystatin C (r = 0.44, p = 0.02). There were no correlation of MGP with other examined parameters. Initial results of fetuin A and MGP levels in long-term type 1 diabetic patients without ischaemic heart disease draws attention to new parameters in macroangiopathy development.