Can the Serum Endocan Level Be Used as a Biomarker to Predict Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Prediabetes?

Abstract

Background: Patients with prediabetes have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; therefore, early detection is important. Objective: The present study aimed to reveal the usability of serum endocan levels as a biomarker in the diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with prediabetes, based on CIMT measurements. Methods: Participants were classified according to the presence (n=42) or absence (n=42) of prediabetes. Serum endocan, fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values of patients were examined, and CIMT was measured. The level of significance for statistical analysis was 0.05. Results: While serum endocan levels were found to be lower in patients with prediabetes, when compared to the control group (p=0.042), CIMT values were found to be higher (p=0.046). When evaluated by multivariate regression analysis, the serum endocan level was found to be associated with CIMT, regardless of other parameters (p=0.007). A negative correlation was found between plasma fasting insulin and endocan levels (r=-0.320, p=0.001). Conclusions: Carotid intima media thickness was found to be high and the serum endocan level was low in patients with prediabetes. Decreased serum endocan levels in patients with prediabetes may be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis formation mechanisms.