Unmasking silent atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: the emerging role of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein

Magui Abd Elmonem Shalash; Noha Said Kandil; Omnia Ezz Eldin Alsaadany; Aya Fathy Radwan; Reem Mahmoud Fathalla

doi:10.2478/enr-2026-0019

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Unmasking silent atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: the emerging role of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein

Endocrine Regulations

Volume 60 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Magui Abd Elmonem Shalash, Noha Said Kandil, Omnia Ezz Eldin Alsaadany, Aya Fathy Radwan and Reem Mahmoud Fathalla

Open Access

|Aug 2026

Abstract

Objectives. Atherosclerosis contributes to higher mortality and morbidity in people with diabetes. Preventing future complications largely depends on the early detection of imminent atherosclerosis. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the subclinical atherosclerosis measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and circulating levels of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods. A total of 80 participants evenly divided into two groups: 40 newly diagnosed patients with T2DM and 40 healthy controls. Patients with T2DM had no prior history or clinical signs of macrovascular complications, such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular stroke or peripheral artery disease. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured. Plasma AFABP levels were determined using a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. ABI was assessed using a sphygmomanometer with a cuff that fits the limb’s circumference and a portable Doppler device. Doppler ultrasound of the carotid artery was used to measure CIMT.

Results. In patients with T2DM, circulating AFABP levels were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (p=0.007). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that AFABP is the only independent factor influencing the maximum CIMT (β=0.004, 95% CI: 0.001–0.007, p=0.017).

Conclusion. Plasma AFABP level could serve as a biomarker for early diagnosis of atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/enr-2026-0019 | Journal eISSN: 1336-0329 | Journal ISSN: 1210-0668

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Language: English

Page range: 190 - 195

Published on: Aug 31, 2026

Published by: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

type 2 diabetes mellitus,

atherosclerosis,

carotid intima-media thickness,

adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein

Related subjects:

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Clinical medicine,

Internal medicine,

Endocrinology, diabetology

© 2026 Magui Abd Elmonem Shalash, Noha Said Kandil, Omnia Ezz Eldin Alsaadany, Aya Fathy Radwan, Reem Mahmoud Fathalla, published by Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 60 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)