Clinacanthus nutans: Its potential against diabetic vascular diseases

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, with approximately 80% of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity linked to vascular complications such as atherosclerosis. It has been estimated that up to one-third of patients with diabetes mellitus use some form of complementary and/or alternative medicine. One plant that has received attention from diabetic patients for its perceived antidiabetic properties is Clinacanthus nutans, a member of the Acanthaceae family that is known as snake grass. Ethnomedical applications of this herb have been identified for the treatment of certain conditions, including fever, diabetes, skin rashes, and insect bites. This review aims to assess the potential of C. nutans to be used in the prevention and/or treatment of diabetic vasculopathy. Evidence for antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and dyslipidemic properties of C. nutans, as shown from experimental studies, is presented and discussed. Diabetes, inflammation, and hyperlipidemia are known to play significant roles in the initiation and severity of diabetic cardiovascular disease; thus, targeting these factors might be beneficial for preventing and/or treating diabetic vasculopathy.

Importancia médica del glucocáliz endotelial: Parte 2: su papel en enfermedades vasculares y complicaciones de la diabetes mellitus / Medical significance of endothelial glycocalyx: Part 2: Its role in vascular diseases and in diabetic complications

El glucocáliz endotelial es una capa constituida por glucosaminoglicanos, proteoglicanos y glucoproteínas que cubre al endotelio en su cara luminal. La participación del deterioro del glucocáliz endotelial parece esencial en los pasos iniciales de la fisiopatología de la aterosclerosis, de las complicaciones microangiopáticas de la diabetes mellitus y de la enfermedad venosa crónica. Los factores de riesgo de la aterosclerosis como la hipercolesterolemia, la hiperglucemia, la inflamación, el exceso de sodio y las fuerzas de tensión alteradas causan deterioro del glucocáliz. Esto provoca disfunción endotelial y permite la filtración de lipoproteínas (LDL) y de leucocitos al espacio subendotelial, iniciando la formación de la placa de ateroma. En la diabetes el glucocáliz adelgazado, principalmente por estrés oxidativo, posibilita la filtración de proteínas (albuminuria) y el trastorno endotelial de la microangiopatía. La hipertensión venosa crónica altera las fuerzas de tensión y daña el glucocáliz, lo que permite la filtración de leucocitos a las partes más profundas de la pared venosa, iniciando la inflamación y el deterioro morfológico y funcional de las venas que lleva a la enfermedad venosa crónica. El tratamiento con glucosaminoglicanos (sulodexida) logra prevenir o revertir el daño al glucocáliz endotelial y algunas de sus consecuencias; es eficaz en la enfermedad venosa crónica, especialmente con úlceras venosas. También ha sido útil en aterosclerosis obliterante de miembros inferiores y en la nefropatía diabética con albuminuria.

Endothelial glycocalyx is a layer composed by glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and glycoproteins attached to the vascular endothelial luminal surface. Shredding of glycocalyx appears as an essential initial step in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and microangiopathic complications of diabetes mellitus, as well as in chronic venous disease. Atherosclerosis risk factors, as hypercholesterolemia (LDL), hyperglycemia, inflammation, salt excess and altered shear stress can damage glycocalyx. This lead to endothelial dysfunction and allows LDL and leukocytes to filtrate to the subendothelial space initiating atheroma plaque formation. Degradation of glycocalyx in diabetes mellitus is mainly due to oxidative stress and enables protein filtration (albuminuria) and endothelial disorder of microangiopathy. Chronic venous hypertension brings to altered shears stress which results in shredded glycocalyx, this allows leukocytes to migrate into venous wall and initiate inflammation leading to morphologic and functional venous changes of the chronic venous disease. Treatment with glycosaminoglycans (sulodexide) prevents or recovers the damaged glycocalyx and several of its consequences. This drug improves chronic venous disease and promotes healing of chronic venous ulcers. It has also been useful in peripheral arterial obstructive disease and in diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria.

