Association between HbA1c and carotid atherosclerosis among elderly Koreans with normal fasting glucose

The Relationship Between the Serum NLRP3 and Adiponectin Levels and Coronary Lesions in Patients with Unstable Angina with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective

To investigate the Levels of Nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and Adiponectin (APN) and their relationship with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with Unstable Angina (UA) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Two hundred and thirty-one patients with UA were diagnosed by CAG in the Department of Cardiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from July 2022 to May 2023 were included, and 74 healthy subjects were included as the control group. The levels of NLRP3 and APN in each group were detected by ELISA and the Gensini score in each patient according to the results of CAG. The correlations between NLRP3, APN, and Gensini score were analyzed. According to whether complicated with T2D or not, we further analyze the effect of NLRP3 and APN levels of patients with UA and T2D on the severity of coronary artery stenosis.

Results

The levels of NLRP3 in UA with T2D group were the highest, followed by simple UA group, and the lowest in the control group, and the level of APN was the opposite. Spearman Correlation analysis showed that the level of NLRP3 was positively correlated with Gensini score (ρ1=0.688, P<0.05) and the level of APN was negatively associated with Gensini score (ρ2= -0.515, P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between NLRP3 and the level of APN (ρ3= -0.366, P<0.05). High NLRP3 and low APN levels are the risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

The NLRP3 and APN were abnormally expressed in patients with UA complicated with T2D. With the aggravation of atherosclerosis, the level of NLRP3 increased and the level of APN decreased.

Association of carotid atherosclerosis markers with all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality in persons with type 2 diabetes: a causal mediation analysis with glucose variation

AIMS

Glucose variation (GV) is independently associated with mortality in patients with diabetes. However, no study has examined the effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers on mortality after considering GV. Our purpose is to investigate the independent effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) after considering GV and the mediation effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers on associations between GV with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a retrospective cohort study including 3628 persons with T2DM who were admitted to a medical center between January 01, 2001 and October 31, 2021. GV was defined as a coefficient of variation (CV) of repeated measurements within a year before the index date (date of first IMT assessment). Carotid atherosclerosis markers included intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque, and stenosis. The outcomes consisted of all-cause and expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were applied.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 286 (7.9%) had IMT ≥ 2 mm, 2834 (78.1%) had carotid plaque, and 464 (12.8%) had carotid stenosis ≥ 50%. When GV was considered, IMT, carotid plaque, and carotid stenosis were significant factors for all-cause mortality (except IMT considering HbA1c-CV) and expanded CVD mortality. IMT was a significant mediator in the associations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG)-CV with all-cause and expanded CVD mortality (2 and 3.19%, respectively), and carotid stenosis was a significant mediator in the association between FPG-CV and expanded CVD mortality (3.83%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our statistical evaluations show suggests that carotid atherosclerosis markers are important predictors of CVD mortality in persons with T2DM if GV is considered. In addition, IMT and carotid stenosis were significant mediators in the association between GV and mortality.

Factors affecting Hemoglobin A1c in the longitudinal study of the Iranian population using mixed quantile regression

Diabetes, a major non-communicable disease, presents challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Traditional regression models focus on mean effects, but factors can impact the entire distribution of responses over time. Linear mixed quantile regression models (LQMMs) address this issue. A study involving 2791 diabetic patients in Iran explored the relationship between Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, cholesterol, triglycerides, ischemic heart disease, and treatments (insulin, oral anti-diabetic drugs, and combination). LQMM analysis examined the association between HbA1c and the explanatory variables. Associations between cholesterol, triglycerides, ischemic heart disease (IHD), insulin, oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs), a combination of OADs and insulin, and HbA1c levels exhibited varying degrees of correlation across all quantiles (p < 0.05), demonstrating a positive effect. While BMI did not display significant effects in the lower quantiles (p > 0.05), it was found to be significant in the higher quantiles (p < 0.05). The impact of disease duration differed between the low and high quantiles (specifically at the quantiles of 5, 50, and 75; p < 0.05). Age was discovered to have an association with HbA1c in the higher quantiles (specifically at the quantiles of 50, 75, and 95; p < 0.05). The findings reveal important associations and shed light on how these relationships may vary across different quantiles and over time. These insights can serve as guidance for devising effective strategies to manage and monitor HbA1c levels.

