Marcadores de inflamación y disfunción endotelial en niños con diabetes tipo 1 / Inflammation markers and endothelial disfunction in children with type 1 diabetes

Se ha hallado un estado inflamatorio subclínico ha sido informado en la fase temprana de la diabetes, el cual incrementa los niveles séricos de citoquinas que inducen la síntesis de proteínas de fase aguda como la proteína C reactiva (PCR) y el fibrinógeno (Fg), y estimula la expresión endotelial de moléculas de adhesión. Se estudiaron 30 pacientes (15 varones y 15 mujeres) con diabetes tipo 1 (DT1), de 11.8 ± 2.1 años de edad y 3.9 ± 3.2 años de evolución de la enfermedad, sin complicaciones vasculares. Se realizó recuento de leucocitos, velocidad de sedimentación globular (VSG), glucemia en ayunas, hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), Fg, PCR ultrasensible (uPCR), determinación E-selectina soluble (sE-S), molécula de adhesión vascular celular 1 (VCAM-1) y microalbuminuria. Se encontraron niveles aumentados de uPCR, sE-S y VCAM-1 en los pacientes diabéticos comparados con el grupo control [0.60 (0.30-1.25) vs. 0.20 (0.20-0.65) mg/l, p = 0.013], [108 (60-150) vs. 68 (56-82) ng/ml, p = 0.0031] y [750 (708-826) vs. 721 (674-751) ng/ml, p = 0.039] respectivamente. Al agrupar a los diabéticos de acuerdo a la duración de la enfermedad (= 3 y > de 3 años), los valores de uPCR fueron mayores en el segundo grupo. La uPCR se correlacionó con sE-S (r = 0.44, p = 0.03) y con VCAM-1 (r = 0.49, p = 0.02). Estos resultados sugieren la presencia de un estado proinflamatorio y de activación endotelial estrechamente asociados en la DT1.

A subclinical inflammation state was detected in the early step of diabetes, which increases the serum levels of cytokines that induce acute-phase protein synthesis as C-reactive protein (PCR) and fibrinogen (Fg), stimulating the endothelial disfunction of adhesion molecules. Thirty patients (15 boys, 15 girls) with type 1 diabetes (DT1), without vascular complications, were studied. Their mean age and duration of diabetes were 11.8 ± 2.1 and 3.9 ± 3.2 years, respectively. The laboratory parameters evaluated were: blood leukocytes count, globular sedimentation velocity, fasting glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high sensitivity PCR (uPCR), plasma soluble E-selectin (sE-S), sVCAM-1 and microalbuminuria. Increased levels of uPCR, sE-S and VCAM-1 were found, compared with the control group control [0.60 (0.30-1.25) vs. 0.20 (0.20-0.65) mg/l, p = 0.013], [108 (60- 150) vs. 68 (56-82) ng/ml, p = 0.0031] y [750 (708-826) vs. 721 (674-751) ng/ml, p = 0.039] respectively. When diabetic patients were grouped according to duration of disease (= 3 and > de 3 years), uPCR values were higher in the second group. uPCR levels were better correlated with sE-S (r = 0.44, p = 0.03) and VCAM-1 (r = 0.49, p = 0.02). These results suggest the presence of pro-inflammatory and endothelial activation states, which are strongly associated with DT1.

Cistatina C y adiponectina en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 coronarios y no coronarios / Cystatin C and adiponectin in diabetics with and without coronary artery disease