Efecto del sulodexide sobre la capacidad de relajación y alteraciones estructurales de la arteria aorta en ratas diabéticas por estreptozotocina / Effect of sulodexide on aortic vasodilation capacity and associated morphological changes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

La disfunción endotelial (DE) se presenta en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia, hipertensión arterial, obesidad y diabetes mellitus. Evidencias sugieren un papel de los glicosaminoglicanos en la DE. Evaluamos el efecto del sulodexide (SLD), un glicosaminoglicano utilizado en el tratamiento de la albuminuria y la enfermedad isquémica en pacientes diabéticos, sobre la relajación arterial y los cambios morfológicos en un modelo experimental de diabetes tipo 1. La diabetes se indujo a ratas Sprague Dawley administrando estreptozotocina (STZ), 60 mg/kg, i.v. Los animales fueron distribuidos en los siguientes grupos: I= control, II= diabéticas, III: control + sulodexide, IV= diabéticas + sulodexide (15 mg/kg/día s.c). A los 3 meses fueron sacrificados, las aortas extraídas para evaluar la relajación vascular inducida por acetilcolina (Ach) y nitroprusiato de sodio en anillos precontraídos con fenilefrina. Fueron evaluadas histológicamente mediante microscopía de luz y coloraciones diversas. El SLD in vitro no modificó la tensión basal de los anillos arteriales en reposo o precontraídos con fenilefrina. La diabetes disminuyó la capacidad de relajación arterial en respuesta a la Ach en un 28,8-35,1% vs control, efecto que fue prevenido por SLD. No se observó diferencia significativa en la relajación inducida por nitroprusiato sódico entre los grupos. El estudio histológico en los animales diabéticos mostró alteraciones estructurales, particularmente en la íntima y la adventicia, cambios que fueron prevenidos por el tratamiento con SLD. Nuestros resultados apoyan la potencial utilidad terapéutica del SLD en el tratamiento de la disfunción endotelial.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is observed in patients with hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus. Recent evidences suggest the involvement of glycosaminoglycans(GSG) in ED. We evaluated the effect of sulodexide (SLD), a natural GSG used in albuminuria and ischemic diabetes treatment, on arterial relaxation and vascular morphological changes in a diabetic type I model. Diabetes was induced, in Sprague-Dawley rats by streptozotocine (STZ) administration, 60 mg, iv. Rats were divided into four groups; I: control, II: diabetics, III: control + SLD, IV: diabetics treated with SLD (15 mg/day). After three months, phenylephrine precontracted aortic rings were used to evaluate acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (NPS) relaxation capacities. Light microscopy of aorta was done with several staining procedures. In vitro, SLD did not change smooth muscle tone in resting or phenylephrine precontracted aortic rings. In diabetic rats, ACh relaxation was 28.8-35.1% lower than in control rats. Diabetic rats treated with SLD showed aortic ACh relaxation similar to control rats. No significative statistical difference was found in endothelium-independent NPS relaxation, between the different groups. Light microscopy histological studies revealed important morphological alterations, particularly in intima and adventitia layers of aortic artery; those changes were dramatically reversed in SLD treated rats. Our experiments support the conclusion that SLD is a potential drug for improving endothelial dysfunction in diabetes.

