Assessment of vascular function in complete glycaemic spectrum

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Vascular dysfunction is a key complication in diabetes.
• Early detection of vascular changes across the glycemic spectrum is crucial.
• Family history of diabetes is a risk factor for developing diabetes and its complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pinpoint the onset of vascular dysfunction along the glycemic spectrum.
• To compare vascular function in normoglycemic individuals (with and without family history of diabetes), prediabetic, and diabetic individuals.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 252 participants (30-50 years old).
• Measurement of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and vascular biomarkers (endothelin-1, von Willebrand Factor, VEGF).
• Statistical analysis including ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation, and linear regression.

Main Results:

• Vascular function negatively correlated with blood glucose levels.
• Endothelin-1 and von Willebrand Factor abnormalities were present in normoglycemic individuals with a family history of diabetes, worsening in prediabetes and diabetes.
• Decreased flow-mediated dilation (physiological dysfunction) began in the prediabetes stage; VEGF abnormalities were only observed in diabetic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Vascular dysfunction is evident even in normoglycemic individuals with a family history of diabetes.
• The severity of vascular dysfunction increases with disease progression from prediabetes to diabetes.
• Early intervention may be warranted in individuals with a family history of diabetes, even before glycemic abnormalities are apparent.