The post-prandial state in Type 2 diabetes and endothelial dysfunction: effects of insulin aspart.
OBJECTIVE
Recently, much attention has been focused on the possibility that the post-prandial state may be a cardiovascular risk factor in diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the post-prandial state is associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with diabetes and to explore the effect on this aspect of managing post-prandial hyperglycaemia by insulin aspart.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with Type 2 diabetes and 10 normal controls were recruited. In the diabetic patients two different tests were performed in each subject: a standard meal preceded by subcutaneous injection of soluble insulin (0.15 U/kg body weight) or of short-acting insulin aspart (0.15 U/kg body weight). These tests were designed to achieve different levels of post-prandial hyperglycaemia. Controls received a single standard meal test. Immediately before, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after each meal, blood glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acids and flow-mediated vasodilation were measured.


RESULTS
Compared with regular insulin, insulin aspart significantly reduced the area under the curve for post-prandial hyperglycaemia (58.3 +/- 17.6 vs. 68.1 +/- 17.7; P<0.04), and preserved flow-mediated vasodilation, which was decreased in the post-prandial state (39.4 +/- 2.9 vs. 34.1 +/- 2.2; P<0.01). Triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were not differentially affected by the treatment. In normal controls the meal did not affect flow-mediated vasodilation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the post-prandial state is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction in Type 2 diabetic patients and that insulin aspart improved endothelial function.
Department of Pathology and Medicine, Experimental and Clinical, University of Udine, Italy. antonio.ceriello@dpsmc.uniud.it
A
A
Ceriello
A
A
Cavarape
L
L
Martinelli
R
R
Da Ros
G
G
Marra
L
L
Quagliaro
L
L
Piconi
R
R
Assaloni
E
E
Motz
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D005227:Fatty Acids; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides