Polymorphism analysis of ADIPOQ gene in Greek patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified as risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) onset. The purpose of our study was to determine whether ADIPOQ rs1501299 and rs2241766 gene polymorphisms are associated with DR in a cohort of Greek diabetic patients.

Materials And Methods: 218 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were included in the study; 109 suffered from DR and 109 not.

The association of T786C and G894T polymorphisms of eNOS gene with diabetic retinopathy in Greece.

Purpose: To investigate whether eNOS T786C (rs2070744) and G894T (rs1799983) gene polymorphisms are associated with diabetic retinopathy in Greek diabetic patients.

Materials: 271 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus participated in our study; 130 suffered from diabetic retinopathy and 141 not. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, while clinical and demographic data were assessed.

Arterial stiffness and microvascular disease in type 2 diabetes.

Background: The clustering of arterial stiffness with microvascular disease (MD) and their effects on the clinical outcome of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains not fully clarified.

Methods: In a prospective study of 414 patients with T2D, we investigated the prognostic value of arterial stiffness and MD for clinical outcomes. Participants were assessed for the presence of MD (ie diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and followed-up for a median of 30 (range 1-60) months.

Associations between Adiponectin Gene Variability, Proinflammatory and Angiogenetic Markers: Implications for Microvascular Disease Development in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

Background: Adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) variability may affect the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but it remains unclear whether it is involved in microvascular complications.

Objective: To explore the impact of ADIPOQ variability on markers of inflammation and angiogenesis in T2DM.

Methods: Overall, 220 consecutive T2DM patients from our outpatient diabetic clinic were genotyped for G276T (rs1501299) and T45G (rs2241766) single nucleotide polymorphisms of ADIPOQ gene.

Novel biomarkers in heart failure: usefulness in clinical practice.

Biomarkers have become an increasingly important tool in clinical practice, helping to improve patient care. In heart failure (HF), brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal prohormone of the brain natriuretic peptide have been widely applied in prognosis, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Recently, several novel biomarkers have been examined on their efficacy to improve diagnosis, determine the pathophysiologic state of HF, improve clinical decision making, clinical outcome, guide treatment and assess prognosis of HF patients.

MicroRNAs: Biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by low insulin production/secretion by pancreatic beta cells and/or low responsiveness by insulin target tissues MicroRNAs have been associated with DM, but it is not clear whether this is a cause or an effect of metabolic abnormalities related to DM. In the hyperglycemic environment miRNAs are in involved in multiple stages of cardiovascular disease development and progression. In diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease miRNAs could potentially serve as early biomarkers for diagnosis and as therapeutic agents.