The Role of Fetuin-A as A Biomarker of Atherosclerosis and Its Relation to Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

We aimed in this work to study the role of fetuin-A in atherosclerosis and its association with type 2 diabetes. Our study was conducted on 50 subjects aged from 40-60 years old selected from the endocrinology department in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Divided into 3groups: Group 1: 20 type 2 diabetic patients with atherosclerosis Group 2: 20 non diabetic patients with atherosclerosis (presented with cardiovascular or cerebro-vascular manifestations). Group 3: 10 healthy subjects as a control group The results were statistically analyzed and we observed the following:  There was a highly statistically significant decrease of serum fetuin-A levels in group 1(79.7±13.42ug/ml) in comparison with group 2(110.0±10.00ug/ml)and group 3 (164.0±26.11 ug/ml) with p<0.001.  There is a highly statistically significant increase in carotid intema thickness in group 1 (2.15±0.32 mm)than group 2 (1.47±0.27 mm) and group 3 (0.71±0.07 mm) with p <0.001. (Thickness of more than 1.05 mm is suggestive of atherosclerotic disease ).  Our correlation studies showed a highly statistically significant negative correlation of fetuin-A with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.578 and p=<0.001), low density lipoprotein ( r= -0.7 and p value <0.001) and carotid intema thikness with ( r= -0.697 and p value <0.001).