H-FABP: A beacon of hope for prediabetic heart disease

Abstract

Background:

Prediabetes is increasingly being studied in the context of its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Besides raised HbA1c and sugar levels, the major underlying defect seems to be insulin resistance (IR). Subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) and carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) underlies the pathogenesis of CVD in prediabetes. Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), a novel cardiac biomarker also might have a role in predictin prediabetic heart disease.

Aims:

The aim of the study is to compare serum levels of H-FABP in prediabetics and controls and correlate them with the atherosclerotic markers, hsCRP and CIMT.

Setting and Design:

50 prediabetic patients and 50 age, sex and BMI matched controls were employed in the case control study. Serum F & PPBS, (HbA1c), fasting insulin levels were measured in cases and controls. Serum H-FABP was measured in both cases and controls. All cases and controls were subjected to bilateral CIMT measurements and Serum hsCRP levels. The values were compared between both the groups and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Categorical variables were presented in number and percentage (%) and continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD and median. Normality of data was tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. If the normality was rejected then non parametric test was used. Quantitative variables were compared using Independent t test/Mann-Whitney Test (when the data sets were not normally distributed) between the two groups. Qualitative variables were correlated using Chi-Square test/Fisher's Exact test. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to find out the correlation of various parameters with each other. Univariate linear regression was used to find out the cause and effect relationship between various parameters. A p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.

Results:

The mean serum levels of H-FABP among cases and controls were 6.38± 2.76ng/ml and 3.24 ± 2.47 ng/ml respectively (p <0.0001). Mean CIMT was found to be higher in prediabetics (0.59 ± 0.11 mm ) compared to controls (0.45 ± 0.07mm) (p<0.0001). Serum hsCRP levels were also statistically higher in prediabetics (5.75± 4.16 mg/l) then that of controls (1.86± 1.67 mg/l) (p <0.0001). The correlations of the two variables, hsCRP and CIMT with H-FABP were both strongly positive (r = 0.687) & (r = 0.779) respectively [both cases (p < 0.0001)].

Conclusion:

The novel cardiac biomarker H-FAPB might be a good predictor of cardiovascular risks in prediabetics.

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Pre diabetes is an interim condition associated with an increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes, the common denominator of the two being insulin resistance. An estimated 34% of adults worldwide have pre diabetes and it is also recognized as a reversible condition with improvement in lifestyle and activity.[1]

A study from South Asia found that there was an incidence of 22.2, 29.5, and 51.7 for every 1000 person years for DM, pre diabetes, and “any dysglycemia” respectively. The conversion degree of prediabetes to diabetes was 58.9%.[2]

India, being the “Diabetic capital of the world” leads the world with the largest number of diabetic subjects at least in part due to the so called “Asian Indian Phenotype” with certain unique genetic, clinical, and biochemical abnormalities such as increased insulin resistance, greater abdominal adiposity i.e. higher waist circumference despite lower body mass index and lower adiponectin levels.[3]

Deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in India has increased from 1.3 million in 1990 to 2.8 million in 2016 and metabolic diseases have the maximum causative role.[4]

The incidence and prevalence of macrovascular {including coronary artery disease (CAD)} and microvascular (including nephropathy and retinopathy) complications can be noticed anytime during the course of the diabetic disease spectrum emphasizing on its long asymptomatic course before the development of clinical hyperglycemia.[5]

Studies on prediabetes and CVD also show an estimated relative risk (RR) for cardiovascular disease associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) of 0.97 to 1.30 and with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) of 1.12 to 1.37.[6]

Since atherosclerosis is the basis for the development of cardiovascular diseases initiating as arterial wall lesions and endothelial dysfunction, a great deal of studies have been done to assess the same. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non invasive marker that correlates with CVD risk factors such as blood pressure, lipid profiles, age, and smoking as well as with the extent of coronary artery disease in both women and men. This has led the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) approve it as a valid technique to assess subclinical atherosclerosis.[7]

Since diabetes and the associated CVD are considered as inflammatory processes, measurement of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been used to predict the risk of type 2 DM in patients with metabolic syndrome correlating with the stage of beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Based on multiple epidemiological and intervention studies, minor CRP elevation [high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)] has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular risk.[8]

Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), the myocardial fraction of a group of novel lipid chaperones (14–15 k Da), was found to get released into the bloodstream when the myocardium is injured and hence found to increase in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and various other cardiovascular diseases.[9]

The DM spectrum is thus the epidemic of the century and without effective diagnostic methods at an early stage, diabetes and its complications will continue to rise. By screening and risk-stratifying the individuals of prediabetes, we may be able to develop a strategy to prevent pre diabetes from progressing to diabetes and also to prevent the complications of dysglycemia. The identification and treatment of cardiovascular complications in prediabetics is therefore crucial, and this study focuses on H-FABP as one of the possible diagnostic methods of CVD in pre diabetes and correlating them with the atherosclerotic markers CIMT and hs CRP.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in the Departments of Medicine, Radio diagnosis and Biochemistry at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi after getting clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee vide letter number TP (MD/MS)(74/2017)/IEC/PGIMER/RMLH 17/7/17 dated 30.11.2017.

Study Design: A case control study.

Sample Size The study group consisted of 50 consecutive patients of prediabetes and 50 control subjects from Medicine OPD, Medicine Wards, and Medicine Emergencies of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after fulfilling all inclusion and exclusion criteria and matched for age, sex, and ethnicity.

Study period: 1^st November 2017 to 31^st March 2019

Calculation of sample size

The input for statistical sample size calculation was taken from the study by Basek Karbek et al., 2011.[10]

Patients with impaired glucose tolerance showed a mean (±SD) of 32.5 ± 34.2 ng/dl and controls showed a mean ± SD of 16.8 ± 14.9 ng/dl.

With the above inputs, we considered a minimum difference of about 50% in H-FABP levels in pre diabetics and controls.

With this information, the sample size was calculated as follows.

With an α of 0.05% and β of 0.2%, we get a sample size of 49 on each side.

Mean 1 = 16.8; SD1 = 14.9

Mean 2 = 25.2 (150% of 16.8)

Enrolment ratio of 1

=49 ~ 50.

We require a sample size of 49 on each side (for convenience, 50) to achieve the primary objective of comparing H-FABP between prediabetics and controls.

Inclusion criteria

• 50 Cases of Prediabetes of age 18–65 years as defined by fasting plasma glucose between 100 to 125 mg/dL OR 2 hour postprandial glucose OR 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (after 75 gm of glucose solution ingestion) between 140 to 199 mg/dL OR Hb A1 c = 5.7–6.4%.[11]

• 50 control subjects, matched for age, gender, ethnicity, and body mass index and with fasting blood glucose of less than 100mg/dl and 2 hour postprandial glucose/2 hour OGTT of less than 140mg/dl and HbA1C less than 5.7%, with no known co-morbidities as per exclusion criteria.

{An informed bilingual written consent was taken from each of the patient/relatives for inclusion}.

Exclusion criteria

• Known Hypertensives.

• Known Diabetics

• Chronic smokers

• Chronic alcoholics

• Known cases of cerebrovascular accidents or transient ischemic attacks [TIA]

• Known hypothyroid or hyperthyroid patients.

• Known established cases of stroke, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction.

• Known cases of peripheral vascular disease and history of intermittent claudication.

• Patients with history of pulmonary embolism

• Known cases of chronic renal failure.

• Known cases of cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

• Known cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Vasculitis, malignancy, and connective tissue disorders.

• Known retrovirus positive patients

• Patients on drugs like statins and other anti hyper lipidemic drugs and anti platelet or anti thrombotic drugs.

Methods

All the cases and controls underwent the following examinations and tests:

• Clinical examination:

The study participants were called to the Department of Medicine, Dr. RML hospital and asked to fill a pre determined questionnaire, which included baseline data about age, sex, race, ethnicity, and family history of diabetes or hypertension.

They then underwent a detailed clinical examination including measurement of height (using stadiometer), weight (using a weight measurement scale) and waist circumference at the upper borders of both hip bones (using a standard measuring tape). The body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the square of height (in meters). Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded twice using an automated sphygmomanometer after a 5-min rest and average was calculated.

• Laboratory investigation:

Around 10 mL of fasting blood sample was collected after venipuncture. Investigations done were fasting plasma glucose, post prandial plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting serum insulin levels (measured by chemiluminiscence immuno assay (CLIA) on Vitros ECiQ by Ortho clinical Diagnostics).

All of the samples were analyzed on a fully automated clinical chemistry analyzer in the Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER and Dr. RML hospital, New Delhi.

• Samples for H-FABP and hs CRP were centrifuged and stored in aliquots at -20°Cin the Department of biochemistry until batch analyzed.

