Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (srAGE)‎ and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT)‎ in type 1 diabetes mellitus: possible association with diabetic vascular complications

Abstract EN

Background : Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous and complex group of biochemical compounds, resulting from nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of protein, nucleic acids, and lipids.

Aim of the study : To assess sRAGE and CIMT in patients with T1DM and their relation to glycemic control and diabetic vascular complications.

Patients & methods : This study included 60 patients with mean age of 14.4 ±3.4 years.

They were subdivided into complicated and non complicated groups according to the presence of microvascular complications.

Thirty age and sex matched controls were included.

Patients with disease duration less than 5 years, connective tissue disease, liver dysfunction, or apparent cardiovascular disease and those on lipid lowering agents were excluded.

Laboratory investigations included; HbA1c %, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), fasting lipid profile and sRAGE.

Mean CIMT was measured by dopplex ultrasound.

Results : Patients had higher sRAGE (1765.0 ±451.0 pg / ml) (p <0.001) especially the non complicated group (p = 0.18).

It was directly correlated to HDL (r = 0.3, p = 0.012).

Patients had increased CIMT (0.57± 0.14 mm) (p < 0.001) with 13.3 % having carotid wall abnormalities.

CIMT was directly correlated to age, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, UAE, cholesterol and LDL (p < 0.05) and inversely correlated to HDL (p < 0.05).

Neither CIMT nor sRAGE were correlated to glycemic control or disease duration.

Conclusion : Patients with T1DM are at risk of increased CIMT with a concomitant increase in sRAGE which may be a therapeutic target for the prevention of diabetic vascular complications.