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high incidence of coronary artery disease, which is even higher among those with renal failure. A serum level of cystatin C are used to assess renal function and is a potential cardiovascular risk factor. Adiponectin is an anti-atherogenic factor. Aim: To measure cystatin C and adiponectin in type 2 diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease. Material and methods: Nine diabetic patients with coronary artery disease aged 76± 10 years, 20 diabetics without coronary artery disease aged 61 ±5 years and 20 non diabetic subjects aged 57±10 years, were studied. Results: Serum levels of cystatin C (mg/L) were 1.5 (range 0.89-219), 0.81 (range 0.71-1.08) and 0.68 mg/L (range 055-0.75) in diabetics with and without coronary artery disease and controls, respectively (p <0.0001). No differences in adiponectin between groups and no association between cystatin C and adiponectin, were observed. No association between both parameters and body mass index orglycosilated hemoglobin Ale was observed. Cystatin C had a positive correlation with serum creatinine (r =0.57p <0.001). Conclusions: Diabetics with coronary artery disease have higher levels of cystatin C, that are closely correlated with serum creatinine levels.

Comparação de biomarcadores inflamatórios entre pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos com angina instável / Comparación de biomarcadores inflamatorios entre pacientes diabéticos y no-diabéticos con angina inestable / Comparison of inflammatory biomarkers between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with unstable angina

FUNDAMENTO: Poucos estudos compararam a atividade inflamatória entre pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos com síndrome coronariana aguda, e ainda não foi publicado nenhum somente com portadores de angina instável (AI). OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve dois objetivos. Em primeiro lugar, comparar os níveis séricos de proteína C reativa (PCR) e interleucina - 6 (IL-6) em pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos com angina instável (AI) para determinar se a diferença na atividade inflamatória justifica o pior prognóstico nos pacientes diabéticos. Em segundo, avaliar a correlação entre os marcadores inflamatórios e o perfil metabólico em pacientes diabéticos e entre a resposta inflamatória e os desfechos hospitalares, como morte, infarto agudo do miocárdio, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva e tempo de hospitalização. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo de 90 pacientes consecutivos admitidos na Unidade de Dor Torácica com angina instável. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: diabéticos e não-diabéticos. Os níveis séricos de PCR e IL-6, o perfil metabólico e a contagem de leucócitos foram obtidos na chegada ao hospital. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes analisados, 42 (47 por cento) eram diabéticos (idade 62 ± 9) e 48 (53 por cento) não eram diabéticos (idade 63 ± 12). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre a mediana da PCR (1,78 vs. 2,23 mg/l, p = 0,74) e da IL-6 (0 vs. 0 pg/ml, p = 0,31) entre os dois grupos. Houve uma correlação positiva entre PCR e colesterol total (rs = 0, 21, p = 0, 05), PCR e colesterol LDL (r s = 0,22, p = 0,04) e PCR e contagem de leucócitos (r s = 0,32, p = 0,02) nos dois grupos. Nenhuma associação foi encontrada entre os marcadores inflamatórios e os desfechos hospitalares. CONCLUSÃO: Não encontramos diferença na atividade inflamatória entre os pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos com AI, o que indica que esse quadro clínico pode equilibrar a atividade inflamatória entre os dois grupos e aumentar a concentração de marcadores ...

BACKGROUND: Studies comparing inflammatory activity between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals with acute coronary syndrome are scarce, and none including only patients with unstable angina (UA) has been published to date. OBJECTIVE: We compared serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6(IL-6) between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with unstable angina (UA) to determine if difference in inflammatory activity is responsible for a worse prognosis in diabetic patients. We also evaluated the correlation between inflammatory markers and the metabolic profile in diabetic patients and the correlation between inflammatory response and in-hospital outcomes: death, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and length of stay in hospital. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 90 consecutive patients admitted to a chest pain unit with UA and divided into two groups, diabetic and non-diabetic. Serum CRP, IL-6, metabolic profile and leukocyte count were measured at hospital arrival. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (47 percent) were diabetic (age 62±9) vs. 48 (53 percent) non-diabetic (age 63±12). No differences between median C-reactive protein (1.78 vs. 2.23mg/l,p=0.74) and interleukin-6 (0 vs. 0pg/ml,p=0.31) were found between the two groups. There was a positive correlation between CRP and total cholesterol (rs = 0.21,p = 0.05), CRP and LDL-cholesterol (rs=0.22,p=0.04) and between CRP and leukocyte count (rs = 0.32, p = 0.02) in both groups. No associations were found between inflammatory markers and in-hospital outcomes. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in inflammatory activity between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with UA, suggesting that this clinical condition may result in balanced inflammatory activity between the two groups and increase acute-phase proteins independently of metabolic state.

FUNDAMENTO: Pocos estudios compararon la actividad inflamatoria entre pacientes diabéticos y no-diabéticos con síndrome coronario agudo, y todavía no se publicó ninguno que investigara solamente a los portadores de angina inestable (AI). OBJETIVO: Este estudio tuvo dos objetivos. En primer lugar, comparar los niveles séricos de proteína C reactiva (PCR) y interleuquina-6 (IL-6) en pacientes diabéticos y no-diabéticos con angina inestable (AI) para determinar si la diferencia en la actividad inflamatoria justifica el empeoramiento pronóstico en los pacientes diabéticos. En segundo, evaluar la correlación entre los marcadores inflamatorios y el perfil metabólico en pacientes diabéticos y entre la respuesta inflamatoria y los desenlaces hospitalarios, como muerte, infarto agudo de miocardio, insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva y tiempo de hospitalización. MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte prospectiva de 90 pacientes consecutivos, ingresados a la Unidad de Dolor Torácico con angina inestable. Se dividieron a los pacientes en dos grupos: diabéticos y no-diabéticos. Los niveles séricos de PCR e IL-6, el perfil metabólico y el conteo de leucocitos se obtuvieron al ingreso al hospital. RESULTADOS: De todos los pacientes analizados, 42 (47 por ciento) eran diabéticos (edad 62 ± 9) y 48 (53 por ciento) no eran diabéticos (edad 63 ± 12). No se encontraron diferencias entre la mediana de la PCR (1,78 vs. 2,23 mg/l, p = 0,74) y de la IL-6 (0 vs. 0 pg/ml, p = 0,31) entre los dos grupos. Hubo una correlación positiva entre la PCR y el colesterol total (rs = 0, 21, p = 0, 05), la PCR y el colesterol LDL (rs = 0,22, p = 0,04) y la PCR y el conteo de leucocitos (rs = 0,32, p = 0,02) en los dos grupos. No se encontró ninguna asociación entre los marcadores inflamatorios y los desenlaces hospitalarios. CONCLUSIÓN: No encontramos diferencia en la actividad inflamatoria entre los pacientes diabéticos y no-diabéticos con AI, lo que indica que ese cuadro clínico puede ...

A study of aspirin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

Aspirin is currently known to give inadequate protection against coronary artery disease in diabetes compared to person without it. We evaluated 97 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes for assessing laboratory aspirin resistance and attempted to assess the impact of various clinical and biochemical parameters on it. Thirty-eight patients (39.1%) were found to be less sensitive to the action of aspirin, 7 persons (7.2%) were found to be resistant and 31 persons (31.9%) were aspirin semi-responders. Only total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride had statistically significant impact on aspirin resistance (p<0.05). Three persons out of 9 with some form of macrovascular disease had aspirin resistance.

E-selectina soluble en una población infanto-juvenil con diabetes tipo 1 / Soluble E- selectin in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

El estado de hiperglucemia crónica en los pacientes diabéticos produce una agresión al endotelio vascular, conduciendo al desarrollo prematuro de ateroesclerosis. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar niveles de E-selectina soluble (sE-S) en una población infanto-juvenil con diabetes tipo1 (DT1) y su relación con el control glucémico y el perfil lipídico. Se estudiaron 30 pacientes con DT1 (16 mujeres y 14 varones), de edades comprendidas entre 6 y 15 años, comparados con 20 sujetos controles. Se determinaron: sE-S, glucemia en ayunas, hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), colesterol total (CT), HDL-C, LDL-C, no HDL-C y triglicéridos (TG). Los niveles de sE-S fueron 66% más altos en los diabéticos que en los sujetos controles (p = 0.0001). Los pacientes fueron agrupados en: diabéticos con buen control glucémico (DBCG, HbA1c < 8%) y diabéticos con pobre control glucémico (DPCG, HbA1c > 8%). La concentración de sE-S en DPCG y en DBCG fue: 111.3 ± 40.5 vs. 68.0 ± 11.3 ng/ml, respectivamente p = 0.02. En los diabéticos la incidencia de valores no deseables en el perfil lipídico fue: CT: 50%; HDL-C 14%; LDL-C 52%, no HDL-C 26.7% y TG 14%. La sE-S se correlacionó mejor con HbA1c (r = 0.53, p = 0.0001) que con la glucemia en ayunas (r = 0.36, p = 0.008) y CT (r = 0.36, p = 0.009). De los resultados obtenidos se sugiere que la sE-S es un marcador temprano de disfunción endotelial y de probable riesgo de aterosclerosis en pacientes infanto-juveniles con DT1.

The chronic hyperglycemic state in diabetic patients produces an aggression to the vascular endothelium leading to a premature development of atherosclerosis. The objective of this paper was to determine the soluble E-selectin (sE-S) levels in children with type 1 diabetes (DT1) and its relationship with glycemic control and lipid profile. Thirty patients with DT1, (16 girls and 14 boys), age between 6 and 15 years were studied, whose data were compared with 20 control subjects. In both groups sE-S was determined as well as fasting glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and triglycerides (TG). sE-S values were 66% higher in diabetics than in control subjects (p = 0.001). Patients were grouped in: good glycemic control diabetics (GGCD, HbA1c < 8%) and poor glycemic control diabetics (PGCD, HbA1c > 8%). sE-S concentratios were in PGCD an GGCD respectively. 111.3 ± 40.5 vs 68.0 ± 11.3 ng/ml, p = 0.02. In the diabetic group, the incidence of non desirable values in the lipid profile parameters were: TC 50%; HDL-C 14%; LDL-C 52%, non-HDL-C 26.7% and TG 14%. sE-S values were better correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.53, p = 0.0001) than fasting glycemia (r = 0.36, p = 0.008), and CT (r = 0.36, p = 0.009). These results suggest that sE-S is an early marker of endothelial dysfunction and a probable risk marker of atherosclerosis in children with DT1.

Níveis séricos de interleucina-6 (IL-6), interleucina-18 (IL-18) e proteína C reativa (PCR) na síndrome coronariana aguda sem supradesnivelamento do ST em pacientes com diabete tipo 2 / Serum levels of interleukin-6 (Il-6), interleukin-18 (Il-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with type-2 diabetes and acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation

FUNDAMENTO: A aterosclerose é uma doença inflamatória e níveis séricos de marcadores inflamatórios, como a interleucina 6 (IL-6), interleucina-18 (IL-18) e proteína C reativa (PCR), são utilizados para avaliação de pacientes em quadros de coronariopatia. No paciente com diabete do tipo 2, a aterosclerose está relacionada a um maior número de eventos como infarto e morte, quando comparado aos pacientes sem diabete. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a resposta inflamatória nos pacientes com diabete e eventos agudos de instabilidade coronariana. MÉTODOS: Selecionamos primariamente dois grupos de pacientes. O primeiro grupo foi composto por pacientes ambulatoriais diabéticos com angina estável (D-SCC) e presença de coronariopatia ao estudo coronariográfico (n = 36). O segundo grupo foi composto por pacientes diabéticos atendidos no pronto-socorro com quadro de síndrome coronariana aguda (D-SCA) sem supradesnivelamento do ST (n = 38). Como controle, foram utilizados pacientes sem diabete com SCA (n = 22) e SCC (n = 16). As concentrações séricas de PCR, IL-6 e IL-18 foram determinadas pelas técnicas de nefelometria (PCR) e ELISA (IL-6 e IL-18). RESULTADOS: Níveis mais elevados de IL-6 foram observados em pacientes com ou sem diabete e SCA em relação ao grupo com SCC. Por sua vez, pacientes com diabete e SCA apresentaram concentrações maiores de PCR em comparação aos outros grupos. Os níveis séricos de IL-18 não diferiram significativamente entre os pacientes estudados. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos sugerem uma maior atividade inflamatória no paciente com quadro de instabilidade coronariana. Essa atividade inflamatória, medida pela PCR, parece ser ainda mais intensa no paciente com diabete.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and serum levels of inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are used to evaluate patients with coronary artery disease. In patients with type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis is related to a larger number of events such as myocardial infarction and death, when compared with patients without diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inflammatory response in patients with diabetes and acute events of coronary instability. METHODS: Two groups of patients were primarily selected. The first group was comprised of diabetic outpatients with stable angina (D-CCS) and presence of coronary artery disease on coronary angiography (n=36). The second group was comprised of diabetic patients seen in the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome (D-ACS) without ST-segment elevation (n=38). Non-diabetic patients with ACS (n=22) and CCS (n=16) comprised the control group. Serum levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-18 were determined using nephelometry (CRP) and ELISA (IL-6 and IL-18) techniques. RESULTS: Higher serum IL-6 levels were found in diabetic or non-diabetic patients with ACS than in the group with CCS. On the other hand, diabetic patients with ACS had higher CRP levels in comparison with the other groups. Serum IL-18 levels were not significantly different among the patients studied. CONCLUSION: our findings suggest a more intense inflammatory activity in patients with coronary instability. This inflammatory activity, as measured by CRP, seems to be even more intense in diabetic patients.

Niveles de moléculas de adhesión solubles en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 normotensos e hipertensos / Levels of soluble adhesion molecules among normal and hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients

Antecedentes: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y la hipertensión arterial cursan con disfunción endotelial, lo que condiciona inflamación vascular, expresión de moléculas de adhesión que favorecen la migración celular subendotelial y el desarrollo de aterosclerosis. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar los niveles circulantes de moléculas de adhesión solubles en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 normotensos e hipertensos. Material y métodos: Las concentraciones en suero de VCAM1, ICAM1 y E-selectina fueron determinados por ELISA (RyDSystems Minneapolis), en 80 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, (40 normotensos y 40 hipertensos), así como en 40 sujetos normotensos no diabéticos; el método estadístico empleado fue ANOVA. Resultados: Los pacientes diabéticos presentaron niveles significativamente mayores de moléculas de adhesión celular que los no diabéticos (p<0.001 para las tres moléculas). A su vez, entre los pacientes diabéticos, los sujetos hipertensos mostraron niveles significativamente mayores de ICAM que los normotensos (316±17 versus. 295±16 ng/ml p<0.01), mientras que en VCAM y E-selectina no hubo diferencia significativa. Conclusiones: Los pacientes diabéticos muestran niveles significativamente mayores de moléculas de adhesión solubles que los no diabéticos. La coexistencia de hipertensión aumenta significativamente los valores de ICAM, esto podría explicar la mayor frecuencia de complicaciones en los pacientes que cursan con las dos patologías.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and type-2 diabetes affect endothelial function, which in turn increases the expression of soluble adhesion molecules and lead to the development of vascular damage. The aim of this study was to assess soluble adhesion molecule levels among normotensive and hypertensive diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum levels of soluble VCAM1, ICAM1 and e-selectin were measured in 80 type-2 diabetic patients, (40 normotensive and 40 hypertensive), and in 40 normotensive non-diabetic subjects by ELISA (RyDSystems Minneapolis). Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA. RESULTS: Among diabetic patients, levels of all three soluble adhesion molecules were significantly increased when compared with non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001 for all three molecules), In diabetic hypertensive patients, higher levels of ICAM1 were detected in comparison to normotensive diabetic patients (316 vs. 295 ng/ml p < 0.01), VCAM1 and e-selectin levels were not different between diabetic patients with and without hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is associated with increased levels of soluble adhesion molecules, suggesting a role of these molecules may play in endothelial damage. ICAM1 is further increased when hypertension and diabetes are present. The latter may explain why diabetic-hypertensive patients displayed more complications than normotensive patients.

Postprandial glycemia and cardiovascular disease in diabetes mellitus

This article reviews the role of fasting and postprandial glycemia to the overall glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes and glucose intolerance, as well as their causal relationship upon micro and macrovascular complications. Recent studies have suggested that a third component of the glucose triad, the postprandial glucose excursions, might have a role in the overall glycemic load and might also reflect glycemic control. Epidemiological and intervention studies are presented in the article, supporting the conclusion that postprandial hyperglycemia in impaired glucose tolerance and diabetic subjects is a more powerful marker of cardiovascular disease risk than fasting hyperglycemia, then the treatment directed at specifically lowering postprandial glucose is crucial, as underlined by the American Diabetes Association.

O presente artigo revisa o papel da glicemia de jejum e pós-prandial em relação ao controle glicêmico de pacientes com diabetes do tipo 2 e com intolerância à glicose, assim como sua relação causal sobre as complicações micro e macrovasculares. Estudos recentes têm sugerido que um terceiro componente na tríade glicêmica, as excursões glicêmicas pós-prandiais, podem ter influência sobre a carga glicêmica total, e podem também refletir sobre o controle glicêmico. Estudos epidemiológicos e de intervenção são apresentados neste artigo, suportando a conclusão de que a hiperglicemia pós-prandial na intolerância à glicose e em pacientes com diabetes é um marcador mais potente de risco cardiovascular do que a hiperglicemia de jejum, portanto o tratamento dirigido especificamente para reduzir a glicemia pós-prandial é crucial, conforme sugerido pela American Diabetes Association.

Fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 level in peripheral arterial disease of type 2 diabetes patients.

AIM: To determine association of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 52 type 2 diabetes patients of 41-74 years old. The subjects were divided into two groups, those who were diagnosed with PAD (16) and without PAD (36). Diagnosis of PAD was based on the ankle brachial index (ABI) measurement. Fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) level were evaluated as hemostatic factors. The two groups were compared for age, sex, smoking, plasma fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride concentrations, diabetes duration, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure level. Statistical analyse were conducted to check the significance of differences between variables in the two groups as well as interrelationship between hemostatic factors and other parameters. RESULTS: Fibrinogen was similar in both group (402.42 +/- 74.44 mg/dl in PAD group and 322.45 +/- 101.05 mg/dl in non-PAD group) (p= 0.259). PAI-1 was also similar in both group (8.93 +/- 11.02 IU/ml in PAD group and 7.06 +/- 7.32 IU/ml in non-PAD group) (p=0.721). Hyperfibrinogenemia was more prevalent in PAD group (68.8%) than in non-PAD group (25%) (p= 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that fibrinogen and PAI-1 level were similar in both groups. As a risk factor hyperfibrinogenemia was more prevalent in PAD group.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en niños con diabetes tipo 1 y su relación con el control de la glucemia / Cardiovascular risk factors in children with type 1 diabetes and their relationship with the glycemic control

