High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients

We tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) are associated with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients without insulin treatment. The study group consisted of 17 type 2 diabetic patients with high HSCRP (0.3-1.0 mg/dL; age, 59+/-8 years, mean+/-SD; high HSCRP group). The control group consisted of 18 age-matched type 2 diabetic patients with low HSCRP (<0.3 mg/dL; 59+/-7 years; low HSCRP group). Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, plasma norepinephrine concentration, and cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) labeled with iodine 123 scintigraphic findings. Baroreflex sensitivity was lower in the high HSCRP group than in the low HSCRP group (P<.05). Early and delayed 123I-MIBG myocardial uptake values were lower (P<.05 and P<.005, respectively) and the percent washout rate of 123I-MIBG was higher (P<.01) in the high HSCRP group than in the low HSCRP group. Fasting plasma insulin concentration (P<.01) and the homeostasis model assessment index (P<.01) were higher in the high HSCRP group than in the low HSCRP group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of HSCRP was independently predicted by fasting plasma insulin concentration and myocardial uptake of 123I-MIBG at a delayed phase. Our results suggest that high levels of HSCRP are associated with depressed cardiovascular autonomic function and hyperinsulinemia and that fasting plasma insulin concentration and myocardial uptake of 123I-MIBG at a delayed phase are independent predictors of HSCRP level in our Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

White matter lesions are associated with the results of I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

White matter lesions (WMLs) and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction are associated with high mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This preliminary study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that WML is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without insulin treatment. Based on brain magnetic resonance imaging findings, 55 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were divided into 2 groups: a WML-positive group (59 ± 5 years [mean ± SD], n = 21) and a WML-negative group (58 ± 6 years, n = 34). Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, plasma norepinephrine concentrations, and cardiac ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. Baroreflex sensitivity was lower in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group (P < .01). Early and delayed ¹²³I-MIBG myocardial uptake values were lower (P < .005 and P < .001, respectively) and the percentage washout rate (WR) of ¹²³I-MIBG was higher (P < .0001) in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group. The fasting plasma glucose (P < .005) and insulin concentrations (P < .0001) and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index values (P < .0001) were higher in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that HOMA index and percentage WR of ¹²³I-MIBG were associated with WML patients. Our results suggested that WML was associated with depressed cardiovascular autonomic function and insulin resistance and that HOMA index and the percentage WR of ¹²³I-MIBG were independent associations for WML in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Hypoadiponectinemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus in men is associated with sympathetic overactivity as evaluated by cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy

Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with insulin resistance. However, there is very limited information about the relationship between plasma adiponectin and cardiac autonomic nervous function. We tested the hypothesis that hypoadiponectinemia is associated with cardiac sympathetic overactivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thirty-three male type 2 diabetic patients not on insulin treatment were classified into a hypoadiponectinemia group (plasma adiponectin concentration, <4.0 microg/mL; age, 58.6 +/- 8.6 years [mean +/- SD]; n = 14) and an age-matched normoadiponectinemia group (serum adiponectin concentration, >/=4.0 microg/mL; age, 58.2 +/- 8.1 years; n = 19). In each patient, baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, plasma norepinephrine concentration, and cardiac (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphic findings were assessed. Compared with the normoadiponectinemia group, the hypoadiponectinemia group had a higher body mass index (P < .01), higher plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively), higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values (P < .005), higher plasma triglyceride levels (P < .05), and lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < .05). In the hypoadiponectinemia group, the autonomic function measurements included a lower baroreflex sensitivity (P< .05) and a lower delayed myocardial uptake of (123)I-MIBG (P < .01) with a higher washout rate (P < .05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the plasma adiponectin level was independently associated with HOMA-IR (F = 9.916) and the percent washout rate of (123)I-MIBG (F = 5.985). Our results suggest that in middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypoadiponectinemia is associated with cardiac sympathetic overactivity as determined by (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy.     

