Progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness during 12 years in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study

No correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and long-term glycemic control in individuals with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To determine whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD), is associated with long-term blood glucose control in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

We recruited 508 individuals (43.4% men; median age 46.1, IQR 37.8-55.9 years) with T1D (median diabetes duration of 30.4, IQR 21.2-40.8 years) in a cross-sectional retrospective sub-study, part of the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data were collected retrospectively over the course of ten years (HbA1c-meanoverall) prior to the clinical study visit that included a clinical examination, biochemical sampling, and ultrasound of the common carotid arteries.

RESULTS

Individuals with T1D had a median CIMT of 606 μm (IQR 538-683 μm) and HbA1c of 8.0% (7.3-8.8%) during the study visit and HbA1c-meanoverall of 8.0% (IQR 7.3-8.8%). CIMT did not correlate with HbA1c (p = 0.228) at visit or HbA1c-meanoverall (p = 0.063). After controlling for relevant factors in multivariable linear regression analysis, only age was associated with CIMT (p < 0.001). After further dividing CIMT into quartiles, no correlation between long-term glucose control and CIMT (%, 1st 8.1 [IQR 7.2-8.9] vs 4th 7.9 [7.4-8.7], p = 0.730) was found.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no correlation between long-term blood glucose control and CIMT in individuals with T1D. This finding suggests that the development of early signs of macrovascular atherosclerosis is not strongly affected by the glycemic control in people with T1D.

Screening for Subclinical Atherosclerosis and the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in People with Type 1 Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, which remains the leading cause of death in this population. Despite the improved control of several classic risk factors, particularly better glycaemic control, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality continue to be significantly higher than in the general population. In routine clinical practice, estimating cardiovascular risk (CVR) in people with T1D using scales or equations is often imprecise because much of the evidence comes from pooled samples of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and T1D or from extrapolations of studies performed on people with T2D. Given that T1D onsets at a young age, prolonged exposure to the disease and its consequences (e.g., hyperglycaemia, changes in lipid metabolism or inflammation) have a detrimental impact on cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is critical to have tools that allow for the early identification of those individuals with a higher CVR and thus be able to make the most appropriate management decisions in each case. In this sense, atherosclerosis is the prelude to most cardiovascular events. People with diabetes present pathophysiological alterations that facilitate atherosclerosis development and that may imply a greater vulnerability of atheromatous plaques. Screening for subclinical atherosclerosis using various techniques, mainly imaging, has proven valuable in predicting cardiovascular events. Its use enables the reclassification of CVR and, therefore, an individualised adjustment of therapeutic management. However, the available evidence in people with T1D is scarce. This narrative review provides and updated overview of the main non-invasive tests for detecting atherosclerosis plaques and their association with CVD in people with T1D.

Data-based modeling for hypoglycemia prediction: Importance, trends, and implications for clinical practice

Background and objective

Hypoglycemia is a key barrier to achieving optimal glycemic control in people with diabetes, which has been proven to cause a set of deleterious outcomes, such as impaired cognition, increased cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Hypoglycemia prediction has come to play a role in diabetes management as big data analysis and machine learning (ML) approaches have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. As a result, a review is needed to summarize the existing prediction algorithms and models to guide better clinical practice in hypoglycemia prevention.

Materials and methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies published between 1 January 2015 and 8 December 2022. Five hypoglycemia prediction aspects were covered: real-time hypoglycemia, mild and severe hypoglycemia, nocturnal hypoglycemia, inpatient hypoglycemia, and other hypoglycemia (postprandial, exercise-related).

Results

From the 5,042 records retrieved, we included 79 studies in our analysis. Two major categories of prediction models are identified by an overview of the chosen studies: simple or logistic regression models based on clinical data and data-based ML models (continuous glucose monitoring data is most commonly used). Models utilizing clinical data have identified a variety of risk factors that can lead to hypoglycemic events. Data-driven models based on various techniques such as neural networks, autoregressive, ensemble learning, supervised learning, and mathematical formulas have also revealed suggestive features in cases of hypoglycemia prediction.

Conclusion

In this study, we looked deep into the currently established hypoglycemia prediction models and identified hypoglycemia risk factors from various perspectives, which may provide readers with a better understanding of future trends in this topic.

A High Triglyceride-Glucose Index Value Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Carotid Plaque Burden in Subjects With Prediabetes and New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-World Study

Background

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as a convincing indicator of insulin resistance and has been found to be associated with atherosclerosis among diabetic patients. However, the relationship between the TyG index and arteriosclerosis in subjects with prediabetes and new-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of carotid plaque burden in patients with prediabetes and new-onset T2D and to investigate the association between the TyG index and the degree of carotid plaque burden in this population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional observational study that included 716 subjects aged 40–70 years old with prediabetes or new-onset T2D. Demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements were collected. Participants underwent carotid arteriosclerosis evaluation by ultrasonography, and the degree of atherosclerosis was evaluated according to the carotid plaque burden. The TyG index was calculated.

Results

The population was stratified into high or low TyG index groups according to the median TyG index value. Higher values were associated with a higher BMI and waist circumference as well as higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting C-peptide, and C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.001). The high TyG index group had a higher atherosclerotic plaque burden than the low TyG index group (P < 0.001). Multiclassification logistic regression analysis showed that the TyG index was positively associated with a high plaque burden [odds ratio (OR): 16.706, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.988–69.978, P = 0.000], while no association was found between the TyG index and a low/moderate plaque burden. This association remained consistent in the subgroup analysis. In multiple linear regression analysis, sex, age, and the TyG index were found to be independently associated with carotid plaque burden. For each unit increase in the TyG index, the risk of a high carotid plaque burden increased 1.595-fold.

Conclusion

A high TyG index was positively associated with a high carotid plaque burden in subjects with prediabetes and new-onset T2D. Clinicians should pay close attention to the TyG index to help these patients receive the greatest benefit from early intervention.

Traditional Risk Factors are Causally Related to Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression: Inferences from Observational Cohort Studies and Interventional Trials

In the present review, associations between traditional vascular risk factors (VRFs) and carotid intimamedial thickness progression (C-IMTp) as well as the effects of therapies for VRFs control on C-IMTp were appraised to infer causality between each VRF and C-IMTp. Cohort studies indicate that smoking, binge drinking, fatness, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are associated with accelerated C-IMTp. An exception is physical activity, with mixed data. Interventions for the control of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia decelerate C-IMTp. Conversely, scarce information is available regarding the effect of smoking cessation, stop of excessive alcohol intake and management of the metabolic syndrome. Altogether, these data support a causative role of several traditional VRFs on C-IMTp. Shortcomings in study design and/or ultrasonographic protocols may account for most negative studies, which underlines the importance of careful consideration of methodological aspects in investigations using C-IMTp as the outcome.

Determinants of carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic elders: a population-based cross-sectional study in rural China

Objective: To examine the mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and potentially relevant determinants of increased CIMT in elders. Method: Stroke-free and cardiovascular disease-free residents aged ≥65 years were recruited in a low-income population in China. B-mode ultrasonography was performed to measure CIMT. Results: A total of 1039 individuals (47.9% men) were recruited. The mean CIMT value was 0.60 (SD: 0.09) mm. The mean CIMT was 24.07 (SEM: 6.52) µm greater in men than in women (P < 0.001) and 28.29 (SEM: 7.47) µm greater in patients with hypertension than in those without hypertension (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean CIMT increased by 1.53 (SEM: 0.49) µm for each 1-year increase in age (P = 0.002). However, the mean CIMT decreased by 5.55 (SEM: 2.40) μm and 6.45 (SEM: 2.62) μm for every 1-mmol/L increase in triglyceride concentration and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, respectively (P < 0.05). However, high triglyceride level was negatively associated with mean CIMT only among individuals without metabolic syndrome (P = 0.036). Discussion: These findings suggest that there is an urgent need to delay atherosclerosis progression and reduce the stroke burden by managing hypertension, especially for men. Moreover, to decrease the stroke burden in rural China, caution is advised regarding lipid-lowering treatment in elderly patients without metabolic syndrome.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Cardiovascular Risk Onset in Children and Adolescents

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising among children and adolescents worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. We review the impact of diabetes on establishing, during childhood and adolescence, the premises for cardiovascular diseases later in life. Interestingly, it seems that hyperglycemia is not the only factor that establishes an increased cardiovascular risk in adolescence. Other factors have been recognized to play a role in triggering the onset of latent cardiovascular diseases in the pediatric population. Among these cardiovascular risk factors, some are modifiable: glucose variability, hypoglycemia, obesity, insulin resistance, waist circumference, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking alcohol, microalbuminuria and smoking. Others are unmodifiable, such as diabetes duration and family history. Among the etiological factors, subclinical endothelial dysfunction represents one of the earliest key players of atherosclerosis and it can be detected during early ages in patients with diabetes. A better assessment of cardiovascular risk in pediatric population still represents a challenge for clinicians, and thus further efforts are required to properly identify and treat pediatric patients who may suffer from cardiovascular disease later in early adulthood.

