The effect of DPP-4-protected GLP-1 (7–36) on coronary microvascular function in obese adults

Objective: Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogues have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism behind is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intact GLP-1 (7–36) on coronary microcirculation in overweight adults. Design and methods: A double-blinded randomized cross-over study was performed, with 12 overweight participants. Effects of intact GLP-1 (7-36) infusion were compared with a saline infusion on separate days. A DPP-4 inhibitor was administered to block degradation of intact GLP-1 (7–36) to the GLP-1 metabolite (9–36). Coronary microcirculation was assessed by Doppler coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) before and after 2 h of infusion. Peripheral endothelial function was assessed by flow mediated dilation (FMD) before and after one hour of infusion. Results: CFVR was 3.77 ± 1.25 during GLP-1 infusion and 3.85 ± 1.32 during saline infusion, endothelial function was 16.3 ± 15.5 % during GLP-1 infusion and 7.85 ± 7.76 % during saline infusion. When adjusting for baseline values no significant differences in CFVR (ΔCFVR 0.38 ± 0.92 vs. ΔCFVR 0.71 ± 1.03, p = 0.43) and no difference in peripheral endothelial function (ΔFMD 7.34 ± 11.5 % vs. ΔFMD –1.25 ± 9.23%, p = 0.14) was found. Conclusions: We found no effect of intact GLP-1 (7–36), protected from DPP4 mediated degradation on coronary microcirculation in overweight adults. Keywords: Coronary microcirculation, Coronary flow velocity reserve, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36), GLP-1, flow mediated dilation, Endothelial functio

Anxiety and Depression Are More Prevalent in Patients with Graves' Disease than in Patients with Nodular Goitre

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Graves' disease has been associated with an increased psychiatric morbidity. It is unclarified whether this relates to Graves' disease or chronic disease per se. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with Graves' disease compared to patients with another chronic thyroid disease, nodular goitre, and to investigate determinants of anxiety and depression in Graves' disease. METHODS: 157 cross-sectionally sampled patients with Graves' disease, 17 newly diagnosed, 140 treated, and 251 controls with nodular goitre completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The differences in the mean HADS scores between the groups were analysed using multiple linear regression, controlling for socio-demographic variables. HADS scores were also analysed dichotomized: a score >10 indicating probable ‘anxiety’/probable ‘depression’. Determinants of anxiety and depression symptoms in Graves' disease were examined using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In Graves' disease levels of anxiety (p = 0.008) and depression (p = 0.014) were significantly higher than in controls. The prevalence of depression was 10% in Graves' disease versus 4% in nodular goitre (p = 0.038), anxiety was 18 versus 13% (p = 0.131). Symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.04) and depression (p = 0.01) increased with comorbidity. Anxiety symptoms increased with duration of Graves' disease (p = 0.04). Neither thyroid function nor autoantibody levels were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression symptoms were more severe in Graves' disease than in nodular goitre. Symptoms were positively correlated to comorbidity and duration of Graves' disease but neither to thyroid function nor thyroid autoimmunity