Microparticles (MPs) are associated with several cardiovascular complications. As multifunction biomarkers, they may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes-associated vascular diseases. A total of 39 patients with diabetes and hypertension, 24 patients with diabetes without hypertension, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Flow cytometry was applied to detect plasma MPs, including endothelial MPs (EMPs), annexin V+MPs, platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), and leukocyte-derived MPs (LMPs). Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was also performed in admission. Plasma EMPs, annexin V+MPs, PMPs, and LMPs in diabetics with or without hypertension were higher than those in control patients. Among diabetics, only EMPs in patients with hypertension was higher than in those without hypertension. Correlation analysis showed that systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure were positively correlated with EMPs. Multivariant analysis demonstrated that EMP was an independent risk factor for the presence of hypertension in diabetics (odds ratio, 2.822; 95% confidence interval, 1.265-6.296; P=.011). Furthermore, baPWV in diabetics with hypertension (1910±355 cm/s) was higher than that in control patients (1441±198 cm/s) and diabetics without hypertension (1727±2 cm/s). Multivariant analysis identified EMP as a potent contributor to the development of impaired artery elasticity in diabetics (odds ratio, 4.401; 95% confidence interval, 1.529-12.673; P=.006). Plasma EMP was associated with the presence of hypertension and impaired arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes.
© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.