Circulating adhesion molecules levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Background: Risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia affect endothelial function and stimulate adhesion molecules expression. The aim of the study was to examine endothelial activation in type 2 diabetes and hypertension as indicated by adhesion molecule levels and further to investigate whether the coexistence of the above conditions has a different effect. Methods: Serum levels of soluble E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured in 17 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients (DM-HY), 32 normotensive type 2 diabetic patients (DM), 11 hypertensive nondiabetic patients (HY) and 15 healthy subjects. Results: In diabetic patients (either DM-HY or DM), soluble E-selectin levels were significantly increased compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). In HY patients, both sE-selectin (66.44 +/- 71.59 vs. 29.42 +/- 15.56 ng/ml, p = 0.033) and sVCAM-1 (1529 +/- 433.33 vs. 1027 +/- 243.56 ng/ml, p = 0.03) levels were found significantly higher compared to healthy subjects (p