Telomere length is independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: Individuals with type 2 diabetes show shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) compared to people without diabetes. Reduced LTL is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy subjects. The aim of the study is to assess whether LTL also correlates with IMT in patients with diabetes.

N-3 PUFA increase bioavailability and function of endothelial progenitor cells.

Background And Aims: Recent data suggest that n-3 PUFA exert beneficial effects on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) biology. We sought to investigate whether these effects might be mediated by enhanced EPC in vitro function and/or in vivo bioavailability.

Methods And Results: CACs and late-outgrowth EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 12 donor buffy-coats.

Pioglitazone improves in vitro viability and function of endothelial progenitor cells from individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.

Background: Evidence suggests that the PPARγ-agonist insulin sensitizer pioglitazone, may provide potential beneficial cardiovascular (CV) effects beyond its anti-hyperglycaemic function. A reduced endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) number is associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes, conditions characterised by increased CV risk.

Aim: To evaluate whether pioglitazone can provide benefit in vitro in EPCs obtained from IGT subjects.