Retrospective analysis of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after the first acute myocardial infarction

We retrospectively analyzed survival in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study was conducted in 5 sites in Poland and involved 521 patients who survived more than 30 days after AMI. In the 5-year period after the acute event, we investigated the following cardiovascular (CV) outcomes: death (overall mortality), next MI, stroke, hospitalization due to acute coronary symptoms (HACS), and composite outcomes (whichever occurred first). We also assessed: age, smoking habit, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed before AMI, and gender. 269 patients (52%) suffered one of the outcomes from the composite CV endpoint. HACS was the first event in 164 cases, MI in 59, death in 32, and stroke in 14 patients. Analyzing the prevalence of individual CV events, we found: HACS in 184 patients (35%), next MI in 79 patients (15%), death in 59 patients (11%), and stroke in 30 patients (6%). Only dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and CAD were independent risk factors with an impact on composite CV endpoint. Other analyzed risk factors like smoking and obesity did not have independent effects on the CV risk. In the retrospective analysis, we found that HACS was the most frequent CV event in individuals with type 2 DM after AMI. The CV risk in type 2 diabetics who suffered at least one myocardial infarction was further increased in those with coexisting dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension or CAD. These findings support the current guidelines which recommend aggressive management of CV risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia and CAD before a first myocardial infarction.

Features of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients

Macroangiopathy is the most frequent complication in type 2 diabetic patients. Coexistence of atherosclerosis and diabetes may cause diagnostic difficulties resulting from an asymptomatic course. Alternatively, patients may overexpress their symptoms as the result of awareness the consequences of the disease. Careful assessment of clinical symptoms followed by preventive diagnosis of high-risk patients as well as proper patient education allow for significant reductions of hazard of the consequences of macrovascular complications in diabetic patients

Cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetics: epidemiology, risk factors and therapeutic modalities

Macrovascular complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major global health problem that is currently on the rise. Accelerated cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis is the major cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease are operative or even exacerbated in diabetic patients, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, central obesity, and smoking. Other diabetes-specific factors, such as increased levels of plasminogen activator 1 and fibrinogen, chronic inflammation, genetic susceptibility, and accelerated glycosylation end-products-mediated vascular damage, are thought to play a role in the development of CVD among patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies will hopefully elucidate the clinical relevance of such factors. In addition, recent studies indicate that hyperglycemia is an important and independent risk factor for CVD. Increased risk of CVD is directly related to elevated 1 and 2 hour post-prandial blood glucose averages, as well as to fasting hyperglycemia. Thus, specific treatment regimens designed to reduce the development rate of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes must consider the impact of risk factors and their control, as well as the need for optimal metabolic and glycemic control.

[Otoacoustic emissions and auditory brain stem responses in insulin dependent diabetic patients]

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and hearing impairment has been studied for more than 100 years, and is still a matter of controversy. In our study hearing in diabetic patients was studied by tonal audiometry, brain stem auditory evoked responses and evoked otoacoustic emissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of peripheral and central auditory pathway in subjects with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Possible correlation between auditory function and microangiopathy (retinopathy or nephropathy) also have been investigated. Cochlear activity was evaluated by means of otoacoustic emissions. The functional changes in the brain stem were evaluated by ABR. OAEs and ABR were measured in 42 normally hearing IDDM patients aged between 21 and 42 years, and 33 aged- and sex-matched non-diabetic control subjects. IDDM patients were distributed into two groups, 17 patients without microangiopathy and 25 patients with microangiopathy.

RESULTS

Both of the groups (diabetic and control) had normal and undifferentiated results in tonal and impedance audiometry. The mean amplitudes of various DPOAEs were significantly reduced in the diabetic group compared with control subjects. No correlations were found between microangiopathy and DPOAE amplitudes reduced. ABR latencies were longer in diabetic patients when compared with those of control subjects. These findings indicate a central disturbance in the auditory pathway. Microvascular complications (retinopathy or nephropathy) were associated only with the prolongation wave I latency. In conclusion, the combined use of different procedures for monitoring the central and peripheral portions of the auditory pathway in diabetic patients showed the existence of the alterations in the cochlear micromechanics and in the retrocochlear auditory pathway.

