Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibition: linking metabolic control to cardiovascular protection.

Dipeptidyl peptidases 4 (DPP4) inhibitors are a new class of oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). They are also called "incretins" because they act by inhibiting the degradation of endogenous incretin hormones, in particular GLP-1, that mediates their main metabolic effects. DPP4 is an ubiquitous protease that regulates not only glucose and lipid metabolism, but also exhibits several systemic effects at different site levels.

Prediabetes influences cardiac rehabilitation in coronary artery disease patients.

Background: An abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients could negatively influence recovery after an acute event but the question, relevant in the field of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), is still controversial.

Design: Prospective study, aiming to establish the prevalence of AGT and its possible influence on functional recovery in CAD patients without a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on 230 CAD patients without known DM, submitted to a 2-week period of intensive exercise-based CR after a recent acute myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass graft.

Endothelial dysfunction: causes and consequences in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Vascular endothelium plays a major role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Nitric oxide is the most powerful vasodilating compound. Diabetes disrupts endothelial integrity through an increased oxidative stress.

Diabetes induces p66shc gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: relationship to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress plays a role in cardiovascular dysfunction. This is of interest in diabetes, a clinical condition characterized by oxidative stress and increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The role of p66(shc) in oxidative stress-related response has been demonstrated by resistance to and reduction of oxidative stress and prolonged lifespan in p66(shc-/-) mice.