Beta cell function as an assessment tool for cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background/Aim: Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is considered a cardiovascular risk factor independent from visceral adiposity, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Fasting serum C-peptide is a known marker of endogenous insulin secretion and beta cell function. Our aim was to evaluate C- peptide levels in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in relation to the EFT thickness. Methods: Forty-five subjects with MetS without a history of coronary artery disease and 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled this prospective case-control study. We examined the laboratory values, including C peptide, insulin, and HOMA-IR after 8 hours of fasting. EFT thickness was measured by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Results: The serum C peptide levels were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to the healthy controls [3.41(1.98) ng/ml vs 2.07 (1.39), P