Serum VCAM-1, zinc status, and cardiorenal risk markers in Iraqi adults with type 2 diabetes: A case control study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate serum vascular cell adhesion molecule‑1 (VCAM‑1), zinc, renal indices, and lipid profile in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with healthy controls, and to explore their associations with glycaemic variables.

Methods: This hospital‑based case‑control study included 120 participants (60 with T2DM, 60 controls) from Karbala, Iraq. Serum VCAM‑1, zinc, iron, fasting glucose, HbA1c, creatinine, lipid profile, urinary microalbumin, and urinary albumin‑to‑creatinine ratio (uACR) were measured using standard chemistry, HPLC, and ELISA methods. Comparisons, correlations, ROC analysis, and binary logistic regression were performed.

Results: Compared with controls, the T2DM group had poorer glycaemic status, higher uACR and serum creatinine, significantly higher VCAM‑1 (29.6 ± 12.36 vs 25.6 ± 4.45 ng/mL, P = 0.029), lower zinc (99.4 ± 18.01 vs 107.9 ± 14.02 µg/dL, P = 0.028), and a more atherogenic lipid profile (higher triglycerides, LDL‑C, VLDL‑C; lower HDL‑C). Triglycerides and VLDL‑C correlated positively with fasting glucose and HbA1c, and LDL‑C with HbA1c. In univariable binary logistic regression, VCAM‑1 was not a statistically significant independent predictor of T2DM (OR = 1.070, 95% CI: 0.989–1.157, P = 0.091).

Conclusion: T2DM is associated with concurrent metabolic, renal, endothelial, and trace‑element disturbances. However, VCAM‑1 showed limited discriminative ability and was not an independent predictor in this dataset, arguing against its use as a standalone clinical marker.