Fetuin-A levels determine cardiovascular risk in young diabetic patients

Objective: Young adults with type 2 diabetes were demonstrated to have increased cardiovascular disease risk. Fetuin-A levels are associated with insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, hepatosteatosis, subclinical inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. Apolipoprotein (Apo) B/Apo A1 ratio is a well-defined cardiovascular risk assessment marker. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of Fetuin-A in demonstrating cardiovascular disease risk in young adults with type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: We performed a prospective study on 18 controls, 18 diabetic and 19 prediabetic patients (aged 20-40 y). History, physical examination and anthropometric measurements were done for each subject. Fasting serum samples were obtained from all subjects and glucose, insulin, Fetuin-A, LDL, triglyceride, HDL, VLDL, apoB, apoA1, lipo A, HSCRP levels were measured. Serum Fetuin-A levels were determined by ELISA. Results: Fetuin-A levels were significantly lower in control patients than diabetic and prediabetic patients (33.46 +/- 22.10 vs. 51.68 +/- 17.10 ng/ml, p< 0.05 and 33.46 +/- 22.10 vs. 47.70 +/- 10.47 ng/ml, p< 0.05, respectively). Fetuin-A levels did not differ between diabetic and prediabetic patients (51.68 +/- 17.10 vs. 47.70 +/- 10.47 ng/ml, p> 0.05). BMI adjusted correlations revealed a positive correlation between Fetuin-A levels and glucose, Apo B levels and Apo B/Apo A1 ratio. Conclusions: Studies showed that Fetuin-A levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. In our study, we found a significant increase in Fetuin-A levels in young type 2 diabetic and prediabetic patients. Thus, Fetuin-A may be a useful marker in determining cardiovascular risk of young patients with diabetes or at risk for diabetes.