| Summary: | Abstract Background Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase reactant that mediates immune responses triggered by LPS. Recent evidence indicates the association of circulating LBP levels with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum LBP levels and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 196 patients with type 2 diabetes, including 101 men and 95 women, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fasting serum LBP levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results The mean values of serum LBP and aortic PWV were 18.2 μg/mL and 1194 cm/s, respectively. Serum LBP levels were positively correlated with body mass index, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance index and were negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. They were, however, not significantly correlated with aortic PWV in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum LBP levels were independently and positively associated with aortic PWV (β = 0.135, p = 0.026) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Further analyses revealed that the impact of serum LBP levels on aortic PWV was modified by sex, and the association between serum LBP levels and aortic PWV was found to be significant only in men. Conclusions Serum LBP levels are associated with arterial stiffness, independent of obesity and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, especially in men with type 2 diabetes. This study indicates a potential role of the LPS/LBP-induced innate immunity in the development and progression of arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes.
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