Heterogeneidade clínica e coexistência das neuropatias diabéticas: diferenças e semelhanças entre diabetes melito tipos 1 e 2 / Clinical heterogeneity and coexistence of diabetic neuropathies: difference and similarities between types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJETIVO: Estudar a heterogeneidade e a coexistência das neuropatias no diabetes melito tipos 1 (DMT1) e 2 (DMT2). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 74 DMT2 e 20 DMT1 em relação à idade (anos), tempo de diagnóstico do DM (TDDM, em anos), índice de massa corpórea (IMC, kg/m²), HbA1c e tipo de neuropatia (critérios da American Diabetes Association). RESULTADOS: DMT1 era mais jovem (32,7 ± 11 versus 56,9 ± 10,3; p = 0,0001), com maior TDDM (17,1 ± 9,7 versus 10,4 ± 6,8; p = 0,003) e menor IMC (23,6 ± 3,8 versus 28,4 ± 5,3; p = 0,0005). A neuropatia autonômica cardiovascular (NAC) (60 por cento versus 32,4 por cento; p = 0,02) e a coexistência desta com polineuropatia (PND) (62,5 por cento versus 33,3 por cento; p = 0,03) foram mais prevalentes no DMT1; a PND dolorosa crônica (PNDDC) (60,8 por cento versus 30,0 por cento; p = 0,009) o foi no DMT2. A HbA1c (p = 0,04) foi preditiva de PND em ambos os grupos. O TDDM (p = 0,03) e a PNDDC (p = 0,003) foram preditivos de NAC no DMT1. A idade (p = 0,0004) teve valor preditivo para PNDDC no DMT2. CONCLUSÕES: As neuropatias apresentam distribuição heterogênea no DMT1 e no DMT2. Com exceção do controle glicêmico, os fatores relacionados a essa complicação diferem de acordo com o tipo de diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the heterogeneity and the coexistence of diabetic neuropathy (DNP) in type 1 (T1DM) and 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 74 T2DM and 20 T1DM patients were evaluated according to age (years), time from diagnosis of diabetes (TDD, years), body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), HbA1c and DNP type (American Diabetes Association criteria). RESULTS: T1DM was younger (32.7 ± 11.0 versus 56.9 ± 10.3; p = 0.0001), leaner (BMI: 23.6 ± 3.85 versus 28.4 ± 5.3; p = 0.0005) and they had longer TDD (17.1 ± 9.7 versus 10.4 ± 6.8; p = 0.003). Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) (60 percent versus 32.4 percent; p = 0.02) and its coexistence with polyneuropathy (PN) (62.5 percent versus 33.3 percent; p = 0.03) were more common in T1DM. Chronic painful polyneuropathy (CPP) was more prevalent in T2DM (60.8 percent versus 30.0 percent; p = 0.009). Logistic regression showed HbA1c as an independent variable related to PN (p = 0.04) in both groups. TDD (p = 0.03) and CPP (p = 0.003) were related to CAN in T1DM. Age (p = 0.0004) was related to CPP in T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: The DNP have shown a heterogeneity distribution in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The related factors to different phenotypes of this complication, apart from hyperglycemia, may be variable between these two types of diabetes mellitus.

Doença arterial coronariana subclínica em pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1 em hemodiálise / Enfermedad arterial coronaria subclínica en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1 en hemodiálisis / Subclinical coronary artery disease in patients with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus undergoing hemodialysis

FUNDAMENTO: A aterosclerose ocorre mais cedo em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM-1) e a doença arterial coronariana (DAC) constitui a mais importante causa de morte. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e as características anatômicas da DAC em pacientes com DM-1 e insuficiência renal crônica, submetidos à diálise. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo descritivo de 20 pacientes com DM-1 submetidos à diálise sem DAC conhecida. A DAC foi avaliada através de angiografia coronariana quantitativa (ACQ) e ultra-som intravascular (USIV). A ACQ foi realizada em todas as lesões >30 por cento, visualmente Todos os segmentos proximais de 18 mm das artérias coronárias foram analisados por USIV. Todos os outros segmentos coronarianos com estenose >30 por cento também foram analisados. RESULTADOS: A angiografia detectou 29 lesões >30 por cento em 15 pacientes (75 por cento). Onze (55 por cento) das lesões eram >50 por cento e 10 (50 por cento) >70 por cento. Treze pacientes tiveram as 3 principais artérias avaliadas pelo USIV. A aterosclerose estava presente em todos os pacientes e em todos os 51 segmentos proximais de 18 mm analisados. Esses segmentos significam que a medida do diâmetro dos vasos apresentava-se significantemente maior no USIV do que na ACQ, em todos os vasos. As imagens do ISIV de 25 (86,2 por cento) das 29 lesões >30 por cento foram obtidas. Placas fibróticas eram comuns (48 por cento) e 60 por cento apresentavam remodelamento intermediário de vasos. CONCLUSÃO: A DAC estava presente em todos os vasos de todos os pacientes com diabete tipo 1 submetidos a hemodiálise. Esses achados estão de acordo com outros estudos de autópsia, angiografia e USIV. Além disso, eles indicam a necessidade de estudos adicionais epidemiológicos e de imagem, para um melhor entendimento e tratamento de uma condição clínica complexa e grave que afeta jovens indivíduos.