Sulfonylurea receptor gene 16-3 polymorphism - association with sulfonylurea or insulin treatment in type 2 diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND

The presence of a complex phenotype of type 2 diabetes results from impaired insulin secretion and action, whereas the mechanism of action of sulfonylurea derivatives, most commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is based on their ability to directly inhibit the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP), which leads to b-cell depolarization, subsequent influx of calcium and then insulin exocytosis. It has recently been demonstrated in healthy subjects that molecular variants of the gene encoding for the KATP subunit - sulfonylurea receptor gene (SUR1) are associated with a decreased response of insulin secretion to intravenous injection of tolbutamide, a sulfonylurea derivative. In this study we tested whether a molecular variant of the SUR1 gene, 16-3t, has a different distribution in type 2 diabetic patients with early failure of sulfonylurea therapy, compared to patients treatable with sulfonylurea despite long diabetes duration.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The SUR1 polymorphism was genotyped in 68 type 2 diabetic patients who required insulin treatment and had known diabetes duration L 5 years, compared to 99 patients receiving oral agents (sulfonylurea alone or in combination with metformin or acarbose) with known diabetes duration of at least 15 years.

RESULTS

We observed no significant differences in SUR1 16-3t genotype distributions or allele frequencies between the two examined groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence against a major impact of the SUR1 c16-3t polymorphism on the long-term effectiveness of therapy with sulfonylurea derivatives in type 2 diabetic patients.

Cochlear dysfunction and diabetic microangiopathy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cochlear micromechanics in type 1 diabetic patients and to compare these findings with diabetic microvascular complications (retinopathy and nephropathy). Cochlear activity was evaluated by recording 2f1-f2 DPOAE. DPOAEs were performed using an ILO92 Otodynamics Ltd Analyser. DPOAEs were measured in 42 normally hearing IDDM patients aged between 21 and 42 years, and 33 age-and sex-matched non-diabetic control subjects. IDDM patients were divided into two groups: 17 patients without microangiopathy and 25 with microangiopathy. Microangiopathy was evaluated with ophthalmoscopy and 24-hour albumin excretion rate into urine. Both groups (diabetic and control) had normal and undifferentiated results in tonal and impedance audiometry. The mean amplitudes of various DPOAEs were significantly reduced in the diabetic groups (with and without microangiopathy) compared with control subjects. No correlation was found between diabetic microvascular complications and DPOAE amplitudes reduction. Our results indicate the existence of an alteration in cochlear micromechanics in diabetic patients with microangiopathy as well as in patients without microangiopathy. The lack of significant correlation between the degree of microvascular complications in the retina or kidneys and DPOAEs amplitude reduction suggest that the impaired functional properties of the outer hair cells are probably caused by early metabolic complications in diabetes (among other things non-enzymatic glycation related to hyperactivity of free oxygen radicals) and not directly by diabetic microangiopathy.

Sympathetic overactivity and arterial hypertension in renal failure

In the past, it had been presumed that hypertension in chronic renal disease can be explained by the dual effects of sodium retention and inappropriate activity of the renin-angiotensin system. Recent experimental and clinical data provide strong evidence that the increase in blood pressure is to a large part due to sympathetic overactivity which is triggered by afferent signals emanating from the kidney and resetting sympathetic tone by stimulation of hypothalamic centres. The sequelae of sympathetic overactivity extend beyond their effects on blood pressure and include accelerated progression of renal failure and presumably increased cardiac arrhythmia.

Early Identification of Hearing Impairment in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cochlear micromechanics and central auditory function in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and to identify the site of possible dysfunction.

METHODS

Cochlear activity was evaluated by recording distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). DPOAEs were performed using an ILO 92 Otodynamics Analyser. Functional changes in the retrocochlear auditory pathway were evaluated by auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). DPOAEs and ABRs were measured in 42 normally hearing patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus aged 21 to 42 years, and 33 age- and sex-matched nondiabetic control subjects.

