Original Data

Rev Diabet Stud, 2014, 11(2):175-180 DOI 10.1900/RDS.2014.11.175

Microangiopathy is Common in Submucosal Vessels of the Colon in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Agata Sasor1, Bodil Ohlsson2

1Section of Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden
2Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden
Address correspondence to: Bodil Ohlsson, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Inga Marie Nilsson Street 32, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden, e-mail: bodil.ohlsson@med.lu.se

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology behind gastrointestinal dysmotility in diabetes mellitus is unknown. Both esophageal dysmotility and gastroparesis have been shown to be associated with retinopathy, suggesting that microangiopathy is important in the common etiology. The aim of the present study was to examine whether patients with diabetes exhibit microangiopathy in the colon, and if present, to correlate microangiopathy with the clinical picture. METHODS: Consecutive patients subjected to colon surgery were identified in the southernmost districts of Skåne between January 2011 and May 2013. Medical records were scrutinized, and patients with a history of diabetes were noted. Gender, age, type of diabetes, treatment, complications, and other concomitant diseases were registered. Histopathologic re-evaluation of surgical biopsies with morphometric analyses of submucosal vessels in the colon was performed. Morphometric examination and clinical data were compared with non-diabetic patients. RESULTS: Of 1135 identified patients during the time period studied, 95 patients with diabetes were recognized and included. Fifty-three non-diabetic, randomly chosen patients served as controls. The mean age was 71.8 ± 10.2 and 71.4 ± 9.5 years in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, respectively. Microangiopathy was found in 68.4% of diabetic patients and in 7.5% of non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001). The wall-to-lumen ratio was 0.31 (0.23-0.46) in patients with diabetes compared with 0.16 (0.12-0.21) in non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001). No clinical association with microangiopathy could be verified. CONCLUSION: Microangiopathy in the colon is more common in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients. The clinical significance of microangopathy has yet to be clarified.

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Rev Diabet Stud, 2014, 11(2):181-189 DOI 10.1900/RDS.2014.11.181

10-year Incidence of Diabetes and Associated Risk Factors in Greece: the ATTICA study (2002-2012)

Efi Koloverou1, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos1, Christos Pitsavos2, Christina Chrysohoou2, Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou1, Evangelia Pitaraki1, Vassiliki Metaxa2, Christodoulos Stefanadis2, the ATTICA Study Group

1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
2First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
Address correspondence to: Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, e-mail: d.b.panagiotakos@usa.net

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diabetes in the general population is increasing world-wide. The increase is attributed to the consumption of saturated fatty acids, obesity, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, and other factors, but knowledge about the reasons, biological mechanisms, and late complications is insufficient. It is therefore important to clarify the reasons more exactly through long-term clinical trials to stop the rise of diabetes and its complications. AIM: To evaluate the 10-year incidence of type 2 diabetes in apparently healthy Greek adults. METHODS: In 2001-2002, a random sample of 1514 men (18-87 years old) and 1528 women (18-89 years old) was selected to participate in the ATTICA study. During 2011-2012, the 10-year follow-up was performed. Patients diagnosed with diabetes at baseline (n = 210) and those lost at the 10-year follow-up (n = 1347) were excluded, yielding a final sample of 1485 participants. RESULTS: During the period of investigation, diabetes was diagnosed in 191 cases corresponding to a 12.9% incidence (95%CI: 10.4-15.4), with 13.4% (95%CI: 10.8-16) in men and 12.4% (95%CI: 10.1-14.7) in women. A relative increase was observed in the second half of the 10-year follow-up when age became significant. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.09-1.19), abnormal waist-to-height ratio (OR = 3.27, 95%CI: 1.07-10.0), fasting blood glucose (OR per 1 mg/dl = 0.05, 95%CI: 1.02-1.08), energy intake (OR per 500 kcal = 1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.35), and family history of diabetes (OR = 2.8, 95%CI: 1.30-6.03) were the most significant baseline predictors for diabetes, after adjusting for potential confounders. Waist-to-height ratio showed the best explanatory power of all anthropometric variables. Physical activity exerts an effect on risk factors. Being active was found to eliminate the aggravating effect of diabetes family history and fasting blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm the escalating increase of type 2 diabetes incidence in Greece, which is in line with global trends. A lifestyle change in individuals at risk of developing diabetes towards healthier eating and increased physical activity would be an effective and inexpensive means of reducing diabetes.

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Rev Diabet Stud, 2014, 11(2):190-196 DOI 10.1900/RDS.2014.11.190

Effects of Pistachio Nut Supplementation on Blood Glucose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Mahmoud Parham1, Saeide Heidari2, Ashraf Khorramirad2, Mohammad Hozoori3, Fatemeh Hosseinzadeh1, Lida Bakhtyari4, Jamshid Vafaeimanesh1

1Clinical Research Development Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
2Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3Nutritional Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
4Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Address correspondence to: Jamshid Vafaeimanesh, Clinical Research Development Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Shahid Beheshti Boulevard, Qom, Iran, email: j.vafaeemanesh@muq.ac.ir

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic, potentially debilitating, and often fatal disease. Dietary strategies to reduce postprandial glycemia are important in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Nuts are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may reduce hyperglycemia and improve metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of pistachio nut supplementation on glycemic and inflammatory measures in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 48 diabetic patients were equally assigned to groups A and B. Patients in group A received a snack of 25 g pistachio nuts twice a day for 12 weeks and group B received a control meal without nuts. After 12 weeks of intervention, the patients had an 8-week washout. Then the groups were displaced, and group B received the same amount of pistachios for 12 weeks. RESULTS: With respect to the total change in variables over both phases, there was a marked decrease in HbA1c (-0.4%) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations (-16 mg/dl) in the pistachio group compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.001 for both). There was no overall significant change in BMI, blood pressure, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Analysis of the two phases separately showed a decrease in FBG by 14 mg/dl and in HbA1c by 0.45% in the treatment group (A) after 12 weeks, while no significant differences were seen in group B (control group). In the second phase, FBG decreased from 151.36 ± 39.22 to 137.28 ± 28.65 mg/dl (-14 mg/dl) and HbA1c decreased from 7.42 ± 0.97 to 7.15 ± 0.68 mg/dl (-0.28%, p = 0.013 and p = 0.033, respectively) in the pistachio group (B). Pistachio consumption reduced systolic blood pressure (p = 0.007), BMI (p = 0.011), and CRP (p = 0.002) in patients from the treatment groups, but not insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary consumption of pistachio nuts as a snack has beneficial effects on glycemic control, blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation markers in diabetic patients.

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