Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilatation Changes in Endothelium Due to Hyperuricemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: This study aims to evaluate serum uric acid levels and assess its effect on endothelial dysfunction by measuring flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of brachial artery in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Study Design: Observational and prospective
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Department of Biochemistry and Department of Radiology, MGM Medical College, Navi-Mumbai from August 2010 to 2012
Methodology: Total 90 patients were selected and divided in to three groups. Group I (n=30) – Controls, Group II A & B (n=60) –Diabetic patients without & with hyperuricemia (HUA). All subjects were examined by high resolution ultrasound to measure FMD. Serum uric acid and nitric oxide (NO) levels along with other biochemical parameters were estimated.
Result: Group II B showed significantly increased serum uric acid levels (p<0.001) along with decreased levels of serum NO (p< 0.0001) and decreased vasodilatation when measured by FMD. (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The FMD of brachial artery along with serum NO levels are reduced in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with HUA. Uric acid may be a contributing factor to endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Such endothelial damage may be preventable by regularly monitoring uric acid levels and pharmacologically treating HUA.