Serum endocan levels, carotid intima-media thickness and microalbuminuria in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension

ABSTRACT

Background: Endocan is a particular protein of endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of serum endocan levels with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), inflammation, and microalbuminuria in patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension.

Materials-Methods: This prospective study included 61 patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension (HT) and 30 controls. Endocan, microalbuminuria and cIMT measurements were taken from all patients.

Results: The serum endocan levels, the mean cIMT and microalbuminuria levels of patients with HT were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < .0001, p = .015 and p < .001, respectively).

Conclusion: We found that endocan levels were increased in our study. This increase in endocan levels shows a relation with cIMT and microalbuminuria, which are associated with endothelial dysfunction.

KEYWORDS:

• Endocan
• hypertension
• microalbuminuria

Decleration of interests

The authors report no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.