Differences in Expression of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Different Age CHRISTOS KALOFOUTIS, a CHRISTINA PIPERI, a AIKATERINI ZISAKI, a JAIPAUL SINGH, b FRED HARRIS, c DAVID PHOENIX, c ANTONIS ALAVERAS, a AND ANASTASIOS KALOFOUTIS a a Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, M. Asias 75, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece b Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE United Kingdom c Faculty of Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE United Kingdom ABSTRACT: Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the major cause of mortality in type II diabetes (T2DM) as well as a major contributor to morbidity and lifetime costs. The purpose of this article is the identification of the biochemical parameters in plasma, which may serve as predisposition factors to CVD in T2DM patients of different ages. The variability of hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and inflammation with age progression was also studied for comparison. Four different diabetic groups allocated on the basis of the subjects’ age (Group A: 15–25 years old; Group B: 26–40 years old; Group C: 40–60 years old; Group D: 60–80 years old) and consisting of 10 patients each, in parallel with 10 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and ethnic origin were screened for glucose, insulin, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL), and inflammatory mediators (CRP, IL-6, and TNF- ). Significant differences were observed among the expressions of biochemical markers among different age groups. Hy- perglycemia showed no variability with age whereas dyslipidemia cor- related positively with age progression, as well as obesity, low physical activity, and family history of heart disease or diabetes. Marked inflam- mation was prominent only in Groups C and D. This article indicates that different biochemical parameters may be used for the assessment of CVD risk in T2DM patients of variable age. Address for correspondence: Christina Piperi, Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, M. Asias 75, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece. Voice: 30-210-7462610; fax: 30-210-8037372. e-mail: cpiperi@med.uoa.gr Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1084: 166–177 (2006). C  2006 New York Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1196/annals.1372.001 166