Endoglin: a novel predictor of vascular complications in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents

Abstract

Background/aim The incidence of developing complications in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents is increased along with increased development of vascular complications. Endoglin is a cell-surface coreceptor for the transforming growth factor β1 it is highly expressed in the endothelial cell having a crucial role in angiogenesis, indicating endothelial dysfunction and diabetic complications and pathologies. The present study aims to assess serum endoglin levels in relation to vascular and endothelial dysfunction associated with type 1 diabetes in a group of children and adolescents. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 30 diabetic children and adolescents, aged 6–16 years, in addition to 30 healthy children served as a control group of matched age. Clinical examination and anthropometric assessment were done for all children. In addition, endoglin, metabolic lipid parameters, glycated hemoglobin, and urinary albumin were determined, in addition to ophthalmologic examination for diabetic retinopathy. Results The levels of serum endoglin, systolic blood pressure Z-score, diastolic blood pressure Z-score, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides in patients were significantly higher than in controls. Endoglin levels were higher in cases with albuminuria and retinopathy compared with other cases. Significant correlations were detected between endoglin and systolic blood pressure Z-score, diastolic blood pressure Z-score, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, glycated hemoglobin, and albuminuria. Conclusion We conclude that endoglin can serve as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in pediatric population and other diabetes-associated complications such as retinopathy and albuminuria.