The protective effects of liraglutide in reducing lipid droplets accumulation and myocardial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Diabetes is a primary contributor to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM), which is marked by metabolic imbalances such as elevated blood glucose and lipid levels, leading to significant structural and functional alterations in the myocardium. Elevated free fatty acids (FFAs) and hyperglycemia play critical roles in DbCM development, with FFAs inducing insulin resistance in cardiomyocytes and promoting lipid accumulation, resulting in oxidative stress and fibrosis. Current research suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may effectively mitigate DbCM, although an effective treatment for this condition remains elusive, and the precise mechanisms of this protective effect are not fully understood.

Gender-specific genetic influence of rs1111875 on diabetes risk: Insights from the Taiwan biobank study.

Background: This study investigates the gender-specific genetic influence of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1111875 on diabetes risk within the Taiwanese population using data from the Taiwan Biobank. Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes (T2D), is influenced by genetic factors, and the rs1111875 SNP near the hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) gene has been linked to T2D susceptibility.

Methods: The study included 69,272 participants after excluding those from arsenic-polluted areas and those with incomplete data.

Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW) Reduces Fatty Acid-Induced Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress Damage through Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in HepG2 Cells.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. Intracellular oxidative stress induced by lipid accumulation leads to various hepatocellular injuries including fibrosis. However, no effective method for mitigating MASLD without substantial side effects currently exists.

The association of depression and sleep disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan.

The association between depression and sleep disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Taiwan is underexplored. We used a nationwide population-based dataset to evaluate the association of T1DM with these conditions in Taiwan from 2001 to 2019. Patients with T1DM were identified as cases, and 2 control groups were used for comparison: patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetic patients.

Association of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and recurrent pancreatitis risk among patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study.

Following the introduction of incretin-based drugs to the market, instances of acute pancreatitis have been reported, leading the FDA to mandate a warning label. Incretin-based therapy has been linked to a rare yet significant adverse event known as acute pancreatitis. However, these concerns of use of incretin therapy remained an ongoing debate.

Assessing herpes zoster vaccine efficacy in patients with diabetes: A community-based cohort study.

The effectiveness of herpes zoster (HZ) vaccines in patients with diabetes over the age of 50 remains an active area of research. Utilizing a real-world database from the US community, this study spanning from 2006 to 2023, aimed to evaluate the impact of HZ vaccination on newly diagnosed diabetes patients who received an HZ vaccination within 1 year of diagnosis. Exclusion criteria were established to omit patients with immune deficiencies.

Optimizing lipid control in Taiwanese diabetic patients: A collaborative consensus by the Diabetes Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators.

We present an in-depth analysis of dyslipidemia management strategies for patients with diabetes mellitus in Taiwan. It critically examines the disparity between established guideline recommendations and actual clinical practices, particularly in the context of evolving policies affecting statin prescriptions. The focus is on synthesizing the most recent findings concerning lipid management in patients with diabetes mellitus, with a special emphasis on establishing consensus regarding low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment targets.

Association of COVID-19 Infection with Subsequent Thyroid Dysfunction: An International Population-Based Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on thyroid function is a growing concern. Previous studies have produced inconclusive results, and there is a lack of comprehensive research into the long-term risks of thyroid dysfunction following COVID-19 infection. In this retrospective cohort study, we used data from the TriNetX international database, which includes electronic health records from a broad, diverse patient population.

The impact of neuropsychological functions on self-care/self-management of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged people: a scoping review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the impact of neuropsychological functions on self-care/self-management in middle-aged individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Areas Covered: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2012 to April 2023 across multiple databases. Ten articles were included in the scoping review, and 3 articles were included in the meta-analysis.

Denosumab Attenuates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced β-Cell Dysfunction and Apoptosis by Attenuating RANK/RANKL Signals.

Obesity is strongly associated with insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (T2D), mainly because free fatty acids (FFAs) are released from excess fat tissue. Long-term exposure to high levels of FFAs and glucose leads to glucolipotoxicity, causing damage to pancreatic β-cells, thus accelerating the progression of T2D. Therefore, the prevention of β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis is essential to prevent the development of T2D.

Pioglitazone, SGLT2 inhibitors and their combination for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and heart failure in type 2 diabetes: Real-world evidence from a nationwide cohort database.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of SGLT2is, pioglitazone, and their combination on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without a history of cardiovascular disease.

Research Design And Methods: Using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified four groups based on medication use, including 1) both SGLT2is and pioglitazone, 2) SGLT2i, 3) pioglitazone and 4) non-study drugs (reference group). The four groups were matched by propensity score.

Unhealthy lifestyle associated with increased risk of macro- and micro-vascular comorbidities in patients with long-duration type 2 diabetes: results from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyle has been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whereas its association with vascular complications in patients with long-duration of type 2 diabetes is still uncertain.

Methods: A total of 1188 patients with long-duration of type 2 diabetes from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry (TDR) data were analyzed.

TASL, TADE, and DAROC consensus for the screening and management of hepatitis C in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are prevalent diseases globally and emerging evidence demonstrates the bidirectional association between the two diseases. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for HCV have a high treatment success rate and can significantly reduce the risks of short and long-term complications of HCV infection. However, despite the evidence of the association between diabetes and HCV and the benefits of anti-HCV treatment, previously published guidelines did not focus on the universal HCV screening for patients with diabetes and their subsequent management once confirmed as having HCV viremia.

Aspirin and Risk of Specific Breast Cancer Subtype in Women with Diabetes.

Low-dose aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in women with diabetes. However, whether the protective effect of aspirin varies as a function of the hormone receptor status of breast cancer remained an unanswered question. This study aims to explore the association between aspirin use and the risk of specific breast cancer subtypes in women with diabetes.

Liraglutide Attenuates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced RSC96 Schwann Cells' Inflammation and Dysfunction.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a type of sensory nerve damage that can occur in patients with diabetes. Although the understanding of pathophysiology is incomplete, DN is often associated with structural and functional alterations of the affected neurons. Among all possible causes of nerve damage, Schwann cells (SCs) are thought to play a key role in repairing peripheral nerve injury, suggesting that functional deficits occurring in SCs may potentially exhibit their pathogenic roles in DN.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of R-Form Verapamil Added to Ongoing Metformin Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Context: There is a medical need for effective insulin-independent antidiabetic drugs that can promote pancreatic β-cell function and have a low risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. R-form verapamil (R-Vera), which is able to enhance the survival of β-cells and has higher cardiovascular safety margin compared with racemic verapamil, was developed as a novel approach for T2DM treatment.

Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3 dosages of R-Vera added to ongoing metformin therapy in T2DM patients who had inadequate glycemic control on metformin alone.

An Effective Strategy to Activate Physicians to Promote High Cardiovascular Risk Patients to Quit Smoking.

Background: Adult patients cared for by cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists are highly vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are worsened by smoking. In the past, physicians of these three specialties at major hospitals in Taiwan always referred patients to family medicine and chest medicine departments for smoking cessation programs. However, the participation rate in these programs was unsatisfactory.