European journal of clinical investigation
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2009
Visceral fat accumulation is a significant risk factor for white matter lesions in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.
The presence of white matter lesions (WML) is an important prognostic factor for the development of stroke. The elevated visceral fat accumulation (VFA) has been reported to be closely related to the development of atherosclerosis. This preliminary study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that the presence of WML correlates with VFA and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients not receiving insulin treatment. ⋯ The results of this preliminary study indicate that the presence of WML was associated with the high VFA and insulin resistance in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further larger cohort studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2009
Targeting of mTOR is associated with decreased growth and decreased VEGF expression in acute myeloid leukaemia cells.
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has recently been implicated in leukaemic cell growth, tumour-associated angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We examined whether mTOR plays a role as regulator of growth and VEGF-expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Three mTOR-targeting drugs, rapamycin, everolimus (RAD001) and CCI-779, were applied. The effects of these drugs on growth, survival, apoptosis and VEGF expression in primary AML cells and various AML cell lines were examined. ⋯ mTOR-targeting drugs exert antileukaemic effects on AML cells in vitro through multiple actions, including direct inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis and suppression of VEGF. Based on this study and other studies, mTOR can be regarded as a potential drug target in AML.