Hepatocyte growth factor levels are associated with the results of I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Elevated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction are associated with a high mortality rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that elevated HGF is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus not receiving insulin treatment. The study group consisted of 21 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with high HGF levels (>0.26 ng/mL, 58 ± 5 years old, high-HGF group). The control group consisted of 25 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with normal HGF levels (≤0.26 ng/mL, 58 ± 9 years old, normal-HGF group). Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, plasma norepinephrine concentrations, and cardiac ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. Early and delayed ¹²³I-MIBG myocardial uptake values were lower (P < .005 and P < .01, respectively) and the percentage of washout rate of ¹²³I-MIBG was higher (P < .001) in the high-HGF group than in the normal-HGF group. The fasting plasma insulin concentrations (P < .0001) and the homeostasis model assessment index values (P < .0001) were higher in the high-HGF group than in the normal-HGF group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of HGF was independently predicted by the homeostasis model assessment index values and the myocardial uptake of ¹²³I-MIBG at the delayed phase. Our results demonstrate that high levels of HGF are associated with depressed cardiovascular autonomic function and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetic patients

The present study tested the hypothesis that increased plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are related to cardiac autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 32 consecutive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned to either a high-BNP (>or=18 pg/ml) group (n=12; age 57+/-13 years, mean+/-S.D.) or a normal-BNP (<18 pg/ml) group (n=20; 59+/-10 years). No patient had any overt structural heart disease. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by measurements of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphic findings. BRS was lower (p<0.005) in the high-BNP group than in the normal-BNP group. However, the components of HRV, and the early and delayed myocardial uptake of (123)I-MIBG and percentage washout rate of (123)I-MIBG were not significantly different between the groups. The plasma level of BNP negatively correlated with BRS (r=0.35, p=0.049). These findings suggest that increased plasma BNP levels were related to cardiac reflex parasympathetic dysfunction in our Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.     

Effect of essential hypertension on cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of essential hypertension on cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetic patients. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is common in type 2 diabetic patients and is associated with a high mortality. However, the combined effects of type 2 diabetes and essential hypertension on cardiac autonomic function have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned to a hypertensive diabetic group (n = 15; age: 56 +/- 8 years, mean +/- SD) or an age-matched normotensive diabetic group (n = 18, 56 +/- 6 years). Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), plasma norepinephrine concentration and cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphic findings. RESULTS: Baroreflex sensitivity was lower in the hypertensive diabetic group than it was in the normotensive diabetic group (p < 0.05). The early and delayed myocardial uptake of 123I-MIBG was lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), and the percent washout rate of 123I-MIBG was higher (p < 0.05) in the hypertensive diabetic group. However, the high frequency (HF) power and the ratio of low frequency (LF) power to HF power (LF/HF) of HRV and plasma norepinephrine concentration were not significantly different. The homeostasis model assessment index was higher in the hypertensive diabetic group than it was in the normotensive diabetic group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that essential hypertension acts synergistically with type 2 diabetes to depress cardiac reflex vagal and sympathetic function, and the results also suggest that insulin resistance may play a pathogenic role in these processes.     

Correlations of urinary albumin excretion and atherosclerosis in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients

Microalbuminuria and aortic stiffness are associated with high mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of microalbuminuria correlates with aortic stiffness and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. The study consisted of 36 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria (age: 56+/-9 years, mean+/-S.D.) and a control group of 44 age-matched patients with normoalbuminuria (56+/-7 years). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) was measured by automatic oscillometric method. BaPWV was used as an index of atherosclerosis. The BaPWV was higher in the microalbuminuria group than in the normoalbuminuria group (p<0.005). Fasting plasma glucose (p<0.05) and insulin concentrations (p<0.005), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (p<0.0005), were higher in the microalbuminuria group than in the normoalbuminuria group. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary albumin excretion was independently predicted by BaPWV and HOMA index. Our results indicate that the presence of microalbuminuria in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes is characterized by increased aortic stiffness and insulin resistance, and that the BaPWV, HOMA index are independent predictors of urine albumin excretion.     

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: a Comparative Evaluation of 123I-MIBG Myocardial Scintigraphy and Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability

The correlation between the degree of sympathetic denervation measured through ¹²³I-MIBG Myocardial Scintigraphy and Power Spectral Analysis of consecutive R-R records was investigated in order to evaluate their potential application for the assessment of myocardial autonomic neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study comprised 42 patients with Type 2 diabetes. Low frequency (0.02–0.09 Hz) components of the power spectral density were measured as markers of sympathetic activity. The myocardial uptake of ¹²³I-MIBG was measured by using the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the early and delayed images were recorded. Scoring from 0 to 3 of the ¹²³I-MIBG uptake of various cardiac segments (7) was performed and the total uptake was calculated. The washout rate inthe whole myocardium was determined. The values obtained in the group with diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) without orthostatic hypotension (OH) were significantly lower as compared to those of the (DAN (−)) group in the delayed images. The washout rate of the OH (−) group was also significantly higher than the DAN (−) group. There was significant difference between the images and the washout rate of OH (+) and OH(−) groups. There was a significant correlation between Power Spectral Analysis and SPECT (early, delayed images, and washout rate). Of these, the delayed image showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). Further, the QTc interval showed a significant inverse correlation with the delayed image (r = −0.44, p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that the cardiac ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy could be a useful method for the assessment of the myocardial autonomic neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus.     

