Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
07:46
Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Chitotriosidase activity predicts endothelial dysfunction in type-2 diabetes mellitus
Alper Sonmez1, Cem Haymana, Serkan Tapan
1Departments of Endocrinology, Gulhane School of Medicine, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. alpersonmez@yahoo.com
Endocrine
|October 21, 2010
Summary
Elevated chitotriosidase (ChT) activity is observed in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This enzyme may predict endothelial dysfunction and is linked to insulin resistance and higher ADMA levels in T2DM.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Chitotriosidase (ChT) is an enzyme secreted by activated macrophages, playing a role in immune responses.
- Increased ChT activity is associated with atherosclerosis severity.
- The role of ChT in endothelial function and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relevance of chitotriosidase (ChT) activity to endothelial function and insulin resistance in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 40 newly diagnosed, untreated T2DM patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Measured plasma asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) using ELISA.
- Assessed ChT activity via fluorescence and calculated insulin resistance using HOMA-IR.
Main Results:
- T2DM patients exhibited higher systolic blood pressure, HOMA-IR, ADMA levels, and ChT activity compared to controls.
- Patients also showed lower HDL cholesterol levels.
- ChT activity correlated significantly with age, ADMA, and plasma glucose, and was an independent determinant of plasma ADMA levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum ChT activity is elevated in newly diagnosed, untreated T2DM patients.
- Increased ChT activity may serve as a predictor of endothelial dysfunction in T2DM.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...