Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein, nitric oxide metabolites, plasma fibrinogen, and lipid parameters in Indian type 2 diabetic males

AimsInflammation is postulated to play a role in diabetogenesis and its further vascular complications. The aim was to assess the inflammatory and lipid parameters in patients of type 2 diabetic mellitus with or without complication.Material and methodsSerum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), nitric oxide metabolite (NOX), fibrinogen, and lipid parameters were measured in eighty type 2 diabetic males (40–65 years) without (n = 40, group B) and with complication (16 retinopathy, group C; 24 hypertension, group D); and compared with 40 healthy, age and sex matched nondiabetic males (group A) from the general population.ResultThe mean age of subjects and fasting plasma glucose among groups A, B, and C + D were 51.0 ± 7.1 vs. 48.7 ± 5.7 vs. 50.2 ± 6.1 years (p > 0.05); and 96.7 ± 10.4 vs. 134.3 ± 27.8 vs. 136.4 ± 29.8 mg/dl (p < 0.001) respectively. Patients with retinopathy were older, with longer duration of diabetes, and high fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001). The mean hs-CRP, NOX, fibrinogen, TC, TG, and LDLC varied significantly (p < 0.001) between control and diabetics. hs-CRP, NOX, and fibrinogen were found to be highest in retinopathy group whereas no significant (p > 0.05) difference was noted between groups B and D in relation to hs-CRP and NOX. TC and LDLC were significantly (p < 0.001) high among group B patients. Significant positive correlation was observed between all three inflammatory markers in all categories of patients; between FPG, hs-CRP, and fibrinogen among patients with hypertension; between FPG, hs-CRP, and NOX in patients with retinopathy. However, none of the lipid parameters showed any significant correlation with any of the inflammatory markers in any group of patients studied.ConclusionLow grade systemic inflammation, in association with dyslipidemia, plays a role in diabetogenesis and its complications.