RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an important contributor to micro and macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is reflected by increased systemic oxidative stress. Endothelial cell selective adhesion molecule (ESAM) influences endothelial function. We aimed to assess, for the first time to our knowledge, the relationship of soluble ESAM to markers of systemic oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ESAM, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and catalase activity were determined in 54 T2D patients and 43 controls. RESULTS: T2D patients had significantly higher ESAM when compared to controls (16.07 ± 5.77 µg/L versus 8.57 ± 5.28 µg/L, p < 0.0001), they also had higher MDA level (3.88 ± 1.50 µmol/L vs. 1.58 ± 0.72 µmol/L, p < 0.0001) and lower catalase activity (3.07 (2.63-3.44) U/mg vs. 8.72 (4.55-10.46) U/mg, p < 0.0001). In T2D patients ESAM was inversely related to catalase activity (r = -0.27, p = 0.04), relationship to MDA level was direct but not significant (r = 0.16, p = 0.24). MDA concentration correlated inversely to catalase activity (r = -0.28, p = 0.04). In multiple regression catalase activity remained significantly correlated to ESAM (p = 0.02) and MDA level was significantly related to glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.01); there was trend towards a positive correlation of MDA level to ESAM (p = 0.08). When patients were divided according to oxidative stress, those with increased oxidative stress (defined as MDA concentration > 2.98 µmol/L and catalase activity < 3.38 U/mg) had higher ESAM than the rest of the patients (17.99 ± 5.02 µg/L vs. 14.29 ± 5.94 µg/L p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: ESAM is higher in T2D than in controls and parallels oxidative stress: ESAM is inversely related to catalase activity and higher ESAM is found in T2D patients with increased oxidative stress.