Vasculotoxic effects of insulin and its role in atherosclerosis: what is the evidence?

As a result of ambiguous results from several recent trials in diabetes, scrutiny has focused on the potential effects of insulin and its role in atherosclerosis. This article reviews the premise that anti-diabetes therapy (type 2 diabetes) with insulin causes vascular impairment that leads to atherothrombosis and compromises vascular integrity, which may further potentiates cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Underlying mechanisms are discussed, including metabolic derangements (blood pressure, lipids, body weight, and glucose) and how these factors trigger insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors, leading to cancer.

GLP-1 agonist-based therapies: an emerging new class of antidiabetic drug with potential cardioprotective effects.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States and across the world, and better therapies are constantly being sought to improve patient outcomes. Recent studies have brought our attention to the mechanisms of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Not only does it demonstrate beneficial effects in regard to cardiovascular risk factors (i.