RESULTS

Both of the groups (diabetic and control) had normal and undifferentiated results in tonal and impedance audiometry. ABR peripheral transmission time (wave I) and central transmission time (interpeak latencies I-V) were significantly delayed in the diabetic compared with normal subjects, and the mean amplitudes of various DPOAEs were significantly reduced in the diabetic patients compared with the control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined use of different procedures for monitoring central and peripheral portions of the auditory pathway in diabetic patients showed alterations in cochlear micromechanics and the retrocochlear auditory pathway. Hearing impairment in diabetic patients is usually mild and subclinical, and can be detected early by accurate and objective audiometric methods.

Lowering of microalbuminuria in diabetic patients by a sympathicoplegic agent: novel approach to prevent progression of diabetic nephropathy?

There is convincing evidence for a specific BP-independent effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on albuminuria in glomerular disease. Because progression of glomerular disease is not consistently halted by these agents, there is a need to explore potential renoprotective effects of other drugs. Recent animal work documented that nonhypotensive doses of moxonidine, a sympathicoplegic agent, reduce albuminuria and development of glomerulosclerosis in a BP-independent manner. A randomized, crossover design was used to assess the human relevance of the experimental data in 15 normotensive, nonsmoking type 1 diabetic mellitus patients with good glycemic control (age, 37.3 +/- 6.6 yr; 9 men/6 women; duration of diabetes, 23.6 +/- 5.1 yr) with baseline urinary albumin excretion rates (AER) >20 microg/min in the run-in phase. AER was assessed in overnight timed urine collections. The patients were assigned to a 3-wk placebo and a 3-wk moxonidine (0.2 mg twice a day) period, respectively, in random order. This dose causes modest BP lowering in hypertensive individuals but does not affect BP in normotensive individuals. There was no significant effect on ambulatory BP (mean arterial pressure, 91.8 +/- 7.1 mmHg in the third week of placebo and 91.1 +/- 8.7 mm Hg on moxonidine). There was a significant (P< 0.006) difference of the treatment effects between placebo and moxonidine, respectively, on AER; median AER at the end of the placebo period was 39.8 microg/min (range, 15.9 to 117 microg/min) versus 29.0 (range, 9.03 to 85.8 microg/min) at the end of the moxonidine period. The data document an antialbuminuric effect of nonhypotensive doses of moxonidine. Diminished sympathetic traffic to the kidney is the most plausible explanation for the finding.

[A grid pattern type of photocoagulation in treatment of diabetic maculopathy--personal experience]

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of visual outcome of 425 eyes in 283 patients treated by focal and grid pattern photocoagulation for clinically significant macular edema according to the recommendations of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

On the basis of baseline status of macula, eyes were classified into three groups: group I--eyes treated by focal photocoagulation (39 eyes), group II--eyes treated by focal photocoagulation and/or modified grid (84 eyes), group III--eyes treated by focal photocoagulation and/or grid pattern (302 eyes). Eligibility criteria for this retrospective study included a diagnosis of clinically significant macular edema according to the ETDRS scale. The baseline examination for all patients presented in this review included: the best corrected visual acuity (VA), slit lamp with contact lens indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography and fluorescein angiography. All patients were treated with argon green by grid with Nidek 2300 laser. Modified grid or focal photocoagulation according to the ETDRS recommendations were performed. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were transferred to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) after treatment of maculopathy. Development of VA from the baseline to last checkup in treated eyes was reported and compared. Follow-up ranged widely from 6 to 45 months.

RESULTS

General stabilization was achieved in 51.3%, improvement in 10.1% and deterioration in 38.6% of eyes. The best results were achieved after selective and focal and/or modified grid treatment: in the Ist group stabilization of VA was achieved in 43.6% and improvement in 41% of eyes; in the IInd group: stabilization in 60.7% and improvement in 21.4% were stated; in the IIIrd group: stabilization in 49.7% and improvement only in 3.0%. In 164 (38.6%) cases supplemental treatment was administered.