Serum heart type fatty acid binding protein

Serum H-FABP kits were imported from RANDOX LABORATORIES, India. Separate kits for cases and controls along with the buffer agents and anti H-FABP latex coated reagents were used- catalogue number: FB 4025 and FB 4026. The stored serum samples were analyzed as a whole by immunoturbidimetric method [Figure 1].

Figure 1.

Showing the measurement of CIMT from a patient in the Department of Radio diagnosis, RMLH. The value recorded was 0.6 mm.

Principle of the test

The samples were assayed on the principle of immunoturbidometry with the help of a H-FABP calibrator series. The samples were allowed to react with a buffer and anti H-FABP coated latex reagents and the formation of antigen-antibody complex during the reaction resulted in an increase in turbidity, the extent of which was measured as the amount of light absorbed at 700 nm. By constructing a standard curve from the absorbance of the standards, H-FABP concentration in the sample was measured.

Measuring range of the kits was 0.747–120 ng/ml.

Measurement of hsCRP

High sensitivity C reactive protein (hs CRP) reagent was used on the VITROS 5,1 FS/4600 Chemistry Systems and the VITROS 5600/XT 7600 Integrated Systems to quantitatively measure C-reactive protein (CRP) in the sample serum, initially stored at -20°C until batch analyzed.

Principles of the procedure

The VITROS Chemistry Products hs CRP Reagent is a dual chambered package containing ready-to-use liquid reagents. Samples, calibrators, and controls were mixed with Reagent 1 containing a buffer. Addition of anti-CRP antibodies coupled to latex microparticles (Reagent 2) produced an immunochemical reaction yielding CRP antigen/antibody complexes. The turbidity was measured spectrophotometrically at 660 nm. Once a calibration had been performed for each reagent lot, the CRP concentration in each sample was determined using the stored calibration curve and the measured absorbance obtained in the assay of the sample.

The interpretation of results were based on guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Heart Association for the assessment of risk for cardiovascular disease in adults.[8] Classification for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Conventional and SI Units (mg/L) is as follows:

Low <1

Average 1–3

High 3–10

In determinant >10

• Ultrasonographic examination:

All cases and controls underwent high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography (USG) with a 7.5 MHz linear probe in the Department of Radiology, RMLH. CIMT was measured as the distance between the two echogenic lines (representing intima and media) as shown in the USG film from bilateral common carotids at a level proximal to the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the mean was calculated and tabulated. All scans and image measurements were carried out by the same investigator, blinded to the status of the participants [Table 1].

Table 1.

Demographic and anthropometric characteristics among cases and controls

PARAMETER	CASES (n=50)	CONTROLS (n=50)	P
AGE (mean±SD)	35.96±4.48	35.94±4.27	0.982
SEX (%)
Males	48(n=24)	54(n=27)	0.548
Females	52(n=26)	46(n=23)
BMI(mean±SD)	24.07±2.71	24.08±2.7	0.99
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE (mean±SD)	82.02±9.22	80.11±13.03	0.775
SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESURE(mean±SD)	116.56±17.08	114.8±9.00	0.521
DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESURE (mean±SD)	73.76±4.25	73.52±5.68	0.811

Statistical analysis

The categorical variables were presented in number and percentage (%) and continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD and median [Table 2]. The normality of data was tested by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. If the normality was rejected then non parametric test was used [Table 3].

Table 2.

Biochemical parameters among cases and controls

PARAMETER (mean±SD)	CASES (n=50)	CONTROLS (n=50)	P
FASTING BLOOD SUGAR	110.86±9.79	86.68±7.14	<0.0001
POSTPRANDIAL BLOOD SUGAR	161.3±21.97	119.68±12.1	<0.0001
HbA1c	6±0.21	4.9±0.46	<0.0001
FASTING INSULIN LEVELS	12.22±5.42	5.37±1.95	<0.0001
SERUM H-FABP	6.38±2.76	3.24±2.47	<0.0001
SERUM hsCRP	5.75±4.16	1.86±1.67	<0.0001
MEAN CIMT	0.59±0.11	0.45±0.07	<0.0001

Table 3.

Serum fasting insulin levels among cases and controls with a cutoff of 9 mL U/l

		GROUP		Total	P
		Case	Control
SERUM FASTING INSULIN LEVELS	<9	14 (28.00%)	48 (96.00%)	62 (62.00%)	<.0001
	>=9	36 (72.00%)	2 (4.00%)	38 (38.00%)
Total		50 (100.00%)	50 (100.00%)	00.00%)

Quantitative variables were compared using Independent t test/Mann–Whitney Test (when the data sets were not normally distributed) between the two groups. Qualitative variables were correlated using Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test [Table 4]. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to find out the correlation of various parameters with each other. Univariate linear regression was used to find out the cause and effect relationship between various parameters. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.

