Diabetology, Volume 5, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 5 articles

The principal purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as well as the principal associated risk factors, in patients registered in the IDON-PAD database. PAD is a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries in the body’s extremities due to plaque buildup, leading to reduced blood flow and tissue ischemia. While PAD primarily affects the lower extremities, it can lead to symptoms such as intermittent claudication and, in severe cases, ulcers and amputations. Risk factors for PAD are numerous and cumulative, including smoking, age over 50, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The prevalence of PAD increases with age, with rates ranging from 2.5% in those over 50 to 60% in those over 85, varying by ethnicity and study population. Diabetic patients face a higher risk of PAD-related complications and have lower success rates with revascularization procedures. The diagnosis of PAD traditionally relied on physical examination and symptoms, but the Ankle–Brachial Index is now a standard diagnostic tool due to its non-invasive nature and reliability. In Mexico, the prevalence of PAD is estimated at 10%, with significant risk factors being the duration of diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and smoking. Notably, 70% of PAD cases are asymptomatic, emphasizing the importance of proactive screening. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PAD and associated risk factors in diabetic patients aged 40 and above. The prevalence was found to be 11.2%, with high-risk waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, positive Edinburgh questionnaire, and weak pulses as significant predictors. The detection and management of PAD in diabetic patients require a comprehensive approach, including lifestyle modifications and regular screenings. Prevention strategies should focus on controlling risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, PAD is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition in diabetic patients, necessitating proactive screening and comprehensive management to mitigate associated risks and improve patient outcomes. The principal limitation of this study is that, as it uses a cross-sectional methodology and is not an experimental study, although we can establish the prevalence of PAD as well as the associated risk factors, we cannot define causality or determine the hazard ratio for each of these factors. Special thanks to Dr. Leobardo Sauque Reyna and all participants for their contribution to this research. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suffer premature development of cardiovascular disease and commonly require cardiac revascularization using the autologous saphenous vein (SV). Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the principal cell type within the vascular wall and are dysfunctional in T2DM SV-SMCs, yet the mechanisms underpinning this are incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to interrogate differential microRNA (miRNA) expression in SV-SMCs to enhance our understanding of T2DM SV-SMC phenotypic change. miRNA expression in primary human SV-SMCs from T2DM and non-diabetic (ND) donors was determined using an array (n = 6 each of ND and T2DM SV-SMCs). Differentially expressed miRNAs were ranked, and functional annotation of the 30 most differentially expressed miRNAs using DAVID and KEGG analysis revealed pathways related to SMC phenotype, including proliferation, migration, cytokine production and cell signaling. After selecting miRNAs known to be involved in SMC phenotypic regulation, miR-17, miR-29b-2, miR-31, miR-130b and miR-491 were further validated using qRT-PCR (n = 5 each of ND and T2DM SV-SMC), with miR-29b-2 subsequently being removed from further investigation. Potential mRNA targets were identified using mirDIP. Predicted target analysis highlighted likely dysregulation in transcription, epigenetic regulation, cell survival, intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal regulation, all of which are known to be dysfunctional in T2DM SV-SMCs. In conclusion, this paper identified four miRNAs that are dysregulated in T2DM SV-SMCs and are implicated in functional changes in the behavior of these cells. This provides a step forward in our understanding of the molecular and epigenetic regulation of vascular dysfunction in T2DM. Full article

Protein O-GlcNAcylation, a dynamic and reversible glucose-dependent post-translational modification of serine and threonine residues on target proteins, has been proposed to promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration events implicated in vein graft failure (VGF). Therefore, targeting the enzymes (glutamine fructose-6P amidotransferase (GFAT), O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), and O-GlcNAcase (OGA)) that regulate cellular O-GlcNAcylation could offer therapeutic options to reduce neointimal hyperplasia and venous stenosis responsible for VGF. However, it is unclear how type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperglycaemia affect the expression of these enzymes in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells (HSVSMCs), a key cell type involved in the vascular dysfunction responsible for saphenous VGF. Therefore, our aim was to assess whether T2DM and hyperglycaemia affect GFAT, OGT, and OGA expression levels in HSVSMCs in vitro. Expression levels of GFAT, OGT, and OGA were determined in low-passage HSVSMCs from T2DM and non-T2DM patients, and in HSVSMCs treated for 48 h with hyperglycaemic (10 mM and 25 mM) glucose concentrations, by quantitative immunoblotting. Expression levels of OGT, OGA, and GFAT were not significantly different in HSVSMC lysates from T2DM patients versus non-T2DM controls. In addition, treatment with high glucose concentrations (10 mM and 25 mM) had no significant effect on the protein levels of these enzymes in HSVSMC lysates. From our findings, T2DM and hyperglycaemia do not significantly impact the expression levels of the O-GlcNAcylation-regulating enzymes OGT, OGA, and GFAT in HSVSMCs. This study provides a foundation for future studies to assess the role of O-GlcNAcylation on VGF in T2DM. Full article

(1) Background: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with diabetes mellitus in adults and the elderly in Rio Branco, Acre, Western Brazilian Amazon. (2) Methods: The R software version 4.0.5 was used for estimating the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. Multiple analysis was conducted through hierarchical variable selection. (3) Results: 1.095 individuals aged 18 years and older participated in this study, with 6.4% of the respondents showing prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was positively associated with a prior medical diagnosis of obesity (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.67–6.12), dyslipidemia (OR: 4.17; 95% CI: 2.08–8.36), and increasing age (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05–1.09). Conversely, an inverse association was observed with higher education (12 or more years of study; OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07–0.61). (4) Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil, has significantly increased with advancing age. Education, obesity, and dyslipidemia were also identified as factors associated with diabetes mellitus in this population. Awareness campaigns regarding dietary patterns and lifestyle choices may serve as preventive and control measures. Full article

Diabetic foot is a common complication of diabetes that affects quality and prognosis of life for patients and often requires hospitalization. Infection, alone or in association with ischemia, is the main cause of hospital admission and impacts prognosis. The aim of this study is to analyze the costs of diabetic foot lesions and assess factors that influence the economic impact, focusing on infection. We included all people with diabetes with a first visit for diabetic foot during 2018 in our diabetic foot center. Database interrogation identified 422 patients. Diabetic foot treatment required hospitalization for 242 patients (58%), while 180 (42%) were treated in outpatient services. Healing time was different between the two groups: it was 136 ± 124 days (mean ± SD) for outpatients and 194 ± 190 days for patients that require hospitalization (p < 0.001). Costs: Treatment of 422 patients for diabetic foot globally costs 2063 million EUR and the mean cost for patients is 4888 EUR, with hospital stay having a high impact on this, accounting for 88% of the costs. Infection impacts hospitalization duration and ischemia impacts healing time. Ischemia and infection prolonged hospitalization duration and costs. Our work underlines that hospital treatment costs have a high impact on total costs. Full article