DAs are efficient in less than 20% of non-irradiated patients. They are a good cost-effective alternative for carefully selected patients.

IntroductionAn important factor in vascular wall alterations is degradation of elastic fiber major protein – elastin. As a result, elastin derived peptides (EDP) are found in circulation. Advanced glycation might also involve elastin, because it is a protein with slow metabolism. The aim of our study was to measure serum levels of glycated elastin derived peptides (AGE-EDP) of elastin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and arterial hypertension (AH).Material and methodsWe adapted an ELISA technique for the determination of AGE-EDP. Sera of 93 patients with T2DM and AH (mean age 61.4 ±11.3 years, diabetes duration 9.88 ±3.12 years; hypertension duration 9.28 ±4.98) were tested. These values were compared to 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Diabetics were divided in two groups according to presence – Group 1 (n = 67) or absence – Group 2 (n = 26) of microangiopathy.ResultsPatients with T2DM and AH showed statistically significantly higher levels of AGEEDP in comparison with healthy controls 0.060 (0.053÷0.065) vs. 0.039 (0.031÷0.044) (KW = 35.2; p < 0.0001). Group 1 showed significantly higher levels of AGE-EDP than the control group 0.069 (0.051÷0.070) vs. 0.039 (0.031÷0.044) (KW = 33.0; p < 0.0001). Group 2 also showed significantly higher levels of AGE-EDP than controls 0.058 (0.049÷0.064) vs. 0.039 (0.031÷0.044) (KW = 22.1; p < 0.0001). AGE-EDP showed a correlation with an insulin dose (r = –0.28; p = 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.25; p = 0.01), BMI (r = 0.39; p = 0.01) and retinopathy (r = 0.18; p = 0.05).ConclusionsThe measurement of non-invasive markers of elastin glycation may be useful in monitoring development of vascular wall alterations and therapeutic interventions.

Introduction and aimsArterial hypertension and diabetic vascular complications are connected with an elevated degradation of elastic tissue. This process leads to an increased production of antibodies to collagen type IV (ACIV Abs). In the present investigation we studied whether the serum levels of antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgA) to collagen are related with microvascular complications.Material and methodsSerum levels of antibodies to collagen type IV (ACIV) IgG, IgM and IgA were measured using an ELISA method in 93 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension (AH) (mean age 61.4 ±11.3 years, diabetes duration 9.88 ±3.12 years; hypertension duration 9.28 ±4.98). These values were compared to serum antibodies to CIV in 42 age and sex matched controls.ResultsACIV IgM antibodies levels in patients with AH and T2DM were statisticaly significantly higher than controls 0.178 (0.145÷0.220) vs. 0.142 (0.118÷0.173) (KW = 6.31; p = 0.01). Group 1 (patients with microvascular complications) showed significantly higher levels of ACIV IgM than controls 0.180 (0.136÷0.223) vs. 0.142 (0.118÷0.173) (KW = 5.03; p = 0.02). Patients from Group 2 showed statistically significantly higher levels of ACIV IgM than controls 0.176 (0.151÷0.202) vs. 0.142 (0.118÷0.173) (KW = 6.15; p = 0.01). ACIV IgM antibodies showed correlation with microalbuminuria (r = 0.21); (p = 0.04), BMI (r = 0.19); (p = 0.04), creatinine clearance (r = –0.36); (p = 0.01) and GFR (r = –0.34); (p = 0.02).ConclusionsOur study showed an association between elevation of serum levels of ACIV IgM and development of diabetic nephropathy. We suggest that levels of ACIV IgM can be useful method for identfying a high risk for development of diabetic nephropathy.

0001). Group 1 (patients with microvascular complications) showed a significant increase in free AeAbs igG in comparison with controls: 0.428 (0.343-0.591) vs. 0.240 (0.212-0.305), respectively (kW = 20.14; p < 0.0001). Group 2 also shows higher levels of free AeAbs igG than the control group: 0.398 (0.312-0.467) vs. 0.240 (0.212-0.305), respectively (kW = 8.88; p = 0.003). patients with microvascular complications showed the highest levels of free AeAbs igG. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2.Conclusions: our results show the association between the activity of elastin turnover and microvascular lesions in diabetic patients with arterial hypertension. We suggest that free AeAbs igG mark a later "secondary" step of the autoimmunization to elastin.

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