Subclinical macroangiopathic target organ damage in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients

PURPOSE

We have summarized key studies regarding the assessment of subclinical macroangiopathic target organ damage (TOD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

RESULTS

Although chronic complications resulting from hyperglycemia, in particular macroangiopathies, are still the first cause of death in T1DM, there has been growing recognition of the role of hypoglycemia in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Subclinical TOD diagnosis ensures early implementation of the complex management aiming at either partial reversal of these complications or at least its downturn. To better identify patients with early TODs, several non-invasive diagnostic techniques are employed, including the ultrasonographic assessment of the intima-media thickness (IMT), computed tomography (CT) for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement for arterial stiffness evaluation. Various studies reported that T1DM patients present an increased IMT. An increasing IMT fairly correlates with the cardiovascular (CV) events risk even after the adjustment to age, diabetes duration, quality of glucose control as well as the presence of hypertension, and chronic complications. Another, well established marker of the organ damage - CAC score is recommended by ACC/AHA guidelines to assess the overall CV risk in T1DM. Also, the arterial stiffness evaluation with PWV may further improve CV risk prediction, which has been reported in multiple studies including the Framingham Heart Study.

CONCLUSIONS

There is shortage of data from prospective studies which could confirm the benefits of early treatment initiation based on the presence of the subclinical organ damage in T1DM. Most evidence comes from T2DM trials, where effective preventive measures were identified i.e.: smoking cessation, reasonable blood glucose control, efficacious hypertension treatment, and dyslipidemia management, as well as renoprotection. There is still a field for further research to see if routine assessment of asymptomatic vascular damage and early implementation of aggressive treatment would reduce mortality excess from CVD in T1DM.

RISK FACTORS FOR HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN TYPE 1 DIABETES

Objective: Studies have demonstrated that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a significant predictor of hearing impairment in type 1 diabetes. We identified additional factors associated with hearing impairment in participants with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and its observational follow-up, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study. Methods: A total of 1,150 DCCT/EDIC participants were recruited for the Hearing Study. A medical history, physical measurements, and a self-administered hearing questionnaire were obtained. Audiometry was performed by study-certified personnel and assessed centrally. Logistic regression models assessed the association of risk factors and comorbidities with speech- and high-frequency hearing impairment. Results: Mean age was 55 ± 7 years, duration of diabetes 34 ± 5 years, and DCCT/EDIC HbA1c 7.9 ± 0.9% (63 mmol/mol). In multivariable models, higher odds of speech-frequency impairment were significantly associated with older age, higher HbA1c, history of noise exposure, male sex, and higher triglycerides. Higher odds of high-frequency impairment were associated with older age, male sex, history of noise exposure, higher skin intrinsic florescence (SIF) as a marker of tissue glycation, higher HbA1c, nonprofessional/nontechnical occupations, sedentary activity, and lower low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Among participants who previously completed computed tomography and carotid ultrasonography, coronary artery calcification (CAC) >0 and carotid intima-medial thickness were significantly associated with high-but not speech-frequency impairment. Conclusion: Consistent with previous reports, male sex, age, several metabolic factors, and noise exposure are independently associated with hearing impairment. The association with SIF further emphasizes the importance of glycemia-as a modifiable risk factor-over time. In addition, the macrovascular contribution of CAC is novel and important. Abbreviations: AER = albumin excretion rate; CAC = coronary artery calcification; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DCCT/EDIC = Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; ETDRS = Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; IMT = intima-media thickness; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; OR = odds ratio; SIF = skin intrinsic fluorescence; T1D = type 1 diabetes.

Serum apolipoproteins and apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein subclasses: a hypothesis-generating prospective study of cardiovascular events in T1D

APOB, APOC3, and APOE and apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein subclasses (ADLSs; based on qualitative apolipoprotein complement) have been associated with dyslipidemia and CVD. Our main objective was to define associations of serum apolipoproteins and ADLSs with "any CVD" and "major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events" (MACEs) in a prospective study of T1D. Serum apolipoproteins and ADLSs (14 biomarkers in total) were measured in sera (obtained between 1997 and 2000) from a subset (n = 465) of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications cohort. Prospective associations of "any CVD" (myocardial infarction, stroke, confirmed angina, silent myocardial infarction, revascularization, or congestive heart failure) and MACEs (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke), over 5,943 and 6,180 patient-years follow-up, respectively, were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models that were unadjusted and adjusted for risk factors. During 15 years of follow-up, 50 "any CVD" events and 24 MACEs occurred. Nominally significant positive univariate associations with "any CVD" were APOB, APOC3 and its subfractions [heparin precipitate, heparin-soluble (HS)], and ADLS-defined Lp-B. In adjusted analyses, APOC3-HS remained nominally significant. Nominally significant positive univariate associations with MACEs were APOC3 and its subfractions and Lp-B:C; those with total APOC3 and APOC3-HS persisted in adjusted analyses. However, these associations did not reach significance after adjusting for multiple testing. There were no significant associations of APOA1, APOA2, APOE, or other ADLSs with either "any CVD" or MACEs. These hypothesis-generating data suggest that total serum APOC3 and APOC3 in HDL are potentially important predictive biomarkers for any CVD and MACEs in adults with T1D.

Subclinical vascular disease in patients with diabetes is associated with insulin resistance

Patients with diabetes experience increased cardiovascular risk that is not fully explained by deficient glycemic control or traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking and hypercholesterolemia. Asymptomatic patients with diabetes show structural and functional vascular damage that includes impaired vasodilation, arterial stiffness, increased intima-media thickness and calcification of the arterial wall. Subclinical vascular injury associated with diabetes predicts subsequent manifestations of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke. Noninvasive detection of subclinical vascular disease is commonly used to estimate cardiovascular risk associated to diabetes. Longitudinal studies in normotensive subjects show that arterial stiffness at baseline is associated with a greater risk for future hypertension independently of established risk factors. In patients with type 2 diabetes, vascular disease begins to develop during the latent phase of insulin resistance, long before the clinical diagnosis of diabetes. In contrast, patients with type 1 diabetes do not manifest vascular injury when they are first diagnosed due to insulin deficiency, as they lack the preceding period of insulin resistance. These findings suggest that insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of early vascular disease associated with diabetes. Cross-sectional and prospective studies confirm that insulin resistance is associated with subclinical vascular injury in patients with diabetes, independently of standard cardiovascular risk factors. Asymptomatic vascular disease associated with diabetes begins to occur early in life having been documented in children and adolescents. Insulin resistance should be considered a therapeutic target in order to prevent the vascular complications associated with diabetes.

Association of Insulin Dose, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 Diabetes During 30 Years of Follow-up in the DCCT/EDIC Study

OBJECTIVE

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study demonstrated the beneficial effects of intensive therapy on atherosclerosis and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The current analyses evaluated the relationship between longitudinal changes in insulin dose and CVD risk factors and outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,441 participants were randomly assigned to intensive or conventional diabetes therapy during the DCCT. After an average of 6.5 years of follow-up, 96% of the surviving cohort enrolled in the EDIC observational study, which included annual visits with detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. CVD events were adjudicated by a review committee. Generalized linear mixed models and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between insulin dose and cardiometabolic risk factors and CVD risk, respectively, over a total of 30 years.

RESULTS

Higher insulin doses were significantly associated with a less favorable cardiometabolic risk profile (higher BMI, pulse rate, and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol) with the exception of lower diastolic blood pressure and lower LDL cholesterol. In a minimally adjusted model, a 0.1 unit/kg body wt/day increase in insulin dose was associated with a 6% increased risk of any CVD (95% CI 3, 9). However, the association with insulin dose was no longer significant after adjustment for other CVD risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

During DCCT/EDIC, higher insulin doses were associated with adverse trends in several cardiometabolic risk factors, even after multivariable adjustment, but not with incident CVD outcomes.

The early detection of atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes: why, how and what to do about it

The major cause of morbidity and often premature mortality in people with type I diabetes (T1D) is cardiovascular disease owing to accelerated atherosclerosis. We review publications relating to the rationale behind, and clinical tests for, detecting and treating early atherosclerosis in people with T1D. Currently available tools for atherosclerosis assessment include risk equations using vascular risk factors, arterial intima-media thickness, the ankle-brachial index, coronary artery calcification and angiography, and for more advanced lesions, intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. Evolving research tools include risk equations incorporating novel clinical, biochemical and molecular tests; vascular MRI and molecular imaging. As yet there is little information available to quantify early atherosclerosis. With better means to control the vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and glycaemic control, and emerging therapies to control novel risk factors, further epidemiologic and clinical trials are merited to facilitate the translation into clinical practice of robust means to detect, monitor and treat early atherosclerosis in those with T1D.

Insulin resistance is a cardiovascular risk factor in humans

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder associated to elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that is not explained by hyperglycemia or traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking or hypercholesterolemia. Intensive glycemic control with insulin that achieves near-normal glycemia does not reduce significantly macrovascular complications compared with conventional glycemic control. Cardiovascular disease continues to develop in patients with diabetes despite adequate glycemic control. In contrast, intensive control with metformin (leading to insulin resistance improvement) reduces diabetes complications, including cardiovascular events, suggesting that enhancement of insulin sensitivity rather than plasma glucose level has a major role improving diabetes outcomes. Accordingly, insulin resistance estimated by glucose tolerance tests is better predictor of future cardiovascular events than fasting glucose level in nondiabetic individuals. Insulin resistance precedes for decades the clinical onset of type 2 diabetes and deteriorates metabolic control of type 1 diabetes. Numerous investigations including cross-sectional and prospective studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews provide compelling evidence that insulin resistance by itself is a cardiovascular risk factor in a variety of population groups, including the general population and patients with diabetes. Several estimations of insulin resistance have been consistently associated with elevated rate of cardiovascular events independently of other cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes status. The clinical expression of insulin resistance (the metabolic syndrome or any of its components including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and dyslipemia) has been related to cardiovascular disease as well. An estimation conducted by the Archimedes model confirms that insulin resistance is the most important single cause of coronary artery disease.

Assessment of biomarkers of inflammation and premature atherosclerosis in adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus

Background Type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) causes endothelial dysfunction and early atherosclerosis, which can result in premature coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of glycemic control, vascular oxidative stress and inflammation on vascular health in adolescents with T1DM. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in adolescents with age- and sex-matched T1DM who were ≥12 years and were at least 2 years post-diagnosis. Recruitment was balanced to include individuals with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≤8.5% (n=27) or with HbA1c ≥9.5% (n=25). Biomarkers of inflammation were measured in the blood including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, fibrinogen and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) were assessed. Results Plasma E-selectin level was significantly different between the two groups with higher levels in the group with HbA1c ≥9.5% (65.0±27.7 ng/mL vs. 48.8±21.5 ng/mL, p=0.02). Though cIMT and PAT were not significantly different between the groups, Pearson correlation showed a significant direct relationship between rising HbA1c and mean right cIMT (p=0.02; r=0.37), PAT (p=0.03, r=0.31) and fibrinogen (p=0.03, r=0.03). Conclusions Elevated E-selectin level is an early marker of oxidative stress in T1DM patients with an elevated HbA1c level. Suboptimal glycemic control as evidenced by a rising HbA1c causes early atherosclerosis.

Insulin and glucose-lowering agents for treating people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is the commonest cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both conditions commonly co-exist. Glucometabolic changes and concurrent dialysis in diabetes and CKD make glucose-lowering challenging, increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. Glucose-lowering agents have been mainly studied in people with near-normal kidney function. It is important to characterise existing knowledge of glucose-lowering agents in CKD to guide treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the efficacy and safety of insulin and other pharmacological interventions for lowering glucose levels in people with diabetes and CKD.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 12 February 2018 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs looking at head-to-head comparisons of active regimens of glucose-lowering therapy or active regimen compared with placebo/standard care in people with diabetes and CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) were eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias, and quality of data and performed data extraction. Continuous outcomes were expressed as post-treatment mean differences (MD). Adverse events were expressed as post-treatment absolute risk differences (RD). Dichotomous clinical outcomes were presented as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-four studies (128 records, 13,036 participants) were included. Nine studies compared sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to placebo; 13 studies compared dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors to placebo; 2 studies compared glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists to placebo; 8 studies compared glitazones to no glitazone treatment; 1 study compared glinide to no glinide treatment; and 4 studies compared different types, doses or modes of administration of insulin. In addition, 2 studies compared sitagliptin to glipizide; and 1 study compared each of sitagliptin to insulin, glitazars to pioglitazone, vildagliptin to sitagliptin, linagliptin to voglibose, and albiglutide to sitagliptin. Most studies had a high risk of bias due to funding and attrition bias, and an unclear risk of detection bias.Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors probably reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 1092 participants: MD -0.29%, -0.38 to -0.19 (-3.2 mmol/mol, -4.2 to -2.2); I2 = 0%), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (5 studies, 855 participants: MD -0.48 mmol/L, -0.78 to -0.19; I2 = 0%), systolic blood pressure (BP) (7 studies, 1198 participants: MD -4.68 mmHg, -6.69 to -2.68; I2 = 40%), diastolic BP (6 studies, 1142 participants: MD -1.72 mmHg, -2.77 to -0.66; I2 = 0%), heart failure (3 studies, 2519 participants: RR 0.59, 0.41 to 0.87; I2 = 0%), and hyperkalaemia (4 studies, 2788 participants: RR 0.58, 0.42 to 0.81; I2 = 0%); but probably increase genital infections (7 studies, 3086 participants: RR 2.50, 1.52 to 4.11; I2 = 0%), and creatinine (4 studies, 848 participants: MD 3.82 μmol/L, 1.45 to 6.19; I2 = 16%) (all effects of moderate certainty evidence). SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce weight (5 studies, 1029 participants: MD -1.41 kg, -1.8 to -1.02; I2 = 28%) and albuminuria (MD -8.14 mg/mmol creatinine, -14.51 to -1.77; I2 = 11%; low certainty evidence). SGLT2 inhibitors may have little or no effect on the risk of cardiovascular death, hypoglycaemia, acute kidney injury (AKI), and urinary tract infection (low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether SGLT2 inhibitors have any effect on death, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), hypovolaemia, fractures, diabetic ketoacidosis, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, DPP-4 inhibitors may reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 867 participants: MD -0.62%, -0.85 to -0.39 (-6.8 mmol/mol, -9.3 to -4.3); I2 = 59%) but may have little or no effect on FBG (low certainty evidence). DPP-4 inhibitors probably have little or no effect on cardiovascular death (2 studies, 5897 participants: RR 0.93, 0.77 to 1.11; I2 = 0%) and weight (2 studies, 210 participants: MD 0.16 kg, -0.58 to 0.90; I2 = 29%; moderate certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, DPP-4 inhibitors may have little or no effect on heart failure, upper respiratory tract infections, and liver impairment (low certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, it is uncertain whether DPP-4 inhibitors have any effect on eGFR, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, GLP-1 agonists probably reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 867 participants: MD -0.53%, -1.01 to -0.06 (-5.8 mmol/mol, -11.0 to -0.7); I2 = 41%; moderate certainty evidence) and may reduce weight (low certainty evidence). GLP-1 agonists may have little or no effect on eGFR, hypoglycaemia, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether GLP-1 agonists reduce FBG, increase gastrointestinal symptoms, or affect the risk of pancreatitis (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, it is uncertain whether glitazones have any effect on HbA1c, FBG, death, weight, and risk of hypoglycaemia (very low certainty evidence).Compared to glipizide, sitagliptin probably reduces hypoglycaemia (2 studies, 551 participants: RR 0.40, 0.23 to 0.69; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty evidence). Compared to glipizide, sitagliptin may have had little or no effect on HbA1c, FBG, weight, and eGFR (low certainty evidence). Compared to glipizide, it is uncertain if sitagliptin has any effect on death or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty).For types, dosages or modes of administration of insulin and other head-to-head comparisons only individual studies were available so no conclusions could be made.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of glucose-lowering agents in diabetes and CKD is limited. SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists are probably efficacious for glucose-lowering and DPP-4 inhibitors may be efficacious for glucose-lowering. Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors probably reduce BP, heart failure, and hyperkalaemia but increase genital infections, and slightly increase creatinine. The safety profile for GLP-1 agonists is uncertain. No further conclusions could be made for the other classes of glucose-lowering agents including insulin. More high quality studies are required to help guide therapeutic choice for glucose-lowering in diabetes and CKD.

Activated protein C reverses epigenetically sustained p66Shc expression in plaque-associated macrophages in diabetes

Impaired activated protein C (aPC) generation is associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes-associated atherosclerosis is characterized by the hyperglycaemic memory, e.g., failure of disease improvement despite attenuation of hyperglycaemia. Therapies reversing the hyperglycaemic memory are lacking. Here we demonstrate that hyperglycaemia, but not hyperlipidaemia, induces the redox-regulator p66Shc and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages. p66Shc expression, ROS generation, and a pro-atherogenic phenotype are sustained despite restoring normoglycemic conditions. Inhibition of p66Shc abolishes this sustained pro-atherogenic phenotype, identifying p66Shc-dependent ROS in macrophages as a key mechanism conveying the hyperglycaemic memory. The p66Shc-associated hyperglycaemic memory can be reversed by aPC via protease-activated receptor-1 signalling. aPC reverses glucose-induced CpG hypomethylation within the p66Shc promoter by induction of the DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1). Thus, epigenetically sustained p66Shc expression in plaque macrophages drives the hyperglycaemic memory, which-however-can be reversed by aPC. This establishes that reversal of the hyperglycaemic memory in diabetic atherosclerosis is feasible.