BACKGROUND: In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis occurs earlier in life and coronary artery disease (CAD) constitutes the major cause of death. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prevalence and anatomic characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 1 diabetic patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 20 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus undergoing hemodialysis without known CAD. CAD was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). QCA was performed in all lesions >30 percent, visually. All proximal 18-mm segments of the coronary arteries were analyzed by IVUS. All other coronary segments with stenosis >30 percent were also analyzed. RESULTS: Angiography detected 29 lesions >30 percent in 15 patients (75 percent). Eleven (55 percent) of the lesions were >50 percent and 10 (50 percent) >70 percent. Thirteen patients had all 3 major arteries interrogated by IVUS. Atherosclerosis was present in all patients and in all 51 proximal 18-mm segments analyzed. The mean vessel diameter of these segments was significantly larger at the IVUS than at the QCA, for all vessels. IVUS images of 25 (86.2 percent) of the 29 lesions >30 percent were obtained. Fibrotic plaques were common (48 percent) and 60 percent had intermediate vessel remodeling. CONCLUSION: CAD was present in all vessels of all type 1 diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. These findings are in agreement with other autopsy, angiography and IVUS studies. Additionally, they indicate the need for additional epidemiological and imaging studies to better understand and treat such a complex and serious clinical condition affecting young people.

FUNDAMENTO: La aterosclerosis ocurre más temprano en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM-1) y la enfermedad arterial coronaria (EAC) constituye la más importante causa de muerte. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prevalencia y las características anatómicas de la EAC en pacientes con DM-1 e insuficiencia renal crónica, sometidos a diálisis. MÉTODOS: Este es un estudio descriptivo de 20 pacientes con DM-1 sometidos a diálisis sin EAC conocida. La EAC se evaluó mediante angiografía coronaria cuantitativa (ACC) y ultrasonido intravascular (IVUS). La ACC se realizó en todas las lesiones >30 por ciento, se llevó a cabo el análisis visual por IVUS en todos los segmentos proximales de 18 mm de las arterias coronarias. También se analizaron todos los otros segmentos coronarios con estenosis >30 por ciento. RESULTADOS: La angiografía detectó 29 lesiones >30 por ciento en 15 pacientes (75 por ciento). Once (55 por ciento) de las lesiones eran >50 por ciento y 10 (50 por ciento) >70 por ciento. Trece pacientes tuvieron las tres arterias principales evaluadas por el IVUS. La aterosclerosis estaba presente en todos los pacientes y en todos los 51 segmentos proximales de 18 mm analizados. Esos segmentos significan que la medición del diámetro de los vasos resultaba significantemente mayor en el IVUS que en la ACC, en todos los vasos. De las imágenes del IVUS se obtuvieron 25 (86,2 por ciento) de las 29 lesiones >30 por ciento. Placas fibróticas eran comunes (48 por ciento) y el 60 por ciento presentaban remodelamiento intermediario de vasos. CONCLUSIÓN: La EAC estaba presente en todos los vasos de todos los pacientes con diabetes tipo 1 sometidos a hemodiálisis. Esos hallazgos están de acuerdo con otros estudios de autopsia, angiografía e IVUS. Además de ello, indican la necesidad de estudios adicionales epidemiológicos y de imagen, para una mejor comprensión y tratamiento de una condición clínica compleja y severa que afecta a jóvenes individuos.

Neuropatia autonômica: uma complicação de alto risco no diabetes melito tipo 1: [revisão] / Autonomic neuropathy: a high risk complication for type 1 diabetes mellitus: [review]

O acometimento patológico do sistema nervoso no diabetes melito é muito amplo e, freqüentemente, bastante grave. A prevalência de neuropatia diabética atinge níveis elevados com a evolução temporal do diabetes, chegando, geralmente, a freqüências acima de 50 por cento de lesão neurológica em diferentes grupos de pacientes analisados em nosso meio e no exterior. A lesão neurológica nesta situação patológica é extensa no organismo humano diabético, envolvendo amplamente todo o sistema nervoso periférico nos seus componentes sensitivo-motor e autonômico: com clínica característica e concordante com as hipóteses patogênicas de natureza metabólica e/ou microvascular. O sistema nervoso autonômico é o elemento fundamental na regulação da função da maior parte dos sistemas ou órgãos no organismo, portanto, a sua lesão pode trazer importantes alterações para as funções cardiovascular, respiratória, digestiva, urinária e genital, podendo influir na função vital de alguns desses órgãos ou sistemas. Este artigo aborda as alterações decorrentes da lesão do sistema nervoso autonômico, especialmente nos pacientes diabéticos tipo 1, procurando dimensionar o risco de morbimortalidade.