The Relationship between Selected Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) Value in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Co-Existing with Early Microvascular Complications

Recent years have confirmed the importance of oxidative stress and biomarkers of inflammation in estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and explaining not fully understood pathogenesis of diabetic macroangiopathy. We aimed to analyze the relation between the intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries and the occurrence of classical cardiovascular risk factors, together with the newly proposed biomarkers of CVD risk (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), adiponectin, N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and vitamin D) in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) recognized in screening tests to present early stages of microvascular complications (VC). The study group consisted of 50 adolescents and young adults with T1D, mean age 17.1 years (10–26 age range), including 20 patients with VC (+) and 30 VC (−). The control group (Control) consisted of 22 healthy volunteers, mean age 16.5 years (11–26 age range). In the VC (+) patients, we found a significantly higher concentration of HbA1c, lipid levels, hsCRP and NT-proBNP. BMI and blood pressure values were highest in the VC (+) group. Higher levels of MPO and lower levels of vitamin D were found in both diabetic groups vs. Control. IMT in VC (+) patients was significantly higher and correlated positively with HbA1c, hsCRP, NT-pro-BNP and negatively with vitamin D levels. In conclusion, youth with T1D and VC (+) present many abnormalities in the classical and new CVD biomarkers. hsCRP and MPO seem to be the most important markers for estimating the risk of macroangiopathy. NT-proBNP may present a possible marker of early myocardial injury in this population.

Magnesium Sulfate Administration in Moderate Coronary Artery Disease Patients Improves Atherosclerotic Risk Factors: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial Study

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is known to promote vascular and cardiac dysfunctions such as atherosclerosis. This study investigated the effect of oral MgSO4 therapy to improve lipid profile and serum oxidized LDL level and its receptor (LOX1) in moderate coronary atherosclerotic patients. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study, 64 patients with moderate coronary artery disease were selected according to angiography findings. Participants were divided into 2 groups including Mg-treated (n = 32) and placebo (n = 32) The patients received either placebo or MgSO4 supplement capsule, containing 300 mg MgSO4 for 6 months on a daily basis. Lipid profile, HbA1c, 2h postprandial (2hpp) blood glucose, fasting blood sugar, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and lectin-like ox-LDL receptor 1 (LOX1) concentrations were measured at baseline and every 3 months. HbA1c, serum LOX1, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations were significantly lower in the Mg-treated group than the placebo group 3 months after MgSO4 administration. 2hpp, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SGPT, SGOT levels, and HbA1c levels significantly improved in the Mg-treated group compared with the placebo-received group. Overall, the results of this study showed that magnesium treatment improved some of the major risk factors of atherosclerosis. According to the results of liver function tests (SGOT and SGPT), magnesium therapy seems to be safe in patients with moderate atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, it is suggested that magnesium to be used along with other atherosclerosis control drugs.

Cohort profile: Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study, a prospective cohort on ageing and health in Korea

PURPOSE

The Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) cohort was initiated to study the epidemiologic characteristics, physical performance, laboratory and imaging biomarkers and incidence of age-related diseases in an elderly population with respect to both clinical and social aspects to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for combatting age-related diseases.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3517 adults aged 65 or older participated in the cohort at baseline from 2012 to 2015, recruited from three urban districts and one rural district in Korea. The second-wave follow-up survey is now being conducted at a 4-year interval from baseline (2016-2019; follow-up rate 71.5%). The data set included detailed information on anthropometric and socioeconomic factors, functional assessments, image scans (plain radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and CT), biospecimens (ie, serum, urine and DNA) and social support networks along with the feasibility of linkage to a national claims database.

FINDINGS TO DATE

Mean age of participants at entry was 71.9±4.6 years and 67% were women. From the KURE participants enrolled in baseline recruitment, several studies were published in the fields of cardiometabolic diseases, musculoskeletal health and the association between social support network and diseases in ageing.

FUTURE PLANS

Participants will be observed actively and passively every 4-5 years and the first follow-up will be completed in 2020. The KURE data set has strength in comprehensive physical function assessments, quantifiable imaging data sets using CT and detailed information regarding the social support networks of participants from a large community-based elderly Korean population.

Echolucency-based phenotype in carotid atherosclerosis disease for risk stratification of diabetes patients

AIM

The study investigated the association of carotid ultrasound echolucent plaque-based biomarker with HbA1c, measured as age-adjusted grayscale median (AAGSM) as a function of chronological age, total plaque area, and conventional grayscale median (GSM_conv).

METHODS

Two stages were developed: (a) automated measurement of carotid parameters such as total plaque area (TPA); (b) computing the AAGSM as a function of GSM_conv, age, and TPA. Intra-operator (novice and experienced) analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

IRB approved, 204 patients' left/right CCA (408 images) ultrasound scans were collected: mean age: 69 ± 11 years; mean HbA1c: 6.12 ± 1.47%. A moderate inverse correlation was observed between AAGSM and HbA1c (CC of -0.13, P = 0.01), compared to GSM (CC of -0.06, P = 0.24). The RCCA and LCCA showed CC of -0.18, P < 0.01 and -0.08; P < 0.24. Female and males showed CC of -0.29, P < 0.01 and -0.10, P = 0.09. Using the threshold for AAGSM and HbA1c as: low-risk (AAGSM > 100; HbA1c < 5.7%), moderate-risk (40 < AAGSM < 100; 5.7% < HbA1c < 6.5%) and high-risk (AAGSM < 40; HbA1c > 6.5%), the area under the curve showed a better performance of AAGSM over GSM_conv. A paired t-test between operators and expert (P < 0.0001); inter-operator CC of 0.85 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Echolucent plaque in patients with diabetes can be more accurately characterized for risk stratification using AAGSM compared to GSM_conv.