CONCLUSION

Photocoagulation has proved effective in the treatment of diabetic clinically significant macular edema.

[The estimation of L-ascorbic acid serum concentration and selected parameters of metabolism of serum lipids in pregnant women with diabetes]

Diabetes during pregnancy is a pathological state causing many metabolic disorders, not only in carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of the study was to estimate the changes of lipids metabolism and changes of L-ascorbic acid serum concentration in pregnancy complicated by diabetes. In tested groups values of lipids metabolism parameters were lower in diabetic group compared to control group. The lowest mean values of concentration of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were found in gestational diabetes group, while the lowest mean value of HDL cholesterol concentration was found in pregestational diabetic group. The L-ascorbic acid mean values correlated negatively with total cholesterol concentrations, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

Reduced insulin-mediated glucose uptake by euglycemic clamp in offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes

Family studies point to an important genetic element in the genesis of type 2 diabetes. A variety of metabolic abnormalities have been documented in offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes. It has not been shown, however, at what age reduced insulin sensitivity is demonstrable using the sensitive the euglycemic clamp technique. To address this issue we screened 425 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients and examined all available (n = 48) normotensive, normoglycemic, non-smoking offspring (mean age 31.4+/-0.9 years) and compared them to 22 healthy offspring of non-diabetic parents (controls). The two groups were of similar age and BMI. Measurements in offspring and controls included baseline IRI, tissue glucose uptake (TGU, using euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique), and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). TGU was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in offspring of diabetic parents (338.8+/-19.9 (mol/kg/min) when compared to controls (516.6+/-22.2 micromol/kg/min). 24 h systolic ABP was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in propositi compared to controls (121.2+/-2.2 mm Hg and 113.8+/-1.7 mm Hg, respectively). No difference in triglycerides concentration was found. A borderline negative correlation was observed, however, between triglyceride levels and TGU (R = -0.48, p < 0.001). TGU was not related to the presence or absence of diabetic nephropathy in the parents. We conclude: Insulin resistance and various facets of the metabolic syndrome are demonstrable even at age 30 years in young non-obese, normotensive offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes. These disturbances are not related to the presence of microvascular complications in parents.

[Insulin resistance in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes mellitus is the disease with heterogeneous aetiology. Among the causes of hyperglycaemia the insulin resistance with it's genetical background is mentioned. The aim of the study was the assessment of insulin resistance in healthy offspring of type 2 diabetic patients as well as assessment whether the coexistence of nephropathy in parents has an impact on insulin resistance in offspring. 56 subjects with positive familial history of diabetes type 2 divided into 2 groups were admitted. Subgroup A1 30 subjects (mean age 33.0 +/- 8.5 years) consisted of those who had familial history of diabetes without nephropathy and subgroup A2 26 subjects (mean age 33.0 +/- 6.5 years) with familial history of diabetic nephropathy. Control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers without familial history. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test was performed in all subjects studied. Tissue glucose uptake (TGU) was significantly lower while fasting insulinemia In0 was significantly higher in A1 and A2 groups when compared to controls (respectively TGU 5.6 +/- 2.2, 6.3 +/- 2.5 and 9.5 +/- 2.2 mg/kg/min p < 0.005, In0 19.4 +/- 8.3, 20.8 +/- 8.9 and 11.4 +/- 6.0 p < 0.001). No differences in TGU and In0 when compared A1 vs. A2 group were found. In-depth analysis did not show any differences in relation on whether diabetes was inherited from father's or mother's side. It was also shown that BMI did not interfere on insulin resistance in patients with positive familial history of diabetes. We conclude that insulin resistance has the genetical background and that insulin resistance and nephropathy are inherited separately.

[Microangiopathic complications in type 2 diabetes]

The current knowledge concerning macroangiopathic complications of type 2 diabetes was presented in the review. The prevalence of atherosclerosis in coexistence with diabetes was indicated as well as the factors involved in the increased progression of the complication. The clinical differences in the course of particular types of atherosclerosis were described. The risk factors of atherosclerosis and the potential possibilities of the prevention were also analyzed.

