Abstract
BackgroundFirst-degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased cardiometabolic risk due to genetic predisposition, even in the absence of overt disease. To evaluate subclinical myocardial dysfunction using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) and to assess serum levels of endothelial dysfunction related biomarkers, Endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin, and Endocan, in normoglycemic FDRs of patients with T2DM, compared with healthy controls.MethodsThis study included 151 normoglycemic participants, comprising 75 individuals in the study group and 76 in the control group. Global longitudinal and circumferential strain values were assessed using STE. Serum levels of ET-1, E-selectin, and Endocan were measured using ELISA.ResultsET-1 levels were significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.047). STE revealed lower strain values in the study group in both SAX Basal/Mid/Apical (p = 0.027) and A4C/A2C/A3C mean views (p = 0.013). E-selectin showed a negative correlation with myocardial strain values, although no significant between-group difference was observed.ConclusionsNormoglycemic FDRs of T2DM patients exhibited subclinical myocardial strain abnormalities and elevated ET-1 levels, suggesting early cardiovascular alterations associated with genetic predisposition. ET-1 and E-selectin may serve as potential biomarkers for preclinical myocardial dysfunction in at-risk individuals.