Relationship of Corrected QT Intervals with Adipokines and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between QTc and various insulin sensitive or insulin resistant adipocytokines such as leptin, adiponectin, RBP4, and PAI-1 as well as inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Method QTc, blood and urine tests were performed in 101 type 2 diabetic patients hospitalized because of diabetic education and/or glycemic control. These measurements were performed early in the morning after overnight fasting. Results Significant positive correlation between QTc and serum leptin, RBP4, and adiponectin levels was obtained (P <0.0001, P =0.0009, P =0.0067, respectively), but there was no correlation with PAI-1. In addition, QTc was positively associated with hsCRP and fibrinogen (P =0.0396, P <0.0001, respectively). No correlation was obtained between QTc and FMD, reflecting vascular endothelial function, and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α, reflecting systemic oxidative stress. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, leptin and RBP4 had the significant association with QTc as a dependent variable (P =0.0413, P =0.0001, respectively). Conclusion These findings show that QTc positively correlates with adipocytokines, especially leptin and RBP4. Abbreviations QTc: corrected QT intervals, RBP4: retinol binding protein 4, PAI-1: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, hsCRP: high sensitivity C reactive protein, FMD: flow-mediated vasodilatation.