Human U-II (urotensin-II), the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide identified to date, is associated with cardiovascular disease. A single nucleotide polymorphism (S89N) in the gene encoding U-II (UTS2) is associated with the onset of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in the Japanese population. In the present study, we have demonstrated a relationship between plasma U-II levels and the progression of diabetic retinopathy and vascular complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Eye fundus, IMT (intima-media thickness) and plaque score in the carotid artery, BP (blood pressure), FPG (fasting plasma glucose), HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin), U-II, angiogenesis-stimulating factors, such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and heregulin-β1, and lipid profiles were determined in 64 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 24 non-diabetic controls. FPG, HbA1c and VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with Type 2 diabetes than in non-diabetic controls. Diabetes duration, insufficient glycaemic and BP control, plasma U-II levels, IMT, plaque score and nephropathy grade increased significantly across the subjects as follows: non-diabetic controls, patients with Type 2 diabetes without retinopathy (group N), patients with Type 2 diabetes with simple (background) retinopathy (group A) and patients with Type 2 diabetes with pre-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy (group B). The prevalence of obesity and smoking, age, low-density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols (triglycerides) and heregulin-β1 were not significantly different among the four groups. In all subjects, U-II levels were significantly positively correlated with IMT, FPG, and systolic and diastolic BP. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, of the above parameters, U-II levels alone had a significantly independent association with diabetic retinopathy. In conclusion, the results of the present study provide the first evidence that increased plasma U-II levels may be associated with the progression of diabetic retinopathy and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
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December 2008
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Research Article|
November 03 2008
Increased plasma urotensin-II levels are associated with diabetic retinopathy and carotid atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes
Toshiaki Suguro
;
Toshiaki Suguro
*First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
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Takuya Watanabe
;
†Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
Correspondence: Dr Takuya Watanabe (email watanabemd@med.showa-u.ac.jp).
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Syuusuke Kodate
;
Syuusuke Kodate
*First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
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Gang Xu
;
Gang Xu
*First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
†Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
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Tsutomu Hirano
;
Tsutomu Hirano
*First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
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Mitsuru Adachi
;
Mitsuru Adachi
*First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
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Akira Miyazaki
Akira Miyazaki
†Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
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Clin Sci (Lond) (2008) 115 (11): 327–334.
Article history
Received:
January 11 2008
Revision Received:
February 29 2008
Accepted:
March 14 2008
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 14 2008
Citation
Toshiaki Suguro, Takuya Watanabe, Syuusuke Kodate, Gang Xu, Tsutomu Hirano, Mitsuru Adachi, Akira Miyazaki; Increased plasma urotensin-II levels are associated with diabetic retinopathy and carotid atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 December 2008; 115 (11): 327–334. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20080014
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