Elevated N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, a urinary tubular damage marker, is a significant predictor of carotid artery atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes, independent of albuminuria: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

Recent evidence has shown that renal tubulointerstitial injuries play an important role in diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we evaluated the association between urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (uNAG), an early renal tubular damage marker, and carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 88 patients with T1D. Demographic and laboratory data; urinary indices, including urinary NAG-to-creatinine ratio (uNCR), and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR); and carotid ultrasonography were investigated.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight subjects were divided into three groups based on uNCR tertiles. Subjects belonging to the highest tertile of uNCR had the highest average mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). An elevated uNCR was also significantly correlated with increased average mean and maximum carotid IMT, whereas an elevated uACR was not. Even after adjusting for confounding factors, uNCR continued to be a meaningful predictive marker for increased average mean and maximum IMT. Conversely, the uACR could not predict carotid IMT after adjustment for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of uNAG are significantly associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with T1D independently of albuminuria, a marker of glomerular damage.

Intima-media thickness at different arterial segments in pediatric type 1 diabetes patients and its relationship with advanced glycation end products

BACKGROUND

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at risk for premature atherosclerosis (AS), which has its origin in childhood. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an established surrogate marker for subclinical AS in adults. The first macroscopically detectable AS changes, however, begin in the abdominal aorta. Advanced glycation end products (AGE) predict microvascular complications in diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the sensitivity for early macrovascular changes of brachial, femoral, and aortic IMT compared to conventional carotid IMT in pediatric T1DM patients ; and the relationship of IMT with AGE.

METHODS

Using high-resolution external ultrasound, carotid, brachial, femoral, and aortic IMT were prospectively analyzed in children and adolescents with established T1DM and in controls (Ctrls). AGE were estimated by skin intrinsic fluorescence (SIF). Other established cardiovascular risk factors were excluded.

RESULTS

Seventy-six subjects (T1DM = 38; Ctrls = 38) with a mean age of 13.1 ± 4.0 years (6-19, median 13) qualified for analysis. Carotid, brachial, femoral, and aortic IMT analyses were feasible in 100%, 74%, 84%, and 92% of subjects, respectively. Aortic and femoral IMT were increased in T1DM patients (0.60 ± 0.11 vs 0.52 ± 0.10 mm, P < .001; and 0.41 ± 0.07 vs 0.36 ± 0.07 mm, P < .01, respectively) while carotid and brachial IMT were not. AGE levels were elevated in T1DM patients and correlated with aortic IMT only. The influence of AGE on aIMT did not remain significant after adjusting for T1DM and age in our small population.

CONCLUSION

We found aortic IMT-and to a lesser degree femoral IMT-to be more sensitive than carotid and brachial IMT for detecting early macrovascular changes in pediatric T1DM patients.

Apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein subclasses, serum apolipoproteins, and carotid intima-media thickness in T1D

Circulating apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein subclasses (ADLS) and apolipoproteins predict vascular events in the general and type 2 diabetes populations, but data in T1D are limited. We examined associations of ADLS, serum apolipoproteins, and conventional lipids with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measured contemporaneously and 6 years later in 417 T1D participants [men: n = 269, age 42 ± 6 y (mean ± SD); women: n = 148, age 39 ± 8 y] in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study, the follow-up of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Date were analyzed by multiple linear regression stratified by sex, and adjusted for time-averaged hemoglobin A1C, diabetes duration, hypertension, BMI, albuminuria, DCCT randomization, smoking, statin treatment, and ultrasound devices. In cross-sectional analyses, lipoprotein B (Lp-B), Lp-B:C, Lp-B:E+Lp-B:C:E, Apo-A-II, Apo-B, Apo-C-III-HP (heparin precipitate; i.e., Apo-C-III in Apo-B-containing lipoproteins), and Apo-E were positively associated with common and/or internal carotid IMT in men, but only Apo-C-III (total) was (positively) associated with internal carotid IMT in women. In prospective analyses, Lp-B, Apo-B, and Apo-C-III-HP were positively associated with common and/or internal carotid IMT in men, while Lp-A1:AII and Apo-A1 were inversely associated with internal carotid IMT in women. The only significant prospective association between conventional lipids and IMT was between triacylglycerols and internal carotid IMT in men. ADLS and apolipoprotein concentrations may provide sex-specific biomarkers and suggest mechanisms for IMT in people with T1D.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as Surrogate for and Predictor of CVD

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is a noninvasive measurement of the artery wall thickness, inclusive of atherosclerotic plaque, obtained using ultrasound imaging. In the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study, IMT measurements are used as a surrogate for subclinical cardiovascular disease and as a variable predictive of cardiovascular events. IMT measurements of the common carotid artery are available in more than 99% of the MESA population and are predictive of cardiovascular events. More importantly, IMT and plaque thickness measurements made in the internal carotid artery and carotid bulb are also available in more than 98% of the population and are also strongly predictive of cardiovascular events. This article reviews the techniques used to obtain the MESA IMT values, compares them to those made in other epidemiological studies, and summarizes how they have been used in the MESA study as both surrogates for and predictors of cardiovascular disease.

Clinical outcomes in youth beyond the first year of type 1 diabetes: Results of the Pediatric Diabetes Consortium (PDC) type 1 diabetes new onset (NeOn) study

OBJECTIVE

Current data are limited on the course of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and adolescents through the first few years of diabetes. The Pediatric Diabetes Consortium T1D new onset (NeOn) Study was undertaken to prospectively assess natural history and clinical outcomes in children treated at 7 US diabetes centers from the time of diagnosis. This paper describes clinical outcomes in the T1D NeOn cohort during the first 3 years postdiagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 1048 participants (mean age 9.2 years, 49% female, 65% non-Hispanic White) were enrolled between July 2009 and April 2011. Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (±SD) was 7.2% (55 mmol/mol) at 3 months, followed by a progressive rise to 8.4% (68 mmol/mol) at 36 months postdiagnosis, with only 30% of participants achieving target HbA1c<7.5% (58 mmol/mol). The percentage of participants in partial remission estimated by insulin dose adjusted HbA1c [HbA1c % + (4×insulin dose unit/kg/24 h)] ≤9 sharply declined from 23% at 12 months to 7% at 36 months. The percentage of participants developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was 1% in the first year after diagnosis, increasing to 6% in years 2 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the gradual decline in glycemic control due to waning residual endogenous insulin secretion with increasing duration of T1D in children and adolescents. These data indicate the need to translate recent advances in automated insulin delivery, new insulin analogs, and adjunctive pharmacologic agents into novel treatment strategies to maintain optimal glycemic control even early in the course of T1D.

High glucose increases the formation and pro-oxidative activity of endothelial microparticles

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Individuals with diabetes exhibit increases in circulating endothelial microparticles (eMPs, also referred to as endothelial microvesicles), which are associated with endothelial dysfunction and a heightened risk of cardiovascular complications. We have shown that eMPs are markers and mediators of vascular injury although their role in diabetes is unclear. We hypothesised that the composition and biological activity of eMPs are altered in response to high glucose exposure. We assessed the effects of high glucose on eMP formation, composition and signalling in cultured HUVECs.

METHODS

eMPs were isolated from the media of HUVECs cultured under conditions of normal glucose (eMP^NG), high glucose (eMP^HG) or osmotic control of L-glucose (eMP^LG). eMP size, concentration and surface charge were assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow cytometry. eMP protein composition was assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and eMP-mediated effects on coagulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and vessel function were assessed.

RESULTS

Exposure of HUVECs to high glucose for 24 h caused a threefold increase in eMP formation, increased mean particle size (269 ± 18 nm vs 226 ± 11 nm) and decreased surface charge. Compared with eMP^NG or eMP^LG, eMP^HG possessed approximately threefold greater pro-coagulant activity, stimulated HUVEC ROS production to a greater extent (~250% of eMP^NG) and were more potent inhibitors of endothelial-dependent relaxation. Proteomic analysis of eMPs identified 1212 independent proteins of which 68 were exclusively found in eMP^HG. Gene ontology analysis revealed that eMP^HG-exclusive proteins were associated with signalling pathways related to blood coagulation, cell signalling and immune cell activation.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our results indicate that elevated glucose is a potent stimulus for eMP formation that also alters their molecular composition leading to increased bioactivity. Such effects may contribute to progressive endothelial injury and subsequent cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of metformin in patients with type 1 diabetes (REMOVAL): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Metformin might reduce insulin requirement and improve glycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes, but whether it has cardiovascular benefits is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether metformin treatment (added to titrated insulin therapy) reduced atherosclerosis, as measured by progression of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), in adults with type 1 diabetes at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

REMOVAL was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial undertaken at 23 hospital diabetes clinics in five countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK). Adults aged 40 years and older with type 1 diabetes of at least 5 years' duration and at least three of ten specific cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned (via an interactive voice response system) to oral metformin 1000 mg twice daily or placebo. Participants and site staff were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was averaged mean far-wall cIMT, quantified annually for 3 years, analysed in a modified intention-to-treat population (all randomly assigned participants with post-randomisation data available for the outcome of interest at any given timepoint, irrespective of subsequent adherence or study participation), using repeated measures regression. Secondary outcomes were HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), incident microalbuminuria (not reported), incident retinopathy, bodyweight, insulin dose, and endothelial function, also analysed in all participants with post-randomisation data available for the outcome of interest at any given timepoint. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01483560.

