Serum taurine level versus endocan as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of ischemic diabetic foot in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: Our goal is to break the vicious cycle between diabetes and its critical complications by measuring two potential biomarkers (Endocan and Taurine) that are used as pre-diagnostic markers of diabetic complications (ischemic diabetic foot) in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: 90 diabetic patients were recruited from the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE); 70 patients had ischemic diabetic foot, and 20 diabetic controlled patients who did not have ischemic diabetic foot were designated diabetic controlled patients. Ten healthy, non-diabetic individuals signed up as volunteers. All patients and volunteers underwent a full clinical examination, investigation, and biochemical analysis (liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, CRP, albumin, and complete blood count), as well as measurements of FBG, 2PP, fructose amine, and the recently discovered two possible biomarkers endocan and taurine. 

Results: The data demonstrated no significant difference in liver functions, renal functions, lipid profile, albumin and CBC except (WBCs) in all patients compared to the control group (p> 0.05). However, there is a substantial shift in WBCs, CRP, FBG, 2PP, and fructose amine (p<0.05). On the other hand, the data revealed a very substantial decrease in serum taurine and an increase in serum endocan in all diabetes patients based on the severity of the ischemic diabetic foot as compared to healthy controls.

Conclusion: Serum endocan levels are raised in diabetic patients based on the degree of inflammation. In contrast, the level of taurine decreases in proportion to the severity of the inflammatory foot. Thus, endocan and taurine are regarded as early diagnostic markers of ischemic diabetic foot complications.