Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EDMP), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and adiponectin in hyperlipidemic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to compare the two for the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on these markers.
Methods: One hundred and twenty-six hyperlipidemic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus received EPA 1,800 mg daily, and 50 of the patients were non-diabetic.
Results: EDMP and Ang-2 levels prior to treatment were higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients, whereas adiponectin levels were lower in diabetics. When diabetic patients were classified into two groups on the basis of Ang-2 levels, the levels of all markers remained unchanged in those without a high Ang-2 level after EPA treatment. In contrast, all markers except for adiponectin were decreased significantly in diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels after 6 months of EPA treatment. These diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels displayed a more significant increase in adiponectin levels after EPA treatment than those who did not.
Conclusion: These results suggest that EPA possesses an adiponectin-dependent anti-atherosclerotic effect and may be beneficial for the prevention of vascular complications in diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels.