Postprandial glucose-lowering effect of cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) fruit juice in dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome: An exploratory study.

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) is an ellagitannin-containing Myrtaceae fruit from Cerrado biome. This fruit seems to be a promising candidate for an adjuvant in glucose regulation in healthy subjects. However, it is not known whether cagaita juice would have the same effect on dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the effect of cagaita fruit juice on postprandial glycemia in dysglycemic subjects with MetS, and whether cagaita ellagitannins could be metabolized to urolithins. To evaluate glycemic effects, two different meals were consumed by volunteers (n = 12) with a 1-week interval among them. The first one consisted of white bread (50 g) plus water (300 mL) as a control; the second one, white bread (50 g) plus clarified cagaita juice (300 mL). Bioavailability was assessed in 24 h urine, after the consumption of a single amount of 300 mL of cagaita juice by healthy (n = 16) and MetS subjects (n = 7). The results showed that dysglycemic subjects with MetS presented a 53% reduction of incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of glucose, 38% reduction of insulin, 78% reduction of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and 58% reduction of C-peptide (p < 0.05), after the consumption of cagaita juice along with bread, in comparison to control water. However, both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and glucagon were not affected by cagaita juice ingestion. Concerning bioavailability, it was observed, for the first time, the metabolization of cagaita ellagitannins to urolithins by healthy and dysglycemic individuals with MetS, with a prevalence of metabotype B in both groups (44% and 42%, respectively), followed by metabotype A (37% and 29%, respectively), and metabotype 0 (19% and 29%, respectively).

Redução da mobilidade funcional e da capacidade cognitiva no diabetes melito tipo 2 / Reduction of functional mobility and cognitive capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objetivos Avaliar a mobilidade funcional e sua relação com a capacidade cognitiva em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) entre 50 e 65 anos de idade, e com menos de 10 anos de diagnóstico. Materiais e métodos Estudo observacional, analítico e transversal envolvendo indivíduos não diabéticos e pacientes com DM2 com controle glicêmico inadequado, selecionados por amostra de conveniência. Em ambos os grupos, foram aplicados questionário estruturado, avaliação cognitiva com Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e teste do relógio (TDR), além da avaliação de mobilidade funcional pelo teste Timed Up & GO (TUG). Resultados No TUG os pacientes com DM2 apresentaram tempo médio de 11,27 segundos versus 9,52 segundos nos controles (p = 0,013). A associação entre declínio cognitivo e dismobilidade foi positiva nos indivíduos com DM2 (p = 0,037). No subgrupo que apresentou dismobilidade e declínio cognitivo associados, 18% eram portadores de DM2 e 1,6% era do grupo sem DM2 (p < 0,01). Conclusões Pacientes com DM2 apresentaram pior mobilidade funcional e desempenho cognitivo, favorecendo a hipótese de que o DM2 influencia a mobilidade funcional e capacidade cognitiva antes do aparecimento de complicações vasculares ou neuropáticas. Esses dados sugerem que a hiperglicemia é um fator agravante no desempenho de atividades que exijam funções mentais como atenção, orientação e memória de trabalho. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):946-52 .

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional mobility and its relationship to cognitive ability in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), age between 50 and 65 years and under 10 years of diagnosis. Materials and methods An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, involving no diabetic and type 2 diabetic individuals with inadequate glycemic control, selected by convenience sampling. In both groups, were administered structured questionnaire and cognitive assessment with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the clock drawing test (CDT), besides assessment of functional mobility by the Timed Up & Go (TUG). Results In TUG, DM2 patients presented a mean time of 11.27 seconds versus 9.52 seconds (p = 0.013). The association between cognitive decline and decrease of mobility was positive in individuals with T2DM (p = 0.037). In the subgroup that showed decrease of mobility and associated cognitive decline, 18% were patients with DM2 and 1.6% were individuals without T2DM (p < 0.01). Conclusions Patients with T2DM presented worse functional mobility and cognitive performance, supporting the hypothesis that DM2 influence functional mobility and cognitive ability, regardless of neuropathic or vascular complications. These data suggest that hyperglycemia is an aggravating factor in the performance of activities requiring mental functions such as attention, working memory and orientation. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):946-52 .

[Reduction of functional mobility and cognitive capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Redução da mobilidade funcional e da capacidade cognitiva no diabetes melito tipo 2.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional mobility and its relationship to cognitive ability in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), age between 50 and 65 years and under 10 years of diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, involving no diabetic and type 2 diabetic individuals with inadequate glycemic control, selected by convenience sampling. In both groups, were administered structured questionnaire and cognitive assessment with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the clock drawing test (CDT), besides assessment of functional mobility by the Timed Up & Go (TUG). RESULTS: In TUG, DM2 patients presented a mean time of 11.27 seconds versus 9.52 seconds (p = 0.013). The association between cognitive decline and decrease of mobility was positive in individuals with T2DM (p = 0.037). In the subgroup that showed decrease of mobility and associated cognitive decline, 18% were patients with DM2 and 1.6% were individuals without T2DM (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T2DM presented worse functional mobility and cognitive performance, supporting the hypothesis that DM2 influence functional mobility and cognitive ability, regardless of neuropathic or vascular complications. These data suggest that hyperglycemia is an aggravating factor in the performance of activities requiring mental functions such as attention, working memory and orientation.

