Urinary Leukotriene E4 Is Associated with Renal Function but Not with Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract EN

Leukotrienes are inflammatory and vasoactive mediators implicated in endothelium-dependent relaxations and atherosclerosis.

Urinary leukotriene E4 (U-LTE4) is a validated disease marker of asthma and increases also in diabetes and acute coronary syndromes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of U-LTE4 and CRP with endothelial function.

Urine samples were obtained from 30 subjects (80% males; median age 65) with type 2 diabetes of at least two years duration and a median glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 71 (14–129) mL/min.

Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) was used as a measure of microvascular endothelial function, whereas macrovascular endothelial function was determined be means of flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD).

Decreased renal function was associated with lower concentrations of U-LTE4.

In addition, U-LTE4 was correlated with serum creatinine (R=−0.572; P=0.001) and eGFR (R=0.517; P=0.0036).

A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified eGFR as an independent predictor of U-LTE4 concentrations.

In conclusion, the present results did not establish an association of U-LTE4 with endothelial dysfunction.

However, eGFR was an independent predictor of U-LTE4, but not CRP, in this cohort, suggesting that GFR should be considered in biomarker studies of U-LTE4.