Baroreceptor sensitivity is impaired in elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome consists of a collection of cardiovascular risk factors and is considered to increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate whether altered baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), a measure of cardiovascular autonomic control, is related to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. DESIGN AND METHODS: Spontaneously occurring fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate were recorded during 5 min of controlled breathing in a population sample of 1016 subjects aged 70 (the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors study). BRS was calculated through both sequence and frequency domain analysis in 77% of the sample. RESULTS: BRS was reduced in those with metabolic syndrome (n = 172, median 4.3 versus 5.7; P < 0.0001 after correction for heart rate, cardiovascular diagnosis and medication) and was reduced in proportion to the number of fulfilled National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III metabolic syndrome criteria (P < 0.0001). BRS was inversely related to insulin resistance, calculated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index; r = -0.18, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular autonomic imbalance, measured as a reduced BRS, is present in metabolic syndrome and in subjects with insulin resistance. As BRS mainly reflects vagal activity, future prospective studies will address the possibility of vagal impairment in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.     

老年2型糖尿病患者尿白蛋白排泄率与胰岛素抵抗的相关性研究

目的探讨老年2型糖尿病患者不同尿白蛋白分期与胰岛素抵抗的关系,为糖尿病肾病的预防与控制提供有益的参考。方法将152例老年2型糖尿病患者根据24小时尿微量白蛋白,分为正常白蛋白尿、微量白蛋白尿和大量白蛋白尿3组,分别测定体质指数、血压、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、糖化血红蛋白、血脂、血尿酸、24小时尿白蛋白定量等,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)及估算的肾小球滤过率(eGFR)。结果与正常白蛋白尿组比较,微量白蛋白尿组患者的年龄、高血压合并率、HOMA-IR均明显升高,而eGFR明显下降(P<0.05);大量白蛋白尿组患者的高血压合并率、血压、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、总胆固醇、HOMA-IR亦均明显升高,而eGFR明显下降(P<0.05)。与微量白蛋白尿组比较,大量白蛋白尿组患者舒张压、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、总胆固醇均明显增高(P<0.05)。多因素逐步回归分析显示HOMA-IR是影响老年2型糖尿病患者尿白蛋白排泄率的独立危险因素。结论老年2型糖尿病患者尿白蛋白增多与胰岛素抵抗有关。     

Smoking is associated with urinary albumin excretion: an evaluation of premenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Cigarette smoking and an increase in urinary albumin excretion are associated with high mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of a smoking habit correlates with increased urinary albumin excretion in premenopausal Japanese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study consisted of 20 premenopausal Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the current-smokers group (age, 45 +/- 4 years, mean +/- SD). The control group consisted of 35 age-matched never-smoker patients (age, 45 +/- 5 years). Serum triglyceride levels were higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in the current-smokers group than in the never-smokers group (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively). Furthermore, fasting plasma insulin concentrations and the homeostasis model assessment index were higher in the current-smokers group than in the never-smokers group (P < .005 and P < .001, respectively). Urinary albumin excretion also was higher in the current-smokers group than in the never-smokers group (P < .0001). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that urinary albumin excretion is independently associated with current smoking in Japanese premenopausal with type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.87; P < .01). The results of this study show that current smoking is associated with an increased level of urinary albumin excretion, suggesting that smoking was a risk factor in the development of increased urinary albumin excretion in these patients.     

Correlations between homocysteine levels and atherosclerosis in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients

Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) level and aortic stiffness are associated with high mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. We tested the hypothesis that tHcy correlates with aortic stiffness and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. The study consisted of 40 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high tHcy levels (mean age +/- SD, 57 +/- 7 years) and a control group of 45 age-matched patients with normal tHcy levels (mean age +/- SD, 57 +/- 6 years). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) was measured by an automatic oscillometric method. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was used as an index of atherosclerosis. Body mass index values (P < .05), waist circumferences (P < .05), and the waist-to-hip ratios (P < .05) were larger in the high-tHcy group than in the normal-tHcy group. The BaPWV was higher in the high-tHcy group than in the normal-tHcy group (P < .0001). Fasting plasma glucose (P < .005) and insulin concentrations (P < .0001), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (P < .0001) were higher in the high-tHcy group than in the normal-tHcy group. Multiple regression analysis showed that tHcy levels were independently predicted by BaPWV and the HOMA index. In conclusion, our results indicate that the elevated level of tHcy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by increased aortic stiffness and insulin resistance, and that the BaPWV and the HOMA index are independent predictors of tHcy.     