Metformin, but not glimepiride, improves carotid artery diameter and blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of glimepiride and metformin on vascular reactivity, hemostatic factors and glucose and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 16 uncontrolled patients with diabetes previously treated with dietary intervention. The participants were randomized into metformin or glimepiride therapy groups. After four months, the patients were crossed over with no washout period to the alternative treatment for an additional four-month period on similar dosage schedules. The following variables were assessed before and after four months of each treatment: 1) fasting glycemia, insulin, catecholamines, lipid profiles and HbA1 levels; 2) t-PA and PAI-1 (antigen and activity), platelet aggregation and fibrinogen and plasminogen levels; and 3) the flow indices of the carotid and brachial arteries. In addition, at the end of each period, a 12-hour metabolic profile was obtained after fasting and every 2 hours thereafter. RESULTS: Both therapies resulted in similar decreases in fasting glucose, triglyceride and norepinephrine levels, and they increased the fibrinolytic factor plasminogen but decreased t-PA activity. Metformin caused lower insulin and pro-insulin levels and higher glucagon levels and increased systolic carotid diameter and blood flow. Neither metformin nor glimepiride affected endothelial-dependent or endothelial-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery. CONCLUSIONS: Glimepiride and metformin were effective in improving glucose and lipid profiles and norepinephrine levels. Metformin afforded more protection against macrovascular diabetes complications, increased systolic carotid artery diameter and total and systolic blood flow, and decreased insulin levels. As both therapies increased plasminogen levels but reduced t-PA activity, a coagulation process was likely still ongoing.

Metformin, but not glimepiride, improves carotid artery diameter and blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of glimepiride and metformin on vascular reactivity, hemostatic factors and glucose and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 16 uncontrolled patients with diabetes previously treated with dietary intervention. The participants were randomized into metformin or glimepiride therapy groups. After four months, the patients were crossed over with no washout period to the alternative treatment for an additional four-month period on similar dosage schedules. The following variables were assessed before and after four months of each treatment: 1) fasting glycemia, insulin, catecholamines, lipid profiles and HbA1 levels; 2) t-PA and PAI-1 (antigen and activity), platelet aggregation and fibrinogen and plasminogen levels; and 3) the flow indices of the carotid and brachial arteries. In addition, at the end of each period, a 12-hour metabolic profile was obtained after fasting and every 2 hours thereafter. RESULTS: Both therapies resulted in similar decreases in fasting glucose, triglyceride and norepinephrine levels, and they increased the fibrinolytic factor plasminogen but decreased t-PA activity. Metformin caused lower insulin and pro-insulin levels and higher glucagon levels and increased systolic carotid diameter and blood flow. Neither metformin nor glimepiride affected endothelial-dependent or endothelial-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery. CONCLUSIONS: Glimepiride and metformin were effective in improving glucose and lipid profiles and norepinephrine levels. Metformin afforded more protection against macrovascular diabetes complications, increased systolic carotid artery diameter and total and systolic blood flow, and decreased insulin levels. As both therapies increased plasminogen levels but reduced t-PA activity, a coagulation process was likely still ongoing.

Retinopatia diabética / Diabetic retinopathy

A retinopatia é das complicacões mais comuns e está presente tanto no diabetes tipo 1 quanto no tipo 2, especialmente em pacientes com longo tempo de doenca e mau controle glicêmico. Quando culmina em perda visual é considerada trágica e constitui fator importante de morbidade de elevado impacto econômico, uma vez que a retinopatia diabética é a causa mais freqüente de cegueira adquirida. A fisiopatologia das alteracões microvasculares do tecido retiniano está relacionada à hiperglicemia crônica, que leva a alteracões circulatórias como a perda do tônus vascular, alteracão do fluxo sangüíneo, aumento da permeabilidade vascular e conseqüentemente extravasamentos e edemas e, por fim, obstrucão vascular que leva à neovascularizacão, com vasos frágeis que se rompem, levando a hemorragias e descolamento da retina. O controle metabólico e pressórico estritos podem retardar a progressão da retinopatia. Até o momento, nenhum agente farmacológico se mostrou eficaz em prevenir, retardar ou reverter a retinopatia diabética.O tratamento disponível no momento é a fotocoagulacão a laser de argônio e, em alguns casos, a vitrectomia. O sucesso do tratamento depende da deteccão precoce das lesões. Muitos estudos têm revelado mecanismos, assim como antagonistas importantes na evolucão da retinopatia.