Correlation of E-selectin concentrations with carotid intima-media thickness and cardio-metabolic profile of mixed ancestry South Africans: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Annals of clinical biochemistry 2017-01, Vol.54 (1), p.92-100
• Main Authors: Zemlin, Annalise E, Matsha, Tandi E, Kengne, Andre P, Hon, Gloudina M, Erasmus, Rajiv T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: African Continental Ancestry Group; Age Factors; Aged; Atherosclerosis - blood; Atherosclerosis - diagnosis; Atherosclerosis - ethnology; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - pathology; E-Selectin - blood; E-Selectin - genetics; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Gene Expression; Humans; Hyperglycemia - blood; Hyperglycemia - diagnosis; Hyperglycemia - ethnology; Hyperglycemia - pathology; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; South Africa
• ISSN: 0004-5632; 1758-1001
• DOI: 10.1177/0004563216640001

Background E-selectin, an adhesion molecule, is a specific marker of endothelial dysfunction. High concentrations have been reported in type 2 diabetes and disorders with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis. We examined the relationship between E-selectin concentrations, CIMT and cardio-metabolic traits in normo- and hyperglycaemic mixed ancestry South Africans. Methods E-selectin concentrations were determined in 308 subjects from the Cape Town Bellville South Community–based study on a mixed ancestry population. Their correlation with CIMT and cardio-metabolic profile used robust correlations and linear regression models. Results E-selectin concentrations were significantly higher in the hyperglycaemic (median 139.8 µg/L) compared to the normoglycaemic group (median 118.8 µg/L), (p = 0.0007). Significant differences between the two groups were found for markers of glycaemia and adiposity, but not for CIMT. Significant correlations were found between E-selectin and age, markers of glycaemia and inflammation, central obesity and lipid variables. Associations remained significant only with age, hyperglycaemia and C-reactive protein in robust linear regression models. In similar regressions models, age and gender were the main predictors of CIMT, which was not associated with E-selectin. Conclusions E-selectin concentrations in this study were associated with hyperglycaemia, possibly reflecting early endothelial damage. However, E-selectin was not useful to assess CIMT, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, which appeared to be determined by ageing and male gender.