LAUSR

Abstract Objectives Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of vascular disease in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In the present study, we aimed to investigate serum endocan and soluble endoglin (S-endoglin) levels, and their relation with metabolic control in children with T1DM, which was not previously assessed. Methods A total of 64 T1DM subjects and 64 healthy subjects were included in this study. Their anthropometric features, arterial blood pressures, pubertal status, insulin doses were recorded. Glycated hemoglobin, serum endocan and S-endoglin levels were measured and compared to each other. Results Serum endocan and S-endoglin levels were higher in children with T1DM than those of healthy group (p<0.01). Significant positive correlation was detected between both endocan and S-endoglin (r=0.579, p<0.001); and HbA1c and endocan (r=0.296, p=0.01). Compared to patients with good metabolic control, those with poorer metabolic control (HbA1c > 8%) had an older age, longer duration of diabetes, higher number of pubertal children. Also, patients with poorer metabolic control had higher endocan and S-endoglin levels than those of healthy group, but this finding did not reach statistical significance. There was no correlation between the endocan/S-endoglin levels and age, duration of diabetes and insulin dose. Conclusion Serum levels of endocan and S-endoglin which are novel biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction are high in children with T1DM. Elevated serum endocan and endoglin levels in children with T1DM without microvascular complications indicates endothelial damage in very early stages of the disease.