Table 4.

Serum heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP)levels among cases and controls

SERUM HEART TYPE FABP	Cases	Controls
Sample size	50	50	P=<.0001
Mean±SD	6.38±2.76	3.24±2.47
Median	5.93	2.15
Min-Max	2.92-11.6	0.81-9.26
Inter quartile Range	3.630-8.980	-3.120

Results

The primary aim of our study was to assess the serum levels of the variables H-FABP, CIMT, and hsCRP in patients with prediabetes and compare them with the same in normoglycemics [Table 5]. We also attempted to find a possible correlation between H-FABP and atherosclerotic markers, carotid intima-media thickness, and hsCRP.

Table 5.

Mean carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) among cases and controls

MEAN CAROTID ARTERY INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS(mm)	CASES	CONTROLS
Sample size	50	50	P =<.0001
Mean±SD	0.59±0.11	0.45±0.07
Median	0.6	0.45
Min-Max	0.35-0.8	0.3-0.6
Inter quartile Range	0.500-0.700	-0.500

It was a case-control study and after calculating the sample size (50) as per statistical analysis, 50 cases and 50 controls were enrolled. Matching with respect to age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, and BMI was ensured.

The mean serum fasting insulin level among cases was 12.22 m IU/ml and that of the control group was 5.37 mI U/ml (P value < 0.0001). Among the cases, 72% of the total number were found to have a serum fasting insulin level of more than or equal to 9 mI U/ml, whereas only 4% of the controls were found to have so.

The mean H-FABP levels in cases and controls were 6.38ng/ml and 3.24ng/ml respectively and the difference in means gives a P value of < 0.0001 making it statistically significant.

The mean hsCRP levels in cases and controls were 5.75 mg/l and 1.86 mg/l respectively (P < 0.001). Our study also shows a significant proportion of prediabetics falling under the average and high risk categories for CVD based on hs CRP (28% cases with a value of 1–3 and 48% cases (around half of the subjects) with values 3–10 [Table 6].

Table 6.

hsCRP range among cases and controls - Risk stratificationof cardiovascular disease

SERUM hsCRP	GROUP		Total	P
	Case	Control
1)<1(LOW)	2 (4.00%)	18 (36.00%)	20 (20.00%)	<.0001
2)1-<3(AVERAGE)	14 (28.00%)	26 (52.00%)	40 (40.00%)
3)3-10(HIGH)	24 (48.00%)	6 (12.00%)	30 (30.00%)
4)>10(INDETERMINANT)	10 (20.00%)	0 (0.00%)	10 (10.00%)
Total	50 (100.00%)	50 (100.00%)	00.00%)

The hsCRP has been correlated with the serum H-FABP levels in cases and there was a moderate positive correlation between the two variables (P-< 0.001 and the correlation coefficient 0.687 as in Figure 2). The univariate linear regression analysis also showed that, for 1 unit increase in H-FABP, hsCRP increases by a unit of 0.927 [Table 7].

Figure 2.

Correlation of H-FABP and hs CRP

Table 7.

Linear regression

MEAN CAROTID ARTERY INTIMA MEDIAL THICKNESS(mm)
Univariate linear regression
	Unstandardized Coefficients Beta		Standardized Coefficients	P	95.0% Confidence Interval for B
	B	Sth. Error			Lower Bound	Upper Bound
SERUM HEART TYPE FABP	.032	.004	.767	<.0001	.024	.040
SERUM hsCRP
Univariate linear regression
	Unstandardized Coefficients		Standardized Coefficients Beta	P	95.0% Confidence Interval for B
	B	Std. Error			Lower Bound	Upper Bound
SERUM HEART TYPE FABP	.927	.172	.614	<.0001	.581	1.273

The mean values of mean CIMT of cases and controls are 0.59 mm and 0.45 mm respectively (P < 0.0001). There was also a significant positive correlation between the two variables, H-FABP and CIMT (P value < 0.0001) with a correlation coefficient of 0.779 (r-0.779) [Figure 3]. By analyzing logistic regression, we also noticed that for every unit increase in H-FABP, mean CIMT values increase by 0.032 [Table 7].

Figure 3.