The pathological alteration of the nervous system in diabetic patients is extensive and frequently severe. The prevalence of the diabetic neuropathy reach high levels with the evolution of the diabetes, often showing frequencies higher than 50 percent in several groups of patients. The neurological lesion in this pathological situation is extensive in the diabetic patient, including widely the peripheral nervous system with its components sensory, motor and autonomic: with typical symptoms and in accordance with the pathogenesis of metabolic origin and/or microvascular disease. The autonomic nervous system is a main regulator of many systems in the human body. Then its lesion can promote significant alterations in the function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital system, that can be related to increased motality. This review anlyses the abnormalities related to lesion of the autonomic nervous system, particularly in type 1 diabetic patients, trying to characterize the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Alterações das propriedades funcionais e estruturais de grandes artérias no diabetes mellitus / Modifications of structural and functional properties of large arteries in diabetes mellitus

Alterações funcionais e estruturais das grandes artérias exercem um importante papel na patogênese das doenças cardiovasculares. O diabetes mellitus, ao lado da hipertensão arterial e do envelhecimento, pode induzir essas alterações em diferentes territórios arteriais, e assim levar ao desenvolvimento de aterosclerose e suas conseqüências cardiovasculares. A principal alteração da função das grandes artérias é o aumento da rigidez, enquanto que a principal alteração estrutural é o maior espessamento da camada intima-media da artéria carótida, encontradas em ambos os tipos 1 e 2 de diabetes. Os mecanismos destas alterações estruturais e funcionais arteriais no diabetes incluem a resistência à insulina, o acúmulo de colágeno devido à glicação enzimática inadequada, disfunção endotelial e do sistema nervoso autônomo. O aumento de rigidez arterial é um marcador de risco cardiovascular em pacientes diabéticos, e o tratamento tanto do diabetes per se quanto de dislipidemia e hipertensão arterial associadas pode modificar beneficamente essas alterações arteriais.

Functional and structural modifications in large arteries play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The diabetes mellitus besides arterial hypertension and ageing can induce these alterations in different arterial sites, and so leading to the development of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular consequences. The main functional change of large arteries is an increase of stiffness, while the main structural modification is an increase of the intima-media thickness of carotid artery, and both changes have been recognized in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms of these structural and functional arterial modifications in diabetes include insulin resistance, collagen increase due to inadequate enzymatic glycation, endothelial and autonomic dysfunction. The increase of arterial stiffness is an independent cardiovascular risk marker in diabetic patients, and the treatment of diabetes per se and even of associated dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension can favorably modify these arterial changes.

Inflammation and neovascularization in diabetic atherosclerosis.

Diabetes mellitus, the major cardiovascular risk factor, accentuates the inflammation and neovascularization processes leading to enhanced progression of atherosclerotic complications. Inflammation in diabetes mellitus is the key initiator of atherosclerotic process, which results in acute coronary events. Atherosclerosis evolves from the endothelial cell dysfunction and succeeding entry of hemodynamically derived leukocytes by migration, activation and production of lipid gruel leading to atheromatous plaque progression and subsequent regression. Diabetic plaque progression is associated with increased neovascularization, which is a nature's compliment in the sustenance of plaque growth by its nutrient supply. Neovessels may act as conduit for lipid debridment and alternative channel for inflammatory process. In addition, neovascularization induces intra-plaque hemorrhage due to the fragility of the neovessels and associated inflammation, resulting in plaque instability. The intra-plaque hemorrhage is a detrimental base, which begets the progress of atheroma by inducing oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Intra-plaque hemorrhage is increased in diabetes with an associated increase in hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex (Hb-Hp2-2), which further induces oxidative stress and endothelial cell dysfunction. We conclude that inflammation and neovascularization of the plaque may act as major mechanism augmenting plaque instability in diabetes mellitus.

