Objective This study investigated the role of plasma adropin levels to show endothelial dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to compare these with flow-mediated dilatation.

Results The mean flow-mediated dilatation values were 13.2% ± 4.9% in the nonendothelial dysfunction group, and 3.5% ± 3.4% in the endothelial dysfunction group. Mean hemoglobin A_1c levels were significantly higher in the endothelial dysfunction group than in the nonendothelial dysfunction group (8.7% ± 1.9% vs 7.9% ± 1.6%, respectively; P < 0.038). Mean plasma adropin levels were 3.04 ± 0.79 ng/mL in the endothelial dysfunction group and 4.67 ± 1.43 ng/mL in the nonendothelial dysfunction group; P < 0.001. Plasma adropin levels showed no correlation with body mass index (r = −0.072, P = 0.497) but were positively correlated with flow-mediated dilatation values (r = 0.537, P < 0.001). In the linear regression analysis, adropin and hemoglobin A_1c were independent risk factors for endothelial dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion Adropin is a new marker for use in demonstrating endothelial dysfunction.