Correlation of H-FABP with CIMT

Discussion

Cardiovascular diseases are non communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes and are the foremost cause of significant morbidity and mortality and the need for early screening and diagnosis cannot be overemphasized. Our study underscores the presence of CVD in the forerunner state of prediabetes itself with the classic markers of atherosclerosis, the central mechanism in the pathogenesis of endothelial and myocardial damage. Studies have shown links among the molecular pathways of insulin signaling, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.[12,13] The downregulation of anti atherogenic pathways and the maintained activity of the proatherogenic pathways in insulin-resistant states lead to accelerated atherosclerosis.[14]

Multiple studies have assessed the importance of the H-FABP in coronary and non coronary cardiac diseases. Okamato et al. and Azzazy HM et al. proposed that H-FABP was an excellent biochemical marker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the early phase and also in predicting further cardiac events in such patients.[15,16] Pelsers MM et al. noticed that H-FABP proves to be an excellent early cardiac marker in detecting minor myocardial injury in heart failure and unstable angina, apart from acute coronary syndrome (ACS).[17] Puls M and his colleagues concluded that H-FABP might be a promising indicator of early right ventricular injury in acute pulmonary embolism (PE).[18]

H-FABP has also been studied in pump-related clinical contexts like dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, endocardial fibroelastosis, chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD) with corpulmonale and left heart failure, showing significant differences in values pre and post treatments, with comparable or probably better results to pro-Brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) and troponin T in heart failure syndromes.[19,20,21] A recent study by Hui-Wen Zhang and team published that H-FABP levels were independently associated with worse clinical outcomes in CAD patients in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.[22]

Another study cited H-FABP as an independent predictor for CV outcomes in patients with stable coronary heart disease (SCHD), mainly in CV death and acute heart failure-related hospitalizations.[23]

Apart from the primary cardiac diseases, studies have been done in H-FABP and various metabolic conditions due to their associations with latent cardiac injury as with diabetes, pre diabetes, obesity, and non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and also to assess nocturnal ischemia in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).[24,25,26]

Our study, showing the significantly increased values of H-FABP in pre diabetes is yet another proof to the subclinical heart disease occurring much prior to the development of clinical diabetes. The study done by Basekkarbek et al.[10] also compared H-FABP with CIMT in patients with IFG and IGT and showed a significantly higher H-FABP and CIMT in the prediabetic groups (IFG and IGT) than in the control group (IFG: 0.6 ± 0.1, IGT: 0.6 ± 0.1, and control: 0.5 ± 0.1; P < 0.001). H-FABP was found to positively correlate with CIMT. The results of our study, the first ever of its kind in India are in par with this study done in Turkey.

The mean value of CIMT in cases in our study was 0.59 ± 0.11 mm, the most of the values exceeding the 75^th percentile for age specific values of CIMT.[27] A cross-sectional study by Adolphe A showed that intima-media thickness increased with every additional component of the MetS, from 0.516 mm for 0 components to 0.688 mm for 4 or more components (P <.001).[28] David Faeh et al. studied that age-adjusted levels of the major CVD risk factors and IMT worsened gradually across IGR categories (NFG < IFG/NGT < IFG/IGT < DM).[29]

Our study showed increased values of hsCRP and CIMT in prediabetics and also a positive correlation of the atherogenic indices with HOMA-IR used as a measure of insulin resistance, which signifies the role of insulin resistance in contributing to the atherosclerotic risk in these patients. This was similar to a study by Hulya Parildar and his colleagues who found that serum hs-CRP levels, left, right and maximum CIMT were statistically higher among pre diabetics compared to control group and that there was also a positive, significant correlation among CIMT and fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, hs-CRP levels, and BMI.[30]

Thus, based on the results, we propose that H-FABP can represent early asymptomatic heart disease in the form of coronary diseases (myocardial infarction) and non coronary diseases such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy etc. in prediabetes and signifies a higher atherosclerotic propensity in these individuals when compared to normal subjects. This should pave way for the family physicians and primary health care personnel to stress upon lifestyle modifications and creating awareness to the high risk population about the ill effects of dysglycemia and also the tertiary centres to focus attention on diagnosing CVD in dysglycemic patients early and manage them with diet, lifestyle, and pharmacological measures wherever necessary.

Further studies are required in a wider and mixed population to establish a relationship bringing ethnicity and geographical distribution into account and find how they affect individually, the values of H-FABP. More follow up studies are also essential to propose the prognostic utility in cardiac diseases in these patients.

Conclusion

H-FABP is a promising marker of cardiac and atherosclerotic disease in diagnosing prediabetic heart disease at its incipient stage, which is crucial for the primary prevention of diabetes and CVD related morbidity and mortality.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.