Diabetics have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this work was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors in infant-juvenile type 1 diabetics and their association with the degree of glycemic control. A total of 52 patients, aged 5-15 years, were studied and compared with 37 control subjects. The degree of glycemic control, lipid profile, plasma fibrinogen, microalbuminuria and blood pressure were investigated. The patients were grouped in diabetics with good glycemic control [DGGC, glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 8%] and poor glycemic control [DPGC, HA1c > or = 8%]. Diabetic patients presented incremented values of total cholesterol (4.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.7 mmol/l, p = 0.0008), LDL-cholesterol (2.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/l, p = 0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (1.2 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.0002), with respect to control group. Eighty three per cent of diabetics showed a poor glycemic control. There were not significant differences in lipid profile between DGGC and DPGC, excepting HDL-cholesterol which was higher in DPGC group (p = 0.007). Plasma fibrinogen levels were similar in diabetics and controls, but they were higher in DPGC than in DGGC (265 +/- 46 vs. 229 +/- 22 mg/dl, p = 0.02). Three patients with microalbuminuria and none with hypertension were detected. In these patients the most pronounced risk factors for CVD were dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, which justify the need for the early detection of these factors as well as strict metabolic control.

Thrombohaemorrhagic balance in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes changes the thrombohaemorrhagic balance which exists in healthy flowing blood. This change predisposes a diabetic patient to various thrombo-embolic conditions, leading to increased mortality and morbidity of these patients. Increase in certain coagulation factors like factors XII, XI, VIII, fibrinogen and VWF, decreased fibrinolysis, increased platelet aggregation, endothelial cell dysfunction coupled with increased blood viscosity and decreased red cell deformability are some of the changes that contribute to increased thrombo-embolic incidence in this disease.

Lipoprotein(a) in South Indian type 2 diabetic subjects in relation to diabetic vascular complications.

OBJECTIVES: Lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] has been reported to be an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, its relationship with other vascular complications is not clear. The aim of the study was to determine the relation of lipoprotein(a) with micro- and macrovascular complications seen in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We studied 725 type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic complications at the MV Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai. The mean age of the study group was 54 +/- 10 years and 70% were males. Diabetic complications viz retinopathy, proteinuria, peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease were diagnosed using standardized definitions. Lipoprotein(a) levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Since the frequency distribution of Lp(a) was skewed Lp(a) values were log transformed and geometric mean was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean Lp(a) level of patients with any vascular complication was significantly higher compared to the subjects without any complications. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lipoprotein(a) had as independent association with CAD (Odds Ratio -1.16, p=0.04) and proteinuria (Odds Ratio -1.69, p < 0.001). The association of Lp(a) with retinopathy and PVD turned out to be non-significant when CAD and proteinuria was introduced as cofactors in the regression model. CONCLUSION: Lp(a) concentrations are found to be higher in those with CAD and proteinuria. There appears to be no association between Lp(a) and retinopathy or PVD in South Indian type 2 diabetic patients.

Plasma type IV collagen and fibronectin concentrations in diabetic patients with microangiopathy

In diabetes mellitus, thickening of basement membrane in capillaries and small vessels is a well-known finding and important in the progression of diabetic microangiopathy. We evaluated whether the plasma levels of type IV collagen and fibronectin, which are important factors of basement membrane, are related with the presence of diabetic microangiopathy. Plasma type IV collagen and fibronectin levels were measured in 40 healthy controls (Mean +/- SD, age; 50.3 +/- 5.5 yr) and 94 diabetic patients (age; 52.4 +/- 13.5 yr) with and without microvascular complications. The mean plasma levels of type IV collagen (5.3 +/- 2.9 ng/ml) and fibronectin (474.4 +/- 119.4 ug/ml) in diabetic patients were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in healthy controls (3.7 +/- 1.3 ng/ml and 319 +/- 50.9 ug/ml). The mean plasma level of type IV collagen in diabetic patients with complications (6.6 +/- 3.7 ng/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in those without complications (4.3 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) and became higher in more complicated patients. Furthermore, the severity of retinopathy and several indicators of nephropathy such as serum BUN, creatinine and proteinuria were closely associated with plasma type IV collagen level and a significant correlation was found between plasma type IV collagen and creatinine clearance (r = -0.31, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in plasma fibronectin concentrations, however, between the diabetic patients with complications and those without complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma factor XIII in patients with diabetic angiopathy

