SINOPSIS

Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of macrovascular complications of diabetes and atherosclerosis. Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-II (EMAP-II) is a multifunctional polypeptide with proinflammatory and antiangiogenic activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the serum level of EMAP-II in obese and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We have found an increase in the serum level of EMAP-II in obese diabetic patients compared to obese subjects without diabetes, and in non-obese diabetic patients compared to control subjects. Moreover, a significant elevation of the serum EMAP-II in obese patients without diabetes compared to control subjects was observed. In obese and non-obese patients with diabetes mellitus, the serum levels of EMAP-II correlate significantly with HbAc1, blood glucose, body mass index, as well as with total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. The revealed elevation of the serum level of EMAP-II reflects endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and obesity appear to be significant factors to contribute to elevation of EMAP-II level.