QT dispersion in microalbuminuric Type 1 diabetic patients without myocardial ischemia

Microalbuminuria is associated with an increased risk of cardiac death. We assessed whether urinary albumin excretion is related to abnormalities of the QT interval independently of myocardial ischemia. Thirty-four patients with type 1 diabetes who were free from ischemic heart disease on the basis of normal stress electrocardiography and echocardiography were studied. Maximal QT interval and dispersion were significantly greater in the group with microalbuminuria (n=17) compared to controls (n=17) with normal urinary albumin excretion (394 [26.1] vs. 373.8 [27.8] ms; P=.044 and 62.4 [21.8] vs. 42.7[11.6] arbitrary units; P=.009). Autonomic function was similar between the groups. Urinary albumin excretion correlated positively with QT dispersion (P=.023). These data suggest that in type 1 diabetic patients, QT abnormalities can occur independently of autonomic dysfunction or myocardial ischemia and may be related to the processes which increase urinary albumin leakage.     

Blood pressure and cardiac autonomic nervous system in obese type 2 diabetic patients: effect of metformin administration

BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance and elevated plasma free fatty acids (FFA) levels are involved in the hypertension and cardiac sympathetic overactivity. Metformin improves insulin action and lower plasma FFA concentrations. We investigate the possible effect of metformin on arterial blood pressure (BP) and cardiac sympathetic nervous system. METHODS: One hundred twenty overweight type 2 diabetic patients were treated by placebo (n = 60) + diet or metformin (850 mg twice daily) (n = 60) + diet for 4 months, to evaluate the effect of metformin treatment on the cardiac autonomic nervous system. Insulin resistance was measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index. Heart rate variability (HRV) assessed cardiac sympathovagal balance. RESULTS: Metformin treatment, but not placebo treatment, was associated with a decrease in fasting plasma glucose (P <.05), insulin (P <.05), triglyceride (P <.05), and FFA (P <.03) concentrations and HOMA index (P <.03). Metformin treatment was also associated with a significant improvement in cardiac sympathovagal balance but not in mean arterial BP. Furthermore, in a multivariate analysis, delta change in sympathovagal balance index (LF/HF ratio) were associated with delta change in plasma FFA concentrations and HOMA index independently of gender and delta change in plasma triglyceride and HbA1c concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that metformin treatment might be useful for improving cardiac sympathovagal balance in obese type 2 diabetic patients.     

Correlations of visceral fat accumulation and atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

We tested the hypothesis that increased abdominal visceral fat accumulation (VFA) is associated with insulin resistance and aortic stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus not receiving insulin treatment. The study consisted of 22 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high VFA (> or =100 cm(2); age, 61 +/- 7 years; high VFA group) and a control group of 18 age-matched patients with normal VFA (<100 cm(2); age, 60 +/- 8 years; normal VFA group). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) was measured by automatic oscillometric method. The BaPWV was used as an index of atherosclerosis. The body mass index values (P < .05), waist circumferences (P < .0005), and waist-to-hip ratios (P < .05) were larger in the high VFA group than in the normal VFA group. The BaPWV was higher in the high VFA group than in the normal VFA group (P < .0001). Fasting plasma glucose (P < .05), insulin concentrations (P < .0001), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (P < .001) were higher in the high VFA group than in the normal VFA group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the VFA level was independently predicted by BaPWV and the HOMA index. Our results indicate that the elevation of VFA in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by increased aortic stiffness and insulin resistance and that BaPWV and the HOMA index are independent predictors of VFA.     