Plasma factor XIII was estimated in 30 diabetic patients with angiopathy and in 10 healthy individuals with matched age and sex as a control group. There was a highly significant increase in factor XIII activity in plasma of diabetic patients which might promote intravascular and endoparietal fibrin deposition and may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic complications. Fasting blood sugar, age of the patient, duration of the disease had no influence on factor XIII activity

Alteraciones de la glucemia en los pacientes revascularizados en el posoperatorio inmediato / Glycaemia changes in patients renovascularized in the immediate postoperative period

Se analizó la variabilidad de la glucemia en los pacientes revascularizados en el posoperatorio inmediato, con el objetivo de conocer la presencia de coma hiperosmolar hiperglicémico. Se halló que 15 pacientes (9,2%) del Servicio de Arteriología y 2 pacientes (7,1 %) del de Angiopatía diabética presentaron un coma hiperosmolar hiperglucémico no cetogénico y no hubo coma hiperosmolar hiperglicémico cetogénico. Hubo 32 pacientes (16,8 %) con alteraciones hemodinámicas que manifestaron hiperglucemia ligera y moderada en el posoperatorio inmediato

Peroxidos lipidicos, colesterol, fosfolípidos y vitamina E en eritrocitos de diabéticos con macroangiopatía / Lipids peroxides, cholesterol, phospholipids and vitamin E in erythrocytes of diabetic patients with macroangiopathy

Se estudiaron en 31 pacientes diabéticos no insulinodependientes con macroangiopatía de la pierna y/o el pie niveles sanguíneos de colesterol total, HDL-colesterol, triglicéridos, peróxidos lípidicos y vitamina E, mientras que en el eritrocito se determinaron las concentraciones de colesterol, fosfolípidos, peróxidos lipidicos y vitamina E; se encontraron en los eritrocitos de los diabéticos niveles elevados de peróxidos lipidicos (p<0,001) y de la relación colesterol/fosfolípidos (p<0,01) así como niveles disminuidos de vitamina E (p<0,001). En los parámetros lipídicos estudiados en la circulación sanguínea lo más significativo fue un aumento en la concentración de peróxidos lipídicos (p<0,01). Al correlacionarse entre sí las variables bioquímicas estudiadas en los eritrocitos se encontró una correlación negativa entre los niveles de vitamina E y el colesterol (r=0,58; p<0,05)

Haemorheology in diabetes.

The rheology of blood is disturbed in diabetes due to increased viscosity of blood and decreased deformability of red blood cells. This disturbed haemorheology contributes to diabetic vasculopathy and is reversible with treatment with insulin.

Role of plasma ascorbate in diabetic microangiopathy.

Plasma total ascorbate status measured by 2.4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine method showed that diabetics (N = 100) had significantly lower plasma total ascorbate compared with 45 age and sex matched non-diabetic controls; 0.34 +/- 0.16 mg/dl vs 0.68 +/- .06 mg/dl, P less than 0.001) regardless of presence or absence of retinopathy and irrespective of mode of treatment. The finding unique to this study was that plasma total ascorbate status in diabetics with retinopathy (0.19 +/- 0.07 mg/dl) was significantly lower than that of uncomplicated diabetics (0.49 +/- 0.06 mg/dl; P less than 0.001). Plasma Glucose had no correlation with plasma ascorbate levels and effect of duration of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on ascorbate status in diabetics was ambiguous. Diabetics had abnormally fragile cutaneous capillaries detected by Hess test. The incidence of capillary fragility was more in patients with retinopathy. Hess test can be used as an easy and non-invasive test to assess plasma ascorbate status to detect microvascular involvement in DM. The experience of this study reflects that the two distinct microvascular lesions in diabetes, i.e. abnormal dermal capillary fragility and retinopathy may have a common link to ascorbic acid deficiency. An early switching on of the supplementation of ascorbic acid may retard the development of microvascular complications in diabetes.