GLP-1 analogue, Liraglutide protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells against high glucose induced endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Background And Purpose: Hyperglycemia induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in diabetic vascular cells is considered an increasingly important factor for the genesis and development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. This study investigated firstly, the effect of hyperglycemia in ER stress induction in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and secondly, the impact of Glucagon like petide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, Liraglutide, in reducing ER stress in HUVECs exposed to high glucose (HG).

Experimental Approach: HUVECs were incubated for 12 hr in 5 mmol/L normal glucose (NG) or in 25 mmol/L (HG) glucose with or without different concentrations of Liraglutide (1 nM, 10 nM or 100 nM) and components of ER stress pathways studied, using western blotting, to assess their expression levels.

Lipopolysaccharide, high glucose and saturated fatty acids induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in cultured primary human adipocytes: Salicylate alleviates this stress.

Recent findings indicate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is significantly increased in adipose tissue of obese human subjects and is critical to the initiation and integration of pathways of inflammation and insulin action. But the factors inducing ER stress in human adipose tissue are unknown. The common factors increased in obesity and linked to insulin resistance are hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia and also endotoxemia.

Characterization of a novel polymorphism in PPARG regulatory region associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in Italy.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma polymorphisms have been widely associated with type 2 diabetes, although their role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications is not yet demonstrated. In this study, a cohort of 211 type 2 diabetes, 205 obese, and 254 control individuals was genotyped for Pro12Ala, C1431T, C-2821T polymorphisms, and for a newly identified polymorphism (A-2819G). The above-mentioned polymorphisms were analyzed by gene-specific PCR and direct sequencing of all samples.

Addition of neutral protamine lispro insulin or insulin glargine to oral type 2 diabetes regimens for patients with suboptimal glycemic control: a randomized trial.

Background: Injection of long-acting insulin at bedtime is a common therapeutic approach for patients with type 2 diabetes that is poorly controlled with oral regimens. Neutral protamine lispro (NPL) insulin has demonstrated better glycemic control and similar incidence of hypoglycemic events than that of neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of bedtime NPL insulin or insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes who had suboptimal glycemic control while receiving stable doses of metformin and sulfonylurea.

Post-meal glucose peaks at home associate with carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes.

Context: Two-hour postprandial hyperglycemia is related to chronic complications of diabetes and is currently used in the international guidelines to drive the therapy.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the size and timing of post-meal glucose peaks in the everyday life of type 2 diabetic patients and the relationship with carotid atherosclerosis.

Design, Setting, And Patients: This was an observational study performed in 644 outpatients with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes clinics located in the area of the Campania County, South Italy, who provided complete home blood glucose profiles and centralized carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) assessment.

Quantitative sensory and autonomic testing in nondiabetic women with sexual dysfunction.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant public health problem. There are no reported studies assessing the relation between sexual function and neuropathy in women, except for diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the correlations between peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among nondiabetic women with or without FSD.

Endothelial microparticles correlate with endothelial dysfunction in obese women.

Context: Cell-derived microparticles are supposed to be involved in atherogenesis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate circulating microparticles in obese women and their relation with anthropometric measures and endothelial dysfunction.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Forty-one obese [body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m(2)] women and 40 normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) age-matched women were studied.

Effect of rosiglitazone on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of rosiglitazone on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Research Design And Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. One hundred subjects (54 men and 46 women) with the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III, were followed for 12 months after random assignment to rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) or placebo.