Vaspin Serum Concentration in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Carotid Plaque

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is an association between the serum concentration of vaspin and the presence of carotid plaque in early stage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Patients (n = 61) with T2DM within 3 years of diagnosis were divided into those with and those without carotid plaque. Fasting serum vaspin levels, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and blood pressure were compared between these two groups and also with an age-matched, apparently healthy control group (n = 26). RESULTS: Fasting serum vaspin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with T2DM without carotid plaque than in controls, but significantly lower in T2DM patients with carotid plaque than in those without. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between the presence of carotid plaque and systolic blood pressure and a significant inverse association between the presence of carotid plaque and fasting serum vaspin concentration. CONCLUSION: A significant inverse association was found, in patients with T2DM within 3 years of diagnosis, between serum vaspin concentration and the presence of carotid plaque.