Abstract

Background:Von Willebrand factor (vWF) has generally been regarded as a good predictor of vascular risk. However, no previous studies have examined its relationship with coronary calcification. The aim of this study was to determine whether vWF activity is higher in type 1 diabetic patients than controls; its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors; and to endothelial nitric oxide production and coronary artery calcification.Material/Methods:Von Willebrand factor activity was measured in 181 type 1 diabetic patients and 188 controls. Coronary artery calcification was measured by Electron Beam Computed Tomography. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous plethysmography in response to intra-brachial infusion of bradykinin, glyceryl trinitrate, noradrenaline and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) in 149 subjects.Results:Von Willebrand factor was significantly increased in diabetic patients compared to controls (median 100% vs 87%, p=0.001). Von Willebrand factor activity was significantly higher in diabetic patients with micro/macroalbuminuria than those with normoalbuminuria (109% vs 93%, p

Keywords: Albuminuria - metabolism, Area Under Curve, Bradykinin - metabolism, Bradykinin - therapeutic use, Calcinosis - metabolism, Calcinosis - pathology, Coronary Arteriosclerosis - drug therapy, Coronary Arteriosclerosis - metabolism, Coronary Arteriosclerosis - pathology, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - drug therapy, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism, Enzyme Inhibitors - metabolism, Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use, Nitric Oxide - metabolism, Nitroglycerin - metabolism, Nitroglycerin - therapeutic use, Risk Factors, Statistics, Vasodilator Agents - metabolism, Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use, omega-N-Methylarginine - metabolism, omega-N-Methylarginine - therapeutic use, von Willebrand Factor - metabolism