A polymorphism in the gene for the atrial natriuretic peptide and diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group

BACKGROUND

Atrial natriuretic peptide is involved in blood pressure regulation via its vasodilating and natriuretic actions. Since diabetic nephropathy and hypertension are closely related, ANP is a reasonable candidate gene for diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODS

We genotyped 410 patients with type I diabetes (without DN n = 307; with DN n = 103) and 658 patients with type II diabetes (without DN n = 464; with DN n = 194). In the patients the duration of diabetes was at least 10 years. Diabetic nephropathy was defined as urinary albumin excretion of > or = 30 mg/24 h. The HpaII polymorphism in intron 2 of the ANP gene was determined using PCR amplification followed by restriction digest. Alleles were separated on agarose gels stained with ethidium bromide.

RESULTS

We compared genotype distribution and allele frequencies between patients with and without nephropathy. No significant difference was observed either in type I (allele frequency without DN H1, 0.02/H2, 0.98 vs with DN H1, 0.05/H2, 0.95; P = 0.132) or in type II diabetes (allele frequency without DN H1, 0.04/H2, 0.96 vs with DN H1, 0.05/H2, 0.95; P = 0.551).

CONCLUSIONS

The polymorphism in the gene for the atrial natriuretic peptide does not seem to play a major role in the development of diabetic nephropathy in either type I or in type II diabetes.

Pathogenesis and course of renal disease in IDDM/NIDDM: differences and similarities

In the past the opinion prevailed that renal prognosis was less adverse in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) as compared with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). This notion has to be revised in the light of recent evidence, based on epidemiologic data of NIDDM patients reaching endstage renal failure and a comparison of the cumulative prevalence of proteinuria and renal failure, respectively, in NIDDM as compared with IDDM. It has also been established that initial renal hemodynamic changes are quite comparable in NIDDM and in IDDM. It follows that past complacency about the renal sequelae of NIDDM is no longer justified and that preventive measures to interfere with the development of diabetic nephropathy are similarly important in NIDDM and IDDM.

[Nephropathy and hypertension in type II diabetes]

BACKGROUND

In Germany nephropathy in patients with type II diabetes has become the most frequent single cause of uremia requiring renal replacement therapy. This calls for effective measures of prevention.

DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY AND HYPERTENSION

In patients with established diabetic nephropathy, hypertension is the most important pathogenetic factor which is susceptible to therapeutic intervention. Some pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed which impact on antihypertensive therapy. Interaction between hypertension and diabetic nephropathy is analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Diabetic nephropathy in patients with type II diabetes has become the most frequent cause of endstage renal failure in Germany. Preventive measures, i. e. near normal glycemia and particularly antihypertensive treatment, have been proven to interfere with progression of renal failure in diabetic nephropathy. Early recognition is possible by testing for urinary albumin (microalbuminuria). In patients with diabetic nephropathy, blood pressure should be lowered to values well within the range of normotension by dietary salt restriction and antihypertensive drug therapy.

Nephropathy of type II diabetes: evidence for hereditary factors?