FINDINGS

Between Dec 14, 2011, and June 24, 2014, 493 participants entered a 3 month run-in to optimise risk factor and glycaemic control (single-blind placebo in the final month). Of 428 randomly assigned patients, 219 were allocated to metformin and 209 to placebo. Progression of mean cIMT was not significantly reduced with metformin (-0·005 mm per year, 95% CI -0·012 to 0·002; p=0·1664), although maximal cIMT (a prespecified tertiary outcome) was significantly reduced (-0·013 mm per year, -0·024 to -0·003; p=0·0093). HbA1c (mean 8·1% [SD 0·9] for metformin and 8·0% [0·8] for placebo at baseline) was reduced on average over 3 years by metformin (-0·13%, 95% CI -0·22 to -0·037; p=0·0060), but this was accounted for by a reduction at the 3-month timepoint (-0·24%, -0·34 to -0·13; p<0·0001) that was not sustained thereafter (p=0·0163 for visit-by-treatment interaction). Bodyweight (-1·17 kg, 95% CI -1·66 to -0·69; p<0·0001) and LDL cholesterol (-0·13 mmol/L, -0·24 to -0·03; p=0·0117) were reduced with metformin over 3 years of treatment, and eGFR was increased (4·0 mL/min per 1·73m2, 2·19 to 5·82; p<0·0001). Insulin requirement was not reduced on average over 3 years (-0·005 units per kg, 95% CI -0·022 to 0·012; p=0·545), but there was a significant visit-by-treatment interaction (p=0·0018). There was no effect on endothelial function as measured by reactive hyperaemia index, or on retinopathy. Discontinuation of treatment in 59 (27%) participants on metformin versus 26 (12%) on placebo (p=0·0002) was mainly due to an excess of gastrointestinal adverse effects, and there was no increase in hypoglycaemia with metformin. Five deaths occurred among patients allocated to metformin and two occurred among those allocated to placebo; none were judged by site principal investigators to be related to study medication.

INTERPRETATION

These data do not support use of metformin to improve glycaemic control in adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes as suggested by current guidelines, but suggest that it might have a wider role in cardiovascular risk management.

FUNDING

JDRF.

Glucose targets for preventing diabetic kidney disease and its progression

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) around the world. Blood pressure lowering and glucose control are used to reduce diabetes-associated disability including kidney failure. However there is a lack of an overall evidence summary of the optimal target range for blood glucose control to prevent kidney failure.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of intensive (HbA1c < 7% or fasting glucose levels < 120 mg/dL versus standard glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7% or fasting glucose levels ≥ 120 mg/dL for preventing the onset and progression of kidney disease among adults with diabetes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register up to 31 March 2017 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies contained in the Specialised Register are identified through search strategies specifically designed for CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE; handsearching conference proceedings; and searching the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials evaluating glucose-lowering interventions in which people (aged 14 year or older) with type 1 or 2 diabetes with and without kidney disease were randomly allocated to tight glucose control or less stringent blood glucose targets.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed studies for eligibility and risks of bias, extracted data and checked the processes for accuracy. Outcomes were mortality, cardiovascular complications, doubling of serum creatinine (SCr), ESKD and proteinuria. Confidence in the evidence was assessing using GRADE. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen studies involving 29,319 people with diabetes were included and 11 studies involving 29,141 people were included in our meta-analyses. Treatment duration was 56.7 months on average (range 6 months to 10 years). Studies included people with a range of kidney function. Incomplete reporting of key methodological details resulted in uncertain risks of bias in many studies. Using GRADE assessment, we had moderate confidence in the effects of glucose lowering strategies on ESKD, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and progressive protein leakage by kidney disease and low or very low confidence in effects of treatment on death related to cardiovascular complications and doubling of serum creatinine (SCr).For the primary outcomes, tight glycaemic control may make little or no difference to doubling of SCr compared with standard control (4 studies, 26,874 participants: RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.11; I2= 73%, low certainty evidence), development of ESKD (4 studies, 23,332 participants: RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.12; I2= 52%; low certainty evidence), all-cause mortality (9 studies, 29,094 participants: RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.13; I2= 50%; moderate certainty evidence), cardiovascular mortality (6 studies, 23,673 participants: RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.92; I2= 85%; low certainty evidence), or sudden death (4 studies, 5913 participants: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.26 to 2.57; I2= 85%; very low certainty evidence). People who received treatment to achieve tighter glycaemic control probably experienced lower risks of non-fatal myocardial infarction (5 studies, 25,596 participants: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.99; I2= 46%, moderate certainty evidence), onset of microalbuminuria (4 studies, 19,846 participants: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.93; I2= 61%, moderate certainty evidence), and progression of microalbuminuria (5 studies, 13,266 participants: RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.93; I2= 75%, moderate certainty evidence). In absolute terms, tight versus standard glucose control treatment in 1,000 adults would lead to between zero and two people avoiding non-fatal myocardial infarction, while seven adults would avoid experiencing new-onset albuminuria and two would avoid worsening albuminuria.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that people who receive intensive glycaemic control for treatment of diabetes had comparable risks of kidney failure, death and major cardiovascular events as people who received less stringent blood glucose control, while experiencing small clinical benefits on the onset and progression of microalbuminuria and myocardial infarction. The adverse effects of glycaemic management are uncertain. Based on absolute treatment effects, the clinical impact of targeting an HbA1c < 7% or blood glucose < 6.6 mmol/L is unclear and the potential harms of this treatment approach are largely unmeasured.

Association between carotid intima-media thickness and fasting blood glucose level: A population-based cross-sectional study among low-income adults in rural China

Aims/Introduction

Carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) is an established predictor of cardiovascular disease and stroke. We aimed to identify the association between CIMT and blood glucose, as well as the risk factors associated with increased CIMT in a low‐income Chinese population.

Materials and Methods

Stroke‐free and cardiovascular disease‐free residents aged ≥45 years were recruited. B‐mode ultrasonography was carried out to measure CIMT.

Results

There were 2,643 participants (71.0%) in the normal group, 549 (14.7%) in the impaired fasting glucose group and 533 (14.3%) in the diabetes mellitus group. The determinants of increased CIMT were older age; male sex; low education; hypertension; smoking; high levels of systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; and low levels of diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, after adjusting for covariates. Age and hypertension were the common risk factors for increased CIMT in all three groups. Furthermore, male sex, smoking and high low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level were positively associated with the mean CIMT in the normal group; high triglycerides levels were negatively associated with the mean CIMT in the impaired fasting glucose group; and alcohol consumption was an independent risk factor for mean CIMT in the diabetes mellitus group. Hypertension was the greatest risk factor for increased CIMT.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that it is crucial to manage and control traditional risk factors in low‐income populations in China in order to decelerate the recent dramatic increase in stroke incidence, and to reduce the burden of stroke.

Role of Vitamin D in Intima Media Thickness in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Increased carotid intima media thickness indicates subclinical atherosclerosis. We evaluated the relation between vitamin D level and intima media thickness in patients with type 1 DM. 93 patients (female/male: 48/45, aged 31.5 ± 11.9 years, A1c 9.48 ± 2.43, vitamin D [15.9 (12.1-19.2)]) with type 1 DM were included into the study. Common carotid artery IMT was measured by real time B mode ultrasonography (MyLab 70 XVG, Esaote SpA, Genoa, Italy). Vitamin D was measured using radioimmunassay. Male and female patients (n = 14, 15%) had similar rates of plaque presence (p = 0.377). IMT was similar according to gender. IMT [0.45 (0.40-0.50)] was positively correlated with age, duration of diabetes, creatinine, LDL/HDL ratio, and ALP. Median IMT was higher in current smokers, patients with retinopathy, and nephropathy, and overweight/obese patients. IMT was not different according to vitamin D status. However calcium level corrected for albumin was in positive correlation with mean IMT (r = 0.221, p = 0.033). We detected high frequency of vitamin D deficiency (78%) defined as less than 20 ng/ml. Vitamin D and diabetes control defined as A1c have no effect on intima media thickness in type 1 DM. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors including age, duration of DM, smoking, and BMI adversely affect intima media thickness.

Glycation and cardiovascular disease in diabetes: A perspective on the concept of metabolic memory

Epidemiological studies have suggested that cumulative diabetic exposure, namely prolonged exposure to chronic hyperglycemia, contributes to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes. The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been known to progress under hyperglycemic conditions. Because AGEs-modified collagens are hardly degraded and remain in diabetic vessels, kidneys and the heart for a long time, even after glycemic control has been achieved, AGEs could become a marker reflecting cumulative diabetic exposure. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence that an interaction between AGEs and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) plays a role in the pathogenesis of CVD. In addition, AGEs induce the expression of RAGE, thus leading to sustained activation of the AGEs-RAGE axis in diabetes. Herein we review the pathological role of the AGEs-RAGE axis in CVD, focusing particularly on the phenomenon of metabolic memory, and discuss the potential clinical usefulness of measuring circulating and tissue levels of AGEs accumulation to evaluate diabetic macrovascular complications.

My Sweetheart Is Broken: Role of Glucose in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Despite overall reductions in heart disease prevalence, the risk of developing heart failure has remained 2-fold greater among people with diabetes. Growing evidence has supported that fluctuations in glucose level and uptake contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) by modifying proteins, DNA, and gene expression. In the case of glucose, clinical studies have shown that increased dietary sugars for healthy individuals or poor glycemic control in diabetic patients further increased CVD risk. Furthermore, even after decades of maintaining tight glycemic control, susceptibility to disease progression can persist following a period of poor glycemic control through a process termed "glycemic memory." In response to chronically elevated glucose levels, a number of studies have identified molecular targets of the glucose-mediated protein posttranslational modification by the addition of an O-linked N-acetylglucosamine to impair contractility, calcium sensitivity, and mitochondrial protein function. Additionally, elevated glucose contributes to dysfunction in coupling glycolysis to glucose oxidation, pentose phosphate pathway, and polyol pathway. Therefore, in the "sweetened" environment associated with hyperglycemia, there are a number of pathways contributing to increased susceptibly to "breaking" the heart of diabetics. In this review we will discuss the unique contribution of glucose to heart disease and recent advances in defining mechanisms of action.

Insights into mortality patterns and causes of death through a process point of view model

Process point of view (POV) models of mortality, such as the Strehler-Mildvan and stochastic vitality models, represent death in terms of the loss of survival capacity through challenges and dissipation. Drawing on hallmarks of aging, we link these concepts to candidate biological mechanisms through a framework that defines death as challenges to vitality where distal factors defined the age-evolution of vitality and proximal factors define the probability distribution of challenges. To illustrate the process POV, we hypothesize that the immune system is a mortality nexus, characterized by two vitality streams: increasing vitality representing immune system development and immunosenescence representing vitality dissipation. Proximal challenges define three mortality partitions: juvenile and adult extrinsic mortalities and intrinsic adult mortality. Model parameters, generated from Swedish mortality data (1751-2010), exhibit biologically meaningful correspondences to economic, health and cause-of-death patterns. The model characterizes the twentieth century epidemiological transition mainly as a reduction in extrinsic mortality resulting from a shift from high magnitude disease challenges on individuals at all vitality levels to low magnitude stress challenges on low vitality individuals. Of secondary importance, intrinsic mortality was described by a gradual reduction in the rate of loss of vitality presumably resulting from reduction in the rate of immunosenescence. Extensions and limitations of a distal/proximal framework for characterizing more explicit causes of death, e.g. the young adult mortality hump or cancer in old age are discussed.

Vascular or chronological age: which is the better marker to estimate the cardiovascular risk in patients with type 1 diabetes?

AIMS

To evaluate whether using vascular age (VA) instead of chronological age (CA) in the Framingham score would enhance the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study comprising 58 T1D patients and 38 control subjects matched by age, gender and body mass index. To estimate the VA, we used carotid intima-media thickness normality estimation tables that took into account age, gender and ethnic group.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, T1D patients had an older VA with an 8.8-year difference (p < 0.001), a higher CVD risk stratification comparing CA and VA (p < 0.001). In the group of T1D patients, there was a 9.4-year difference between VA and CA (p < 0.001), mainly due to a greater increase in women compared to men (11.2 vs 6.4 years, respectively) and 29.3 % of the patients with T1D increased their CVD risk stratification using VA as a parameter. Still, in the group of T1D patients, women had a higher increase in VA for each 1-year increase in CA than men (1.2 years vs 0.8 years, respectively, p < 0.001). This difference persisted as we compared women with T1D with women in the control group (0.4 years), p = 0.006.

CONCLUSIONS

T1D patients have an increased VA, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The use of VA age may contribute to the identification of high CVD risk in T1D. In patients with T1D, a younger chronological age, particularly in women, might not be a protective factor for CVD.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness in Brazilian adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events, and has been reported in children with various chronic diseases, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate CIMT and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilian adolescents with DM1.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 118 adolescents, 57 with DM1 and no chronic complications related to the disease, and 61 healthy individuals. Clinical, biochemical, and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonographic evaluations according to the Consensus Statement of the American Society of Echocardiography CIMT Task Force were performed.

RESULTS

Adolescents with diabetes (66.6% female) were 14.5 ± 2.9 years old and had 9.0 ± 4.0 years of disease duration. The healthy adolescents (62.3% female) were 14.3 ± 2.6 years old. All the adolescents had blood pressure within their reference ranges. In 66% of DM1 adolescents the systolic blood pressure was >50th percentile. Increased CIMT was observed in adolescents with diabetes compared with those in the control group: 0.53 vs 0.51 mm (p < 0.004) on the right side, and 0.55 vs 0.51 mm (p < 0.001) on the left side. CIMT presented independent and positive associations with diabetes duration, total cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and systolic blood pressure percentile in DM1 adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased CIMT was observed in young Brazilian adolescents with DM1, and was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. CIMT assessment may be useful for the early identification and monitoring of cardiovascular risk in this age group.

Albuminuria Changes and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes: The DCCT/EDIC Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In trials of people with type 2 diabetes, albuminuria reduction with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular events and CKD progression. We tested whether progression or remission of microalbuminuria is associated with cardiovascular and renal risk in a well characterized cohort of type 1 diabetes.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We studied 1441 participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study. Albumin excretion rate (AER) was quantified annually or biennially for up to 30 years. For each participant, albuminuria status was defined over time as normoalbuminuria (AER continuously <30 mg/d), sustained microalbuminuria (AER, 30-299 mg/d on two consecutive visits), macroalbuminuria (AER≥300 mg/d), or remitted microalbuminuria (transition from sustained microalbuminuria to AER<30 mg/d on two consecutive visits). We tested associations of time-updated albuminuria status with adjudicated clinical cardiovascular events, the development of reduced GFR (<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 on two consecutive visits), and subclinical cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

At least one cardiovascular event occurred in 184 participants, and 98 participants developed reduced eGFR. Compared with normoalbuminuria, sustained microalbuminuria, remitted microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria were each associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs] and 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]: 1.79 [1.13 to 2.85], 2.62 [1.68 to 4.07], and 2.65 [1.68 to 4.19], respectively) and reduced eGFR (adjusted HRs [95% CIs], 5.26 [2.43 to 11.41], 4.36 [1.80 to 10.57], and 54.35 [30.79 to 95.94], respectively). Compared with sustained microalbuminuria, remission to normoalbuminuria was not associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events (adjusted HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.59) or reduced eGFR (adjusted HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.56 to 5.49). Compared with normoalbuminuria, sustained microalbuminuria, remitted microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria were associated with greater carotid intima-media thickness, and macroalbuminuria was associated with a greater degree of coronary artery calcification.

CONCLUSIONS

In type 1 diabetes, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria are associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and reduced eGFR, but achieving a remission of established microalbuminuria to normoalbuminuria does not appear to improve outcomes.

Hair follicle characteristics as early marker of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) includes a continuum of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia that causes several chronic long-term complications such as coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, nephropathy, and neuropathy. The hair follicle could reveal signs of early vascular impairment, yet its relationship to early metabolic injuries has been largely ignored. We propose that in earlier stages of the continuum of DM2-related metabolic disorders, a group of susceptible patients who do not yet meet the diagnostic criteria to be considered as persons with DM2 may present chronic vascular impairment and end organ damage, including hair follicle damage, which can be evaluated to identify an early risk marker. This hypothesis is based in the association found between insulin resistance and alopecia in non-diabetic persons, and the hair loss on the lower limbs as a manifestation of long-term peripheral arterial disease among subjects with DM2. In order to test this hypothesis, studies are required to evaluate if hair follicle characteristics are related to and can predict hyperglycemic complications, and if they do so, which feature of the hair follicle, such as hair growth, best characterizes such DM2-related conditions. If this hypothesis were proven to be true, significant advances towards a personalized approach for early prevention strategies and management of DM2 would be made. By focusing on the hair follicles, early stages of metabolic-related organ damage could be identified using non-invasive low-cost techniques. In so doing, this approach could provide early identification of DM2-susceptible individuals and lead to the early initiation of adequate primary prevention strategies to reduce or avoid the onset of large internal organ damage.

