Association Between Gastric Emptying Time and Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases in Subjects With Diabetes

Maintenance Impact of Large Dose of Vitamin C on Proinflammatory Cytokines, Insulin, and Electrocardiographic Parameters of Wistar Rats Following Partial Pancreatectomy

We investigated serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) in rats undergoing pancreatic wound healing after partial pancreatectomy. In addition, we studied the effects of partial pancreatectomy on the insulin and the electrocardiography (ECG). We proposed that vitamin C (VitC) could have maintenance impact on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, insulin, and ECG parameters of pancreatic wound healing of Wistar rats that had partial pancreatectomy surgery, if administered in large dose. Thirty-five male adult Wistar rats (180-250 g) were randomized into 7 groups, with 5 rats in each group. Group 1 was control. Groups 2, 3, and 4 (phase 1) received oral 1,000 mg/kg VitC, while groups 5, 6, and 7 (phase 2) received only water and feed ad libitum postoperatively for 14 days. One-quarter (¼) pancreatectomy was performed in groups 2 and 5, half (½) pancreatectomy was performed in groups 3 and 6, and three-quarter (¾) pancreatectomy was performed in groups 4 and 7. Significant (P < 0.5) decrease in IL-6 was observed in phase 1 when compared with the control. Significant increase in IL-6 was observed when compared with control. Significant increase in IL-8 was observed in phase 1 (groups 2 and 3) and phase 2 when compared with the control. Significant decrease in TNF-α was observed in phase 1 when compared with the control. Significant decrease in TNF-α was observed in phase 2 (groups 6 and 7) when compared with the control. Insulin level decreased and increased insignificantly in phase 2 and phase 1, respectively, when compared with the control. Although atrial fibrillation was recorded in phase 2 (group 7), normal ECG was seen in the control and phase 1 (group 2). Large dose vitC may be helpful in the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines as well as elevation of insulin and normalization of ECG in rats that had undergone partial pancreatectomy.

Gastrointestinal Mechanisms Underlying the Cardiovascular Effect of Metformin

Metformin, the most widely prescribed drug therapy for type 2 diabetes, has pleiotropic benefits, in addition to its capacity to lower elevated blood glucose levels, including mitigation of cardiovascular risk. The mechanisms underlying the latter remain unclear. Mechanistic studies have, hitherto, focused on the direct effects of metformin on the heart and vasculature. It is now appreciated that effects in the gastrointestinal tract are important to glucose-lowering by metformin. Gastrointestinal actions of metformin also have major implications for cardiovascular function. This review summarizes the gastrointestinal mechanisms underlying the action of metformin and their potential relevance to cardiovascular benefits.