Plasma free N-terminal fibronectin 30-kDa domain as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus

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Abstract
The plasma free N-terminal fibronectin 30-kDa domain was measured in 44 type 1 diabetic patients and in 20 healthy subjects. A significantly raised mean concentration of a free N-terminal fibronectin 30-kDa domain was found in plasma of diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy as compared with healthy persons (P < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between free N-terminal fibronectin 30-kDa domain and von Willebrand factor in plasma of all examined subjects (r = 0.62, P < 0.01). A similar correlation was present between 30-kDa domain and albuminuria (r = 0.56, P < 0.01). However, no relationship was found between fibronectin and 30-kDa domain and control of diabetes as assessed by fructosamine concentration. The free N-terminal fibronectin 30-kDa domain may be used as a marker of actual endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetes.