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Mannose-Binding Lectin Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Miklós Káplár1, Shah Sweni2, Julianna Kulcsár1
1Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Körút 98, Debrecen 4032, Hungary.
Insights
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) shows a dual role in type 2 diabetes, influencing carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Both low and high MBL levels are linked to increased atherosclerosis risk in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activates the complement system.
- MBL is implicated in vascular complications in diabetes.
- Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between MBL levels and cIMT in type 2 diabetic patients.
- To investigate MBL's role in atherosclerosis development in T2DM.
Main Methods:
- Serum MBL levels and cIMT were measured in 103 type 2 diabetic patients and 98 healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses, including multiple regression, were performed.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in MBL levels between T2DM patients and controls.
- cIMT was significantly higher in T2DM patients.
- Both low and high MBL levels were associated with increased cIMT in T2DM patients.
- MBL, age, and ApoA levels were significant predictors of IMT in T2DM.
Conclusions:
- MBL exhibits a dual role as a risk factor for cIMT in type 2 diabetes.
- MBL may serve as a marker for macrovascular disease in T2DM.
- Both MBL deficiency and excess indicate susceptibility to atherosclerosis in T2DM.
Introduction:
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activates complement system and has been suggested to play a role in vascular complications in diabetics. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) detects subclinical atherosclerosis. We evaluated the association of MBL and IMT in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients.
Methods:
Serum MBL levels and cIMT were measured in a total of 103 diabetics and in 98 age-matched healthy controls.
Results:
There was no significant difference in MBL level in T2DM versus controls. As expected, IMT was significantly higher in T2DM patients than in controls (P = 0.001). In T2DM, the lowest cIMT was seen in patients with normal MBL level (500-1000) while cIMT continuously increased with both high MBL and absolute MBL deficiency states. This was especially significant in high MBL versus normal MBL T2DM patients (P = 0.002). According to multiple regression analysis the main predictors of IMT in T2DM are age (P < 0.003), ApoA level (P = 0.023), and the MBL (P = 0.036).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest a dual role of MBL as a risk factor for cIMT in T2DM. MBL may also be used as a marker of macrovascular disease, as both low and high levels indicate the susceptibility for atherosclerosis in T2DM.
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