Correlación clínica, bioquímica e histopatológica en pacientes periodontales diabéticos / Clinical, biochemical and histopatological correlación in diabetic patients with periodontal disease

Introducción - El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la correlación clínica, histológica y Bioquímica por efecto del raspaje y alisado radicular en pacientes diabéticos con enfermedad periodontal. Materiales y Métodos.- Se seleccionó una población total de 80 pacientes de ambos sexos (edad 25-60 años), 40 diabéticos 1 y 2, Y 40 no diabéticos. Se eligieron los s~etos compensados, según examen médico. Se examinó el terreno periodontal, seleccionándose pacientes con bolsas reales iguales o menores a 5 mm. Criterio de laboratorio: se consideraron diabéticos sujetos con glucemia igualo mayor a 140 mg.'dl, y HbAIC igual o mayor a 8 %. No diabéticos, los de glucemias inferiores a 115 mg.'dl, y HbAIC menor a 8 %. Previa administración de 2 g. de amoxicilina, se tomaron biopsias de encía libre e insertada a todos los pacientes,. Se realizó raspaje y alisado de todos los elementos dentarios, y se colocó protector periodontal. Se realizaron sesiones de higiene supervisada semanalmente. A los 40 Y 120 días se aplicaron nuevamente los criterios de selección clínicos y bioquímicos. Se tomaron biopsias, las que fueron analizadas microscópicamente. Se aplicaron las coloraciones HjE, PAS, y Tricrómico de Masson. Resultados.- Al tiempo 40, y principalmente 120 se encontró que en el 90 % de los pacientes seleccionados disminuyeron los valores de glucemia. En un 70 % de los casos estudiados se estabilizaron los valores de HbAIC, y se revirtieron los signos clínicos de enfermedad periodontal en un 80 % de los pacientes. El análisis histológico al tiempo demostró infiltrado mononuclear, congestión y proliferación de la capa media de los vasos, cuando se comparó con los controles no diabéticos. Al tiempo 40 y al 120, disminución del infiltrado y de los depósitos sensibles a Pas en las paredes de los pequeños vasos. Conclusión.- Se propone que el raspaje y alisado es un método eficaz para revertir los valores de glucemia, HbA 1 C, las microangiopatías gingivales y los signos clínicos en pacientes periodontales diabéticos.

Introduction - The aim of this paper was to study the clinical, biochemical and histopathological correlation caused by scaling and root planning in diabetic patients with periodonta1 disease. Material and Methods.- The study was conducted on 80 patients, both males and females, (age 25-60 years). Fourty patients had type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while 40 were non-diabetic patients. According to the medical examination, the subjects including in the study were well compensated. After studying the periodontal field, patients with real pockets measuring 5 mm or less were selected. Laboratory Criteria.- The subjects were considered to be diabetic when their basal…

Coraçäo e diabetes: estudo anátomo-clínico / Heart and diabetes: anatomo-clinical study

Foram estudadas retrospectivamente 72 necrópsias de portadores de diabetes mellitus (PDM) selecionados dentre 2239 necrópsias de adultos, compreendendo o período de 1966 a 1982. Com objetivo de analisar a possível cardiomiopatia diabética, os PDM foram divididos em 8 grupos segundo presença ou ausência de hipertensäo arterial sistêmica (HAS), doença oclusiva das artérias coronárias (DAC) e glomeruloesclerose de Kimmestiel-Wilson (KW) e em 4 grupos segundo presença ou ausência de fibrose do miocárdio (FM) e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC). A incidência de diabetes mellitus (DM) segundo a raça, o sexo, a faixa etária e a presença de KW foram concordes com a literatura. A maioria dos óbitos ocorreu após a sexta década e näo se encontraram PDM com HAS maligna. A HAS e a DAC aumentaram a freqüência das alteraçöes anatômicas cardíacas, sendo que 1) a FM esteve mais associada a DAC; 2) a HAS foi freqüente em PDM com KW na forma nodular; 3) a HAS aumentou a freqência da hipertrofia ventricular esquerda; 4) o infarto do miocárdio ocorreu também na ausência da DAC. A FM observada em PDM sem DAC e sem HAS pode ser a demonstraçäo anatômica final de um processo metabólico funcional gradativo e näo mecânico básico da ICC na possível cardiomiopatia diabética

Nailford capillaroscopy in diabetes mellitus: morphological abnormalities and relationship with microangiopathy

the morphology and density of nailfold capillaries were evaluated in patients with Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus and in healthy controls, using videocapillaroscopy. A protocol of well-defined capillary patterns was used. Diabetic patients had more tortuous and enlarged capillaries than controls. Nodular apical elongation was found only in diabetics and was more frequent in patients with a longer history of disease. Type II diabetic patientes with chronic clinical complications had a higher frequency of enlarged capillaries and nodular apical elongation. Glycemic control was without influence. Capillary densitu did not differ among the groups