European journal of clinical investigation
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2015
Angiotensin II prevents calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells by enhancing magnesium influx.
Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low magnesium levels are associated with VC, and recent in vitro studies confirm a protective role of magnesium, which is mediated by its entry into the VSMCs through the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel. The role of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on VC is still unclear. As Ang II is able to stimulate TRPM7 activity, we hypothesize that it might prevent VC. Thus, the aim of this study was to dissect the direct effect of Ang II on VC. ⋯ As hypothesized, Ang II prevented phosphate-induced calcification in VSMCs, which appears mediated by the increase of magnesium influx and by the activation of the ERK1/2 and the inhibition of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathways.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2015
Meta AnalysisEffect of vitamins C and E on insulin resistance in diabetes: a meta-analysis study.
Data regarding the effect of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are controversial. We aimed to systematically review the current data on this topic. ⋯ The sole intake of VC, VE or their combination with other antioxidants could not improve insulin resistance in diabetes.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2015
ReviewAdipose tissue and metabolic syndrome: too much, too little or neither.
Obesity is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome. Recent research suggests that excess adipose tissue plays an important role in development of the syndrome. On the other hand, persons with a deficiency of adipose tissue (e.g. lipodystrophy) also manifest the metabolic syndrome. ⋯ Another mechanism whereby adipose tissue could worsen the metabolic syndrome is through release of adipokines. This is an intriguing mechanism, but the impact of adipokines on metabolic syndrome risk factors is uncertain. Thus, many potential connections between adipose tissue and metabolic syndrome remain to unravelled.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2015
Tissue Doppler Imaging predicts central sleep apnea in patients with chronic heart failure: data from the Daunia Registry.
Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is used to improve risk stratification in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). So far, few studies have used this method to investigate the characteristics of subjects with CHF and Cheyne-Stokes breathing (CSB). The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate whether TDI assessment may predict the presence of CSB in patients with CHF. ⋯ Tissue Doppler imaging values (A') are associated with the presence of sleep apnea at nocturnal polygraphy.