Circulating cell adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) and microangiopathy in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background/Aim: Diabetic microvascular complications are not uncommon. This study was done to investigate the relationship between biochemical parameters of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic microangiopathy and serum levels of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in DM. Patients and methods: The study included 35 type-1 and 25 type-2 DM patients along with 20 age- and sexmatched healthy controls. For each studied subject, thorough clinical examination and laboratory evaluation [fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides)] were performed. The serum level of C-peptide was estimated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) while levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were determined by ELISA. Results: A significant elevation of both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 was detected in both type-1 and type-2 DM patients (P<0.001), with no significant difference between the two patient groups. Levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in patients with microangiopathy were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of patients lacking this complication. Patients with microangiopathy had older age and longer duration of DM, but there was no difference between patients with and those without microangiopathy regarding FBS, HbA1c or lipid profile. There was no significant effect of the disease duration on sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 levels. Moreover, there was no correlation between circulating CAMs and FBS, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride or C-peptide levels. Conclusion: sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 serum levels are elevated in DM patients and may have a role in pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. They may be predictors for these complications.