Visfatin and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetes: Impact of Cardiovascular Drugs

Background and Objectives: The role of adipokines in the development of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has not yet been fully elucidated. The effects of drugs on adipokine concentrations have only been evaluated in very few studies, although they may be of clinical importance. This study aimed to assess whether the concentrations of circulating adipokines could predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, as well as their interactions with commonly used cardiovascular drugs. Materials and Methods: Our population-based cross-sectional multicentric study included 216 participants with T2DM but without previously diagnosed atherosclerosis. The carotid artery intima–media thickness (IMT), plaque and ankle–brachial index (ABI) metrics were measured. Resistin, visfatin, retinol-binding protein 4, high molecular weight adiponectin and leptin levels were evaluated using Luminex’s xMAP technology. Results: Visfatin and resistin concentrations correlated positively with IMT (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009, respectively). The correlation of visfatin to IMT ≥ 1.0 mm was significant in males (p < 0.001). Visfatin had a positive correlation with IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque (p = 0.008) but resistin only correlated with plaque (p = 0.049). Visfatin predicted IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque in patients on β-blocker monotherapy (p = 0.031). Visfatin lost its ability to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers or statins. After adjustments for risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular drugs, visfatin maintained an independent association with mean IMT (p = 0.003), IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque (p = 0.005) and ABI ≤ 0.9 (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Visfatin could be used as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, especially in males. The assessment of visfatin concentration could aid in identifying individuals who could benefit from implementing preventive measures against atherosclerosis.