Family studies point to an important genetic element in the genesis of diabetic nephropathy, but it is not known whether renal abnormalities are present prior to the onset of diabetes. To address this issue we examined all consecutive patients suffering from type II diabetes with a duration of more than 10 years who attended a diabetes outpatient clinic. Ninety-four patients had nephropathy, 307 did not. All offspring who were phenotypically normal (no hypertension, normal oral glucose tolerance, non-smoking) and agreed to participate were examined, 26 from nephropathic and 30 from non-nephropathic diabetic parents. They were compared with 30 offspring matched for age, gender and BMI from non-diabetic parents as controls. We measured urinary albumin excretion under baseline conditions and at several time points after ingestion of 300 g cooked beef and submaximal treadmill exercise, respectively. In addition, casual blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure, urinary albumin and urinary alpha-1-microglobulin were measured. Primary renal disease was excluded by clinical examination. Under baseline conditions, median urinary albumin excretion rate (AER; microgram/min) was significantly (P < 0.005) higher in offspring of nephropathic type II diabetic patients (7.8; range 1.04 to 19.5) than in the offspring of non-nephropathic type II diabetic patients (4.8; 0.36 to 17.5) and controls (4.4; 0.16 to 18.4). Submaximal treadmill exercise caused a greater proportional increase of AER in offspring of nephropathic type II diabetics (median 16-fold) than in offspring of non-nephropathic diabetic patients (6.3-fold) or controls (4.8-fold). In offspring of nephropathic diabetic patients casual and particularly ambulatory systolic blood pressures were significantly higher, but AER was not correlated with blood pressure. In summary, higher values, albeit within the normal range, for baseline and postexercise albuminuria were noted in phenotypically normal offspring of parents with type II diabetes and nephropathy. The observation suggests that changes in transglomerular albumin traffic are demonstrable prior to the onset of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in subjects with a potential genetic predisposition to these conditions.

Excess of DD homozygotes in haemodialysed patients with type II diabetes. The Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group

The role of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in the genesis of diabetic nephropathy has been controversial. It has recently been proposed that progression occurs more rapidly in individuals with diabetic and non-diabetic renal disease who are homozygous for the D allele. We studied 658 patients with type II diabetes, 347 without diabetic nephropathy and 311 with various stages of diabetic nephropathy, and determined the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene. Patients at the extremes of renal risk, i.e. normotensive patients without antihypertensive treatment and without nephropathy (n = 144), vs patients on dialysis (n = 61), differed with respect to genotype (DD 36.8% vs 57.4%; P = 0.007) and allele frequencies (D 0.59 vs 0.76; P < 0.001). In contrast, patients with and without presumed nephropathy as assessed by albuminuria did not differ with respect to DD genotype. In conclusion, in this study, which was limited by sample size, patients with the highest renal risk more frequently had the DD genotype. This would be compatible with a greater risk of (or rate of) progression to end-stage renal failure.

Risk factors for development of diabetic nephropathy: a review

Recently evidence has accumulated that diabetic nephropathy clusters in families, both in insulin-dependent (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetic patients. Furthermore, hypertension and cardiovascular accidents are found more frequently in families of NIDDM with diabetic nephropathy. Some observations in offspring of NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy point to high urinary albumin excretion and slightly greater blood pressure values, both within the normal range compared to offspring of patients without diabetic nephropathy. Further follow-up is required to assess whether these findings are indicative of a possible genetic predisposition to diabetic nephropathy.

Angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism is not associated with diabetic nephropathy. The Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group

BACKGROUND

There is agreement that a family history of hypertension (HT), is a predictor for the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes, and possibly also type 1 diabetes. It follows that genes related to the risk of hypertension must also be considered candidate genes for DN. The 235T allele of the angiotensinogen gene was found to be related to primary HT.

METHODS

To examine whether it is predictive for DN as well, we examined the angiotensinogen gene polymorphism in 230 healthy local controls, 423 patients with type 1 diabetes (n = 180 with DN; n = 243 without DN) and 663 patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 310 with DN; n = 353 without DN). The angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism was determined using PCR amplification.

RESULTS

The following results were obtained (i) no significant difference of genotype distribution (type 1: MM/MT/TT (%) 27.6/57.2/15.2 vs 27.2/56.1/16.7 (P = 0.92); type 2; MM/MT/TT (%) 31.7/48.2/2/20.1 vs. 32.9/46.8/20.3 (P = 0.93) or allele frequencies (type 1: M 0.56 vs. 0.55 (P = 0.795); type 2; M 0.56 vs. 0.56 (P = 0.86)) was found, between diabetic patients with or without DN, (ii) no difference was found between normotensive and hypertensive diabetic patients.

CONCLUSION

The data argue against a role of the angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism in the manifestation of diabetic nephropathy or hypertension in diabetic patients.