Association of serum angiopoietin-like protein 2 with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS:Although previous data have suggested ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL8 (betatrophin) to be related to atherosclerosis in humans, little is known whether this applies in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this work, we investigate association of serum ANGPTL2 and betatrophin with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in T2D patients. METHODS:We measured serum levels of ANGPTL2 and betatrophin in 150 T2D patients with and without CVD and in 100 control subjects. RESULTS:Serum ANGPTL2 was significantly higher in T2D patients than in controls (p < 0.0001), and in T2D + CVD patients than T2D only patients (p = 0.0002). Serum betatrophin was lower in T2D patients than in controls but with no statistical significance (p = 0.07). Elevated serum ANGPTL2 associated with 2.83-fold increased risk of T2D and with 1.18-fold elevated risk of CVD among T2D patients with positive correlations with markers of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and atherogenic lipid profile. ROC curve indicated ANGPTL2 as risk biomarker for T2D and CVD with sensitivity of 92.2% and 86%; and specificity of 86.7% and 58%; respectively. CONCLUSION:We indicate for the first time serum ANGPTL2 as an independent risk biomarker for CVD in T2D patients. Future studies are needed to reveal its role in disease pathogenesis.

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