title: Circulating angiopoietin-2 and soluble Tie-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased levels of Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and soluble Tie-2 (sTie-2), but its impact on vascular disease is still unknown. This study aimed to further explore the associations of Ang-2 and sTie-2 with metabolic control and diabetic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional designed study, levels of Ang-2 and sTie-2 as well as their relationships to cardiometabolic parameters were determined in 80 type 2 diabetic subjects (age 65 ± 7 years, female 47.4%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for age and BMI, Ang-2 levels were associated with levels of sTie-2, diastolic blood pressure, plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (all p < 0.02). Presence of diabetic macrovascular complications, polyneuropathy and insulin therapy were associated with higher Ang-2 levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, sTie-2 levels were associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and liver function parameters (all p < 0.03). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Ang-2 remained significantly associated only with levels of GGT (p < 0.04), whereas sTie-2 remained significantly associated with HbA(1c), insulin levels, and HOMA-IR (p < 0.03). No differences in Ang-2 and sTie-2 levels were observed with regard to gender of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ang-2 is independently associated with levels of GGT while sTie-2 is independently associated with levels of HbA(1c), plasma insulin and HOMA-IR in type 2 diabetic subjects. Therefore we suggest that the associations of Ang-2 and sTie-2 with type 2 diabetes are based on different patho-physiological mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Unit of Gender Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Sazan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasul
authors.forename: Marie Helene
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: Aysegul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilhan
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lampichler
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kautzky-Willer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C554782:gamma-glutamyltransferase, human