Coprogression of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 1 Diabetes During 30 Years of Follow-up in the DCCT/EDIC Study

OBJECTIVE

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study has demonstrated the beneficial effect of intensive therapy on atherosclerosis and clinical cardiovascular outcomes, while identifying hyperglycemia as a dominant risk factor for type 1 diabetes. The current analyses evaluate the extent to which glycemic exposure influences long-term changes in established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The DCCT study randomized 1,441 participants to receive intensive or conventional diabetes therapy; and after an average of 6.5 years of follow-up, 96% of the surviving cohort enrolled in the EDIC observational study for an additional 20 years of follow-up. Annual visits included a detailed medical history and physical examination. Blood and urine samples were collected and assayed centrally. Longitudinal models for repeated measurements were used.

RESULTS

Higher HbA1c level was a significant correlate of the longitudinal changes in all of the traditional CVD risk factors over the 30-year follow-up. The strongest longitudinal associations were among the lipid measurements and concurrent glycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of the interrelationships between diabetes-related risk factors and traditional CVD risk factors may assist with the development of targeted treatment regimens for persons with type 1 diabetes who are at risk for CVD.

Do traditional cardiovascular risk factors solely explain intima-media thickening in youth with type 1 diabetes?

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess age-specific carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to investigate associations between cIMT, age, classical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other risk factors.

METHODS

This study included a cross-sectional analysis of cIMT in 178 patients with type 1 diabetes and 208 healthy controls across age categories. In patients, the impact of gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, current and historical body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on cIMT was studied in a retrospective follow-up cohort study.

RESULTS

Median cIMT was equally greater in patients versus controls across all age categories (P≤0.03). Regression models in patients confirmed a lack of association between cIMT and classical CVD risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes showed greater cIMT than controls in all age categories. Increased cIMT did not seem to be consistently associated with classical adult CVD risk factors, adding to the current debate in pediatrics about the impact on classical CVD risk factors to the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes. Future studies are warranted to determine if cIMT could assist in predicting macrovascular complications of type 1 diabetes.

The pecking order of skin Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) as long-term markers of glycemic damage and risk factors for micro- and subclinical macrovascular disease progression in Type 1 diabetes

To date more than 20 glycation products were identified, of which ~15 in the insoluble human skin collagen fraction. The goal of this review is to streamline 30 years of research and ask a set of important questions: in Type 1 diabetes which glycation products correlate best with 1) past mean glycemia 2) reversibility with improved glycemic control, 2) cross-sectional severity of retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy and 3) the future long-term risk of progression of micro- and subclinical macrovascular disease. The trio of glycemia related glycation markers furosine (FUR)/fructose-lysine (FL), glucosepane and methylglyoxal hydroimidazolone (MG-H1) emerges as extraordinarily strong predictors of existing and future microvascular disease progression risk despite adjustment for both past and prospective A1c levels. X(2) values are up to 25.1, p values generally less than 0.0001, and significance remains after adjustment for various factors such as A1c, former treatment group, log albumin excretion rate, abnormal autonomic nerve function and LDL levels at baseline. In contrast, subclinical cardiovascular progression is more weakly correlated with AGEs/glycemia with X(2) values < 5.0 and p values generally < 0.05 after all adjustments. Except for future carotid intima-media thickness, which correlates with total AGE burden (MG-H1, pentosidine, fluorophore LW-1 and decreased collagen solubility), adjusted FUR and Collagen Fluorescence (CLF) are the strongest markers for future coronary artery calcium deposition, while cardiac hypertrophy is associated with LW-1 and CLF adjusted for A1c. We conclude that a robust clinical skin biopsy AGE risk panel for microvascular disease should include at least FUR/FL, glucosepane and MG-H1, while a macrovascular disease risk panel should include at least FL/FUR, MG-H1, LW-1 and CLF.

Lack of evidence for progression of atherosclerosis during puberty in type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Children with type 1 diabetes have early changes in vascular structure with increased aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) or carotid IMT (cIMT). aIMT may be an earlier, more sensitive marker; however, longitudinal data in type 1 diabetes are lacking. This study will aim to evaluate changes in vascular structure (aIMT and cIMT) over 2 yr during puberty in children with type 1 diabetes and compare them with those in healthy children.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 110 children (aged 10-18 yr, 55 males) participated in a prospective cohort study, including 77 children with type 1 diabetes and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Ultrasound assessments of aIMT and cIMT; and clinical and biochemical data were collected at baseline and 2 yr later.

RESULTS

Mean and maximal aIMT or cIMT did not worsen over time in children with type 1 diabetes compared with healthy children. Longer duration of diabetes related to an increase in aIMT. Improvement in HDL cholesterol and leptin related to a decrease in aIMT. Higher baseline IMT related to an improvement in IMT in children with type 1 diabetes (mean and maximal aIMT: β = -0.52, p < 0.001; β = -0.49, p = 0.001, and mean and maximal cIMT: β = -0.36, p = 0.003; β = -0.40, p = 0.001), independent of cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic and carotid IMT does not deteriorate during puberty in children with type 1 diabetes. This has implications for the design of interventional studies in this important age group.

Data on carotid intima-media thickness and lipoprotein subclasses in type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC)

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is associated with increased risk of macrovascular complications. We examined longitudinal associations of serum conventional lipids and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-determined lipoprotein subclasses with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in adults with T1DM (n=455) enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Data on serum lipids and lipoproteins were collected at DCCT baseline (1983-89) and were correlated with common and internal carotid IMT determined by ultrasonography during the observational follow-up of the DCCT, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, at EDIC 'Year 1' (199-1996) and EDIC 'Year 6' (1998-2000). This article contains data on the associations of DCCT baseline lipoprotein profiles (NMR-based VLDL & chylomicrons, IDL/LDL and HDL subclasses and 'conventional' total, LDL-, HDL-, non-HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) with carotid IMT at EDIC Years 1 and 6, stratified by gender. The data are supplemental to our original research article describing detailed associations of DCCT baseline lipids and lipoprotein profiles with EDIC Year 12 carotid IMT (Basu et al. in press) [1].

Nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein subclasses and carotid intima-media thickness in type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidemia has been linked to vascular complications of Type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We investigated the prospective associations of nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein subclass profiles (NMR-LSP) and conventional lipid profiles with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in T1DM.

METHODS

NMR-LSP and conventional lipids were measured in a subset of Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) participants (n = 455) at study entry ('baseline', 1983-89), and were related to carotid IMT determined by ultrasonography during the observational follow-up of the DCCT, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, at EDIC Year 12 (2004-2006). Associations were defined using multiple linear regression stratified by gender, and following adjustment for HbA1c, diabetes duration, body mass index, albuminuria, DCCT randomization group, smoking status, statin use, and ultrasound devices.

RESULTS

In men, significant positive associations were observed between some baseline NMR-subclasses of LDL (total IDL/LDL and large LDL) and common and/or internal carotid IMT, and between conventional total- and LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol and common carotid IMT, at EDIC Year 12; these persisted in adjusted analyses (p < 0.05). Large LDL particles and conventional triglycerides were positively associated with common carotid IMT changes over 12 years (p < 0.05). Inverse associations of mean HDL diameter and large HDL concentrations, and positive associations of small LDL with common and/or internal carotid IMT (all p < 0.05) were found, but did not persist in adjusted analyses. No significant associations were observed in women.

CONCLUSION

NMR-LSP-derived LDL particles, in addition to conventional lipid profiles, may help in identifying men with T1DM at highest risk for vascular disease.

Effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a 12-mo randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

People with diabetes are at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease compared with the general population. To our knowledge, randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictor of cardiovascular disease, have not been conducted in populations with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine whether increasing fruit (+1 serving; 150 g/d), vegetable (+2 servings; 150 g/d), and dairy (+1 serving; 200-250 g/d) intakes slows 12-mo common carotid artery intima media thickness (CCA IMT) progression, compared with a control group continuing to consume their usual diet, in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

A 12-mo randomized controlled trial was conducted. The primary outcome was mean CCA IMT, measured at baseline and 12 mo, with B-mode ultrasound. Participants in the intervention group received counseling from a dietitian at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 9 mo, and compliance was measured with a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline, 3 mo, and 12 mo. The control group continued consuming their usual diet.

RESULTS

In total, 118 participants completed the study. Vegetable (46 g/d; 95% CI: 14, 77 g/d; P < 0.001) and fruit (179 g/d; 95% CI: 119, 239 g/d; P < 0.001) intakes were increased at 3 mo in the intervention group compared with the control group. This increase was not maintained at 12 mo, but intake increased overall in the cohort (fruit, 48 g/d; vegetables, 14 g/d). An increase in dairy consumption was not achieved, but yogurt intake was higher in the intervention group at 3 mo (38 g; 95% CI: 12, 65 g; P < 0.001); this was not maintained at 12 mo. At 12 mo, CCA IMT regressed (mean ± SD: -0.01 ± 0.04 mm; P < 0.001), with a greater effect in the treatment group (mean ± SD: -0.02 ± 0.04 mm compared with -0.004 ± 0.04 mm; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Improving dietary quality in people with well-controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes may slow CCA IMT progression. This trial was registered at https://www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12613000251729.

Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus: Complication of the Disease or of Antihyperglycemic Medications

Cardiovascular disease is the principal complication and the leading cause of death for patients with diabetes (DM). The efficacy of antihyperglycemic treatments on cardiovascular disease risk remains uncertain. Cardiovascular risk factors are affected by antihyperglycemic medications, as are many intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease. Here we summarize the evidence assessing the cardiovascular effects of antihyperglycemic medications with regard to risk factors, intermediate markers of disease, and clinical outcomes.

Comparison of the effects of intensive insulin treatment modalities on cardiovascular biomarkers in type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIM

To evaluate effects of intensive insulin treatment modalities on cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 25 patients with T1DM receiving intensive insulin therapy either in the form of continuous insulin pump (IP group; n=13) or as multiple daily injections (MDI group; n=12) and 13 controls (control group, n=13) were included. Data on demographics, anthropometrics, diabetes history, and laboratory findings including glycemic and lipid parameters, and cardiovascular biomarkers [C-reactive protein (mg/dL), homocysteine (μmol/L), fibrinogen (mg/dL), oxidized LDL (ng/dL), PAI-1 (ng/mL), MCP-1 (pg/mL) and VEGF (pg/mL)] were recorded in each group. Correlation of cardiovascular biomarkers to other parameters was also evaluated in T1DM patients.

RESULTS

Apart from significantly higher mean (SD) values for HbA1c [6.1 (0.3) vs. 5.6 (0.5)% (43 (3) vs. 38 (5) mmol/mol), p<0.05)] and HDL-cholesterol [71.5 (13.6) vs. 58.2 (10.8), p<0.01) in the IP than in the MDI group, no significance difference was noted between insulin treatment modalities as well as between patient and control groups in terms of demographic, anthropometric and laboratory parameters. Negative correlation of MCP-1 to treatment duration (r=-0.615, p=0.025), and HDL-c to CRP (r=-0.685, p=0.010) and VEGF (r=-0.678, p=0.011) was noted in IP group, whereas positive correlation of PAI-1 to diabetes age (r=0.805, p=0.002) and treatment duration was noted in MDI group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings in a cohort of T1DM patients with optimal glycemic control revealed that intensive insulin therapy was not associated with an increase in atherosclerotic markers in T1DM, regardless of whether continuous IP infusion or MDIs was administered.

Symptoms of Eating Disorders and Depression in Emerging Adults with Early-Onset, Long-Duration Type 1 Diabetes and Their Association with Metabolic Control

Background

This study analyzed the prevalence of and association between symptoms of eating disorders and depression in female and male emerging adults with early-onset, long-duration type 1 diabetes and investigated how these symptoms are associated with metabolic control.

Methods

In a nationwide population-based survey, 211 type 1 diabetes patients aged 18-21 years completed standardized questionnaires, including the SCOFF questionnaire for eating disorder symptoms and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for symptoms of depression and severity of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score). Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between eating disorder and depressive symptoms and their associations with HbA1c.

Results

A total of 30.2% of the women and 9.5% of the men were screening positive for eating disorders. The mean PHQ-9 score (standard deviation) was 5.3 (4.4) among women and 3.9 (3.6) among men. Screening positive for an eating disorder was associated with more severe depressive symptoms among women (β_women 3.8, p<0.001). However, neither eating disorder symptoms nor severity of depressive symptoms were associated with HbA1c among women, while HbA1c increased with the severity of depressive symptoms among men (β_men 0.14, p=0.006).

Conclusions

Because of the high prevalence of eating disorder and depressive symptoms, their interrelationship, and their associations with metabolic control, particularly among men, regular mental health screening is recommended for young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Differential Response to High Glucose in Skin Fibroblasts of Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Type 1 Diabetes

CONTEXT

Most epigenetic studies in diabetes compare normal cells in "high glucose" (HG) to cells in "normal glucose" (NG) and cells returned from HG to NG. Here we challenge this approach.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine whether there were differences in gene expression in skin fibroblasts of monozygotic twins (MZT) discordant for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

DESIGN

Skin fibroblasts were grown in NG (5.5 mmol/L) and HG (25 mmol/L) for multiple passages.

SETTING

This study was conducted at the University of Minnesota.

PATIENTS

Patients were nine MZT pairs discordant for T1D.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Gene expression was assessed by mRNA-Seq, using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 instrument. Pathway analysis tested directionally consistent group differences within the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways.

RESULTS

A total of 3308 genes were differentially expressed between NG and HG in T1D MZT vs 889 in non-T1D twins. DNA replication, proteasome, cell cycle, base excision repair, homologous recombination, pyrimidine metabolism, and spliceosome pathways had overrepresented genes with increased expression in T1D twins with P values ranging from 7.21 × 10(-10) to 1.39 × 10(-4). In a companion article, we demonstrate that these pathway changes are related to diabetic nephropathy risk. There were no pathways statistically significant differently expressed in nondiabetic twins in HG vs NG.

CONCLUSIONS

In vivo exposure to diabetes alters cells in a manner that markedly changes their in vitro responses to HG. These results highlight the importance of using cells directly derived from diabetic patients for studies examining the effects of HG in diabetes.

Association of retinopathy and intima media thickness of common carotid artery in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the relationship between retinopathy and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 154 diabetic patients who had a history of diabetic disease were evaluated in two equal groups of 77 patients with and without retinopathy, respectively. CIMT was evaluated in all of the patients.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 59.65 ± 9.37 years. Mean CIMT of all patients was 0.84 ± 0.18. CIMT of patients with retinopathy was significantly greater than patients without retinopathy (P < 0.001). CIMT also correlated with age, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine.

CONCLUSION

CIMT may be used as a simple, available and noninvasive method for screening of macro and microvascular complication of diabetic patients.

Glucosepane and oxidative markers in skin collagen correlate with intima media thickness and arterial stiffness in long-term type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To study intima media thickness (cIMT) and arterial stiffness in type 1 diabetes of long duration, and their associations with the collagen cross-linker glucosepane and inflammatory and oxidative markers.

METHODS

Twenty-seven individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus of 40 years duration from the Oslo Study cohort and 24 age-matched controls were included. cIMT measurements of the carotid artery were performed longitudinally. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) and augmentation pressure (AP) were assessed cross-sectionally. Glucosepane and the oxidative product methionine sulfoxide (MetSO) were determined in skin collagen by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Circulating inflammatory markers were determined by ELISAs.

RESULTS

The diabetes patients had significantly increased cIMT and arterial stiffness compared to controls. Significant correlations were noted for skin glucosepane with cIMT (r=0.41) and PWV (r=0.44). Skin MetSO and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) correlated significantly with AIx and AP. After correcting for age and mean arterial pressure in multiple linear regression analysis, MetSO and MCP-1 were both independently associated with AIx and AP.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest more premature atherosclerosis and arterial pathology in individuals with diabetes compared to age-matched controls. They also suggest an association between the arterial pathology and markers of collagen crosslinking, oxidative damage and inflammation in type 1 diabetes patients of forty years disease duration.

Effect of maternal diabetes on the embryo, fetus, and children: congenital anomalies, genetic and epigenetic changes and developmental outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM; GDM) are significant health concerns because they are associated with an increased rate of malformations and maternal health complications.

METHODS

We reviewed the data that help us to understand the effects of diabetes in pregnancy.

RESULTS

Diabetic embryopathy can affect any developing organ system, but cardiovascular and neural tube defects are among the most frequent anomalies. Other complications include preeclampsia, preterm delivery, fetal growth abnormalities, and perinatal mortality. Neurodevelopmental studies on offspring of mothers with diabetes demonstrated increased rate of Gross and Fine motor abnormalities, of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learning difficulties, and possibly also Autism Spectrum Disorder. The mechanisms underlying the effects of maternal hyperglycemia on the developing fetus may involve increased oxidative stress, hypoxia, apoptosis, and epigenetic changes. Evidence for epigenetic changes are the following: not all progeny are affected and not to the same extent; maternal diet may influence pregnancy outcomes; and maternal diabetes alters embryonic transcriptional profiles and increases the variation between transcriptomic profiles as a result of altered gene regulation. Research in animal models has revealed that maternal hyperglycemia is a teratogen, and has helped uncover potential therapeutic targets which, when blocked, can mitigate or ameliorate the negative effects of diabetes on the developing fetus.

CONCLUSIONS

Tight metabolic control, surveillance, and labor management remain the cornerstone of care for pregnant women with diabetes, but advances in the field indicate that new treatments to protect the mother and baby are not far from becoming clinical realities.