Serum endocan levels, carotid intima-media thickness and microalbuminuria in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension

Background: Endocan is a particular protein of endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of serum endocan levels with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), inflammation, and microalbuminuria in patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension. Materials-Methods: This prospective study included 61 patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension (HT) and 30 controls. Endocan, microalbuminuria and cIMT measurements were taken from all patients. Results: The serum endocan levels, the mean cIMT and microalbuminuria levels of patients with HT were significantly higher than those of the control group (p <.0001, p =.015 and p <.001, respectively). Conclusion: We found that endocan levels were increased in our study. This increase in endocan levels shows a relation with cIMT and microalbuminuria, which are associated with endothelial dysfunction.