LEADER 3--lipase and amylase activity in subjects with type 2 diabetes: baseline data from over 9000 subjects in the LEADER Trial.

Objectives: This report from the LEADER (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results) trial describes baseline lipase and amylase activity in type 2 diabetic subjects without acute pancreatitis symptoms before randomization to the glucagonlike peptide analog liraglutide or placebo.

Methods: The LEADER is an international randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the cardiovascular safety of liraglutide in 9340 type 2 diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk. Fasting lipase and amylase activity was assessed at baseline, before receiving liraglutide or placebo, using a commercial assay (Roche) with upper limit of normal values of 63 U/L for lipase and 100 U/L for amylase.

Design of the liraglutide effect and action in diabetes: evaluation of cardiovascular outcome results (LEADER) trial.

Background: Diabetes is a multisystem disorder associated with a nearly twofold excess risk for a broad range of adverse cardiovascular outcomes including coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Liraglutide is a human glucagon-like peptide receptor analog approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Study Design: To formally assess the cardiovascular safety of liraglutide, the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of cardiovascular outcome Results (LEADER) trial was commenced in 2010.

Familial aggregation of atrial fibrillation: a study in Danish twins.

Background: Heritability may play a role in nonfamilial atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that a monozygotic (MZ) twin whose co-twin was diagnosed with AF would have an increased risk of the disease compared with a dizygotic (DZ) twin in the same situation.

Methods And Results: A sample of 1137 same-sex twin pairs (356 MZ and 781 DZ pairs) in which one or both members were diagnosed with AF were identified in The Danish Twin Registry.

KCNE3 mutation V17M identified in a patient with lone atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder with a lifetime risk for development of 25% for people aged 40 or older. In this study we aim for the functional assessment of a mutation in KCNE3 identified in a proband with early-onset lone AF.

Methods: Screening of genomic DNA from the proband led to identification of a KCNE3 V17M missense mutation.

KCNQ1 mutation Q147R is associated with atrial fibrillation and prolonged QT interval.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and long QT syndrome (LQTS) are cardiac arrhythmia disorders that have been related to dysfunction of the voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv7.1 encoded by the KCNQ1 gene.

Objective: The purpose of this study was functional assessment of a mutation in Kv7.

Characterizations of a loss-of-function mutation in the Kir3.4 channel subunit.

Kir3.4 and Kir3.1 potassium channel subunits mediate the acetylcholine induced inwardly rectifying current I(KACh) in the heart.

The variation of the sarcolipin gene (SLN) in atrial fibrillation, long QT syndrome and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

Background: Mutations in genes responsible for the cardiac action potential and control of intracellular Ca(2+)-distribution are associated with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. Sarcolipin is a 31-amino acid protein that inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase pump (SERCA2). The sarcolipin gene, SLN, is expressed in the heart and a candidate gene for cardiomyopathy as well as atrial fibrillation (AF), long QT syndrome (LQTS) or sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).