高血压和非高血压2型糖尿病患者心率变异性、压力反射敏感性和血压变异性频谱分析鉴定心脏自主神经病变

目的采用心率变异性（HRV）、压力反射敏感性（BRS）和血压变异性（BPV）频谱方法了解高血压和非高血压T2DM患者心血管自主神经病变的诊断价值。方法119例T2DM患者和101例非糖尿病对照者分别分为高血压（HT）和非高血压（NHT）亚组,均进行HRV、BRS和BPV检测。结果DM组中HT和NHT亚组的TV.rri、VLF.rri、LF.rri和HF．rri均显著低于对照组。DM-HT组的Total．brs和HF．brs明显下降,BPV无改变;DM-NHT组的TV．bp和VLF．bp显著增加。结论糖尿病患者（无论有无HT）HRV下降,反映基础状态下心血管自主神经功能张力异常可能不受血压影响;DM合并HT患者BRS降低,提示DM合并HT可使心血管反射调节能力减退;无高血压的DM患者BPV增大,提示DM患者血压调定和稳态早期受损。     

Abnormality of left ventricular sympathetic nervous function assessed by (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND: Cardiac and systemic autonomic nervous function may be impaired in patients with COPD. Few reports, however, have described sympathetic nervous function of the left ventricle (LV) in COPD patients. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the LV sympathetic nervous function in patients with COPD using (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging of the heart. DESIGN: Prospective comparison of (123)I-MIBG imaging results in COPD patients and normal subjects. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients with COPD without manifest right ventricular overload and 7 volunteers without cardiopulmonary disease (control subjects). MEASUREMENTS: (123)I-MIBG imaging results and plasma norepinephrine concentration were compared between the COPD and control groups. In the COPD group, pulmonary function tests were performed and all subjects were interviewed about their symptoms. RESULTS: (123)I-MIBG uptake, assessed as the cardiac to mediastinal activity ratio in the delayed image, was significantly lower in the COPD group than in the control group (p < 0.05). (123)I-MIBG turnover, expressed as the washout rate (WR) of (123)I-MIBG from 15 to 240 min, was significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group (p < 0.01). In the COPD group, patients with dyspnea showed lower cardiac to mediastinal activity ratios and higher WRs compared with patients who had mild dyspnea. The WR correlated negatively with the vital capacity/predicted value ratio, correlated negatively with the maximal voluntary ventilation volume/predicted value ratio, and correlated positively with the residual volume/total lung capacity ratio in the COPD group. The plasma norepinephrine concentration in COPD patients was higher than that in the control subjects. CONCLUSION: Patients with COPD have significant sympathetic nervous impairment of the LV myocardium as a result of generalized sympathetic overactivity.     

Lipid pattern,apolipoproteins A1 and B and lipoprotein (a) in type 1 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria

The plasma lipid changes commonly observed in patients with diabetic nephropathy may play a major role in determining the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Contrasting results have been reported on the patterns of lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic subjects with microalbuminuria. We examined 20 patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes who had a urinary albumin excretion >30 mg/24 h (11 males and 9 females, age range 16–45 years, mean diabetes duration 11.7 years) and 20 type 1 diabetic patients without microalbuminuria matched for sex, age, diabetes duration, daily insulin requirement and degree of metabolic control. In all patients we measured plasma total cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A₁ and B and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. No significant differences were found for any parameter between subjects with a urinary albumin excretion <20 mg/ 24 h and microalbuminuric patients. Moreover in nondiabetic controls the levels of plasma Lp(a) and of the other parameters measured were not significantly different from those of the two diabetic groups. Our results suggest that in type 1 diabetic patients with fairly good glycaemic control microalbuminuria is not associated with significant changes in the lipoprotein pattern.     

Cardiac sympathetic denervation and ongoing myocardial damage for prognosis in early stages of heart failure

BackgroundIodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (¹²³I-MIBG) can assess cardiac sympathetic nervous function. Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) has been used as a marker of ongoing myocardial damage. The prognostic value of combination ¹²³I-MIBG imaging and H-FABP in heart failure is unknown.Methods and ResultsWe prospectively enrolled consecutive 104 patients with heart failure in whom we quantified ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy, simultaneously measured serum H-FABP and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and analyzed clinical outcomes. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that augmented H-FABP level and decreased heart to mediastinum ratio of ¹²³I-MIBG at 240 minutes (delayed H/M ratio), but not BNP, were the independent predictors for cardiac events. The cutoff values for H-FABP and delayed H/M ratio were determined from the receiver operating characteristic curves as 5.2 ng/mL for H-FABP and 1.73 for delayed H/M ratio. The cardiac event rate was markedly higher in patients with both H-FABP and delayed H/M ratio of ¹²³I-MIBG was abnormal. Conversely, no cardiac events occurred in patients with both H-FABP level and delayed H/M ratio were normal.ConclusionH-FABP adds independent prognostic information to delayed H/M ratio of ¹²³I-MIBG imaging, and the combination of these approaches may improve the accuracy of prognostic determination in heart failure.