Factors associated with carotid Intima media thickness and carotid plaque score in community-dwelling and non-diabetic individuals

Background

The carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque score (cPS) are respective markers of early and late stage subclinical atherosclerosis. Relationships between some laboratory parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis are not yet clear in community dwelling individuals and non-diabetic subjects, so we try to elucidate these relationships and find a model to predict early and late stage subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods

We examined relationships of the cIMT and cPS with different laboratory and demographic data of 331 subjects from a community-based prospective cohort study, using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

In regression models and after multiple adjustments, only systolic blood pressure (SBP), age, glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c), and waist circumference (WC) were determinants of the cIMT, and only age, SBP, HBA1c, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determinants of a cPS of > 2 in all individuals. Only HBA1c lost its association with regard to predicting the cIMT in non-diabetic subjects.

Conclusions

HBA1c at > 5.9% can determine early and late stage subclinical atherosclerosis in community dwelling individuals, but only late stage subclinical atherosclerosis in non-diabetic subjects.

Hemoglobin A1c is associated with severity of coronary artery stenosis but not with long term clinical outcomes in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are known to present with multiple vessel lesions during coronary angiography. The underlying mechanism remains elusive and there is a shortage of serum prediction markers. In this study, we investigate the relationship between admission HbA_1c and severity of coronary artery stenosis and subsequent prognosis in AMI patients with or without diabetes.

Research design and methods

We measured admission HbA_1c, and vessel scores based on the number of diseased coronary vessels with significant stenosis in 628 patients diagnosed with AMI. Simple and multi-regression analysis were performed to investigate the correlation between HbA_1c and the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including new-onset myocardial infarction, acute heart failure and cardiac death, were documented during the follow-up. 272 non-DM participants and 137 DM participants were separated into two groups based on HbA_1c levels for survival analysis during a 2-year follow up.

Results

448 non-DM patients and 180 DM patients were included in the initial observational analysis. 272 non-DM patients and 137 DM patients were included in the follow-up survival analysis. The admission HbA_1c level was found to be significantly positively correlated to the number of affected vessels suffering from significant coronary artery stenosis both in DM (R square = 0.012; 95% CI 0.002 to 0.623, P = 0.049) and non DM patients (R square = 0.025; 95% CI 0.009 to 0.289, P = 0.037). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed no significant difference with regard to different HbA_1c levels either in DM or non-DM patients at the end of follow-up.

Conclusions

In patients with AMI, admission HbA_1c is an important predictor for the severity of coronary artery stenosis in non-DM and DM patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether longer term follow-up could further identify the prognosis effect of HbA_1c on MACE.

Influence of glycosylated hemoglobin on the choroidal thickness

PURPOSE

The aim of the study reported here was to assess the influence of serum HbA1c levels on foveal choroidal thickness in diabetic patients.

METHODS

A total of 122 eyes from 122 patients who had type 2 DM were studied in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into three groups: 43 patients (43 eyes) without diabetic retinopathy (NDR), 39 patients (39 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy and no macular edema (DR/ME-), 40 patients (40 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy and macular edema (DR/ME+). Central foveal thicknesses and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were noted. Subfoveal choroidal thickness measurement was taken perpendicularly from the outer part of the retinal pigment epithelial layer to the line corresponding to the choroidal-scleral junction. Serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

No significant differences in age, gender, pseudophakia were observed between the groups. There was no significant difference in HbA1c value among the three diabetic groups. Mean foveal choroidal thickness was 270.09 ± 42.41 in NDR group, 243.18 ± 30.21 in DR/ME- group and 250.90 ± 40.06 in DR/ME+ group. Mean foveal choroidal thickness in NDR group was significantly different from DR/ME- group. There was no statistically significant difference between the other groups among foveal choroidal thicknesses. There was no correlation between HbA1c and foveal choroidal thickness. Multiple regression analyses of two diabetic retinopathy groups showed no significant correlation between foveal choroidal thickness and HbA1c and also no significant correlation between foveal choroidal thickness and duration of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum HbA1c levels were not correlated with foveal choroidal thickness. Choroidal thickness is effected by several factors as axial length, age and systemic diseases.