title: Postprandial glucose regulation and diabetic complications.
abstract: Atherosclerotic disease accounts for much of the increased mortality and morbidity associated with type 2 diabetes. Epidemiological studies support the potential of improved glycemic control to reduce cardiovascular complications. An association between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) level and the risk for cardiovascular complications has frequently been reported. Most epidemiological data implicate postprandial hyperglycemia in the development of cardiovascular disease, whereas the link between fasting glycemia and diabetic complications is inconclusive. Moreover, in many studies, postprandial glycemia is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than HbA(1c) level. Postprandial glucose may have a direct toxic effect on the vascular endothelium, mediated by oxidative stress that is independent of other cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperlipidemia. Postprandial hyperglycemia also may exert its effects through its substantial contribution to total glycemic exposure. The present review examines the hypothesis that controlling postprandial glucose level is an important strategy in the prevention of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medicine Experimental and Clinical, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. ceriello@uniuid.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ceriello
authors.forename: Markolf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanefeld
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leiter
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monnier
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tajima
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuomilehto
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D019518:Postprandial Period
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose