The Potential of Electrical Stimulation and Smart Textiles for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent diseases in the general population. Electrical stimulation is a treatment modality based on the transmission of electrical pulses into the body that has been widely used for improving wound healing and for managing acute and chronic pain. Here, we discuss recent advancements in electroceuticals and haptic/smart devices for quality of life and present in which patients and how electrical stimulation may prove to be useful for the treatment of diabetes-related complications.

Rivaroxaban compared with low-dose aspirin in individuals with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk: a randomised trial to assess effects on endothelial function, platelet activation and vascular biomarkers.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical inflammation have stimulated coagulation, activated platelets and endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies with the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban in combination with low-dose aspirin demonstrated a significant reduction of major cardiovascular events, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes and proven cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we asked the question of whether treatment with rivaroxaban could influence endothelial function, arterial stiffness and platelet activation. METHODS: We conducted a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, open-label trial in 179 participants with type 2 diabetes (duration 2-20 years), subclinical inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 2-10 mg/l) and at least two traits of the metabolic syndrome to compare the effects of the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily) vs aspirin (100 mg every day) on endothelial function (assessed by forearm occlusion plethysmography), skin blood flow (assessed by laser-Doppler fluxmetry), arterial stiffness (assessed by pulse wave velocity) and serum biomarkers of endothelial function and inflammation. Furthermore, we investigated phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) in platelets, the concentration of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) and the effects of isolated PMPs on HUVEC proliferation in vitro. RESULTS: Rivaroxaban treatment for 20 weeks (n = 89) resulted in a significant improvement of post-ischaemic forearm blood flow (3.6 ± 4.7 vs 1.0 ± 5.2 ml/100 ml, p = 0.004), a numerically increased skin blood flow and reduced soluble P-Selectin plasma level vs aspirin. We did not find significant differences of arterial stiffness or further biomarkers. Neither rivaroxaban nor aspirin influenced VASP phosphorylation of platelets. The number of PMPs increased significantly with both rivaroxaban (365.2 ± 372.1 vs 237.4 ± 157.1 µl-1, p = 0.005) and aspirin (266.0 ± 212.7 vs 201.7 ± 162.7 µl-1, p = 0.021). PMPs of rivaroxaban-treated participants stimulated HUVEC proliferation in vitro compared with aspirin. Rivaroxaban was associated with a higher number of bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our findings indicate that the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban improved endothelial function in participants with type 2 diabetes and subclinical inflammation but also increased the risk of bleeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02164578. FUNDING: The study was supported by a research grant from Bayer Vital AG, Germany.

Intra-individual variability and circadian rhythm of vascular endothelial growth factors in subjects with normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

Increased levels of systemic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in patients with diabetes are associated with increased risk of microvessel disease. On the other hand, low VEGF levels after intravitreal antibody application may be associated with acute cardiovascular complications and treatment failure. Individual levels of systemic VEGF vary in a wide range depending on analytical methods and quality of diabetes control. So far only limited information exists on intraindividual fluctuations over longer periods and circadian rhythms. We analysed the intraindividual variance of VEGF-A, VEGF-C and placental growth factor (PLGF) in CTAD (citrate-theophylline-adenine-dipyridamol) plasma as well as VEGF-A in serum over a period of 6 months in patients with stable controlled type 2 diabetes (10 M, 10 F) and age and sex matched subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Furthermore, circadian levels of VEGFs were controlled hourly from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. under standardized metabolic ward conditions. In addition, the relationship to metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory biomarkers was analyzed. VEGF-A, VEGF-C and PLGF remained stable in plasma and VEGF-A in serum over 6 months in both groups. No circadian change was observed in VEGF-A serum and plasma concentrations. A minor decrease of VEGF-C plasma levels was evident after 5 p.m. in both groups and a significant peak of PLGF concentrations occurred after lunch, which was more pronounced in T2DM. In multivariate analysis, only serum VEGF-A correlated to diabetes duration, whereas VEGF-C only correlated to HbA1c and fasting blood glucose. We did not observe significant intraindividual variances for VEGF-A in serum and VEGF-A, VEGF-C and PLGF in CTAD plasma over a period of 6 months. Taken together, a single morning measurement of systemic VEGF levels after 7:30 am appears to be a reliable parameter for the individual risk associated with abnormal VEGF concentrations in blood. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02325271.

[Registration of drug-associated lesions of the mucosa of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The problem of characterizing the health status of healthy subjects]. / Erfassung von Arzneimittel-assoziierten Schädigungen an der Schleimhaut des oberen Intestinaltraktes. Zum Problem einer Charakterisierung des Gesundheitsstatus gesunder Probanden.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Investigations with regard to toxic effects of drugs on the upper gastrointestinal tract depend on healthy volunteers with normal mucosal conditions. Because of the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection it is mandatory to exclude infected volunteers without abdominal history as early as possible. This study was to compare the power of non-invasive and invasive tests in the selection of volunteers without gastric disease. METHOD: 85 healthy volunteers (age 18-35 years) without abdominal history underwent both gastroduodenoscopy and specific tests for Helicobacter pylori infection (IgA- and IgG-antibodies, ureasetest, culture, HE-staining). In the case of pathological findings, the biopsies were performed without including the subjects into the study with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) (Diclofenac, CAS 15307-86-5). The invasive tests of volunteers, who were selected, were performed at the end of drug period, because biopsies would influence the outcome of a 7-day treatment with diclofenac RESULT: Initially 25/85 volunteers without any history of abdominal disease must be excluded. In 15 subjects there were abnormal concentrations of IgG- and/or IgA- antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. Endoscopically in 10 persons severe lesions were found (6 ulcer and/or erosions and/or reflux disease). In 18 subjects histologically the Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed. At the end of the treatment period in 17/60 volunteers a positive Helicobacter pylori staining was found. Comparing five Helicobacter pylori tests there were no significant correlations between non-invasive and invasive procedures. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic investigation (gastroduodenoscopy) was the only valid method to differentiate between healthy volunteers and subjects with mucosal lesions. With regard to Helicobacter pylori infection neither the non-invasive nor the invasive tests were significantly correlated. Therefore, in investigations on the toxic effect of drugs the infection rate must be determined after treatment to prove the homogeneity of and between the groups. Most important is a subtile endoscopic technique which depends on high resolution video-endoscopes, chromoscopy as well as inter- and intra-observer variation procedures.

[Application of quantifying scoring systems for the determination of changes in the mucosa of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A comparative study of a diclofenac effervescent tablet with conventional diclofenac preparations and acetylsalicylic acid after repeated administration]. / Einsatz quantifizierender Scoring-Systeme zur Ermittlung von Schleimhautveränderungen des oberen Gastrointestinaltraktes. Vergleichende Untersuchung einer Diclofenac-Brausetablette, konventioneller Diclofenac-Zubereitungen sowie von Acetylsalicylsäure nach wiederholter Anwendung.

UNLABELLED: Application of Quantifying Scoring Systems for the Determination of Changes of the Mucosa of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract/A comparative study of a diclofenac effervescent tablet with conventional diclofenac preparations and acetylsalicylic acid after repeated administration. BACKGROUND AND AIM: A new diclofenac effervescent tablet (DIC-BT) was developed in order to circumvent the high variable delay in delivery of the drug in enteric coated tablets of diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5). The gastrointestinal side effects of the effervescent tablet were investigated in comparison to two other galenic principles of DIC preparations (DIC entero coated dragees = DIC-mrD) and dispersible tablets (DIC-DispT) and to acetylic salicylic acid (ASA (CAS 50-78-2). For the assessment of gastrointestinal side effects, two score systems were used simultaneously. The Lanza-scores were compared with our HEU-criteria system (Haemorrhage, Erosion, Ulceration) to find out if the pattern and the localisation of the lesions differ between the drugs tested. METHODS: In a single-blind, randomised, controlled, parallel study design healthy volunteers (27 females, 33 males; mean age 26.9 years, mean b.w. 72.5 kg, Helicobacter pylori antibody negative) were treated by 150 mg/d DIC or 1500 mg ASA (as positive control group) for 7 days. DIC-BT (n = 20 subjects), DIC enteric coated dragees (DIC-mrD) (n = 20), DIC-Dispers tablets (DIC-DispT) (n = 10) and ASA (n = 10) were administered t.i.d. The effects were investigated by videoendoscopy with chromoscopy before and after treatment. Mucosa lesions were assessed according to the Lanza-scores and HEU-criteria system. The results were calculated as pre-post comparison and assessed as paired test between treatment groups. RESULTS: DIC preparations caused mostly erosions and scarcely haemorrhages, but different from ASA only few combined lesions of haemorrhages and lesions in Corpus ventriculi and Bulbus duodeni. The number of mucosal lesions was different with regard to the region (Antrum ventriculi > Corpus ventriculi > Bulbus duodeni). The spreading with Helicobacter pylori (histological assessment at the end of study) varied between 20% and 50% (7/20 subjects in DIC-BT and DIC-msrD, respectively, 5/10 in DIC-dispT group, 2/10 subjects in the ASA group). Based on the HEU-criteria, erosions were seen in 9/20 subjects in DIC-BT, 10/20 subjects in DIC-mrD, 4/10 in DIC-DispT, and 3/10 subjects in ASA group, respectively, the combination of haemorrhages and erosions is seen in 2/20 subjects in DIC-BT, 6/20 in DIC-mrD, 4/10 subjects in DIC-DispT, and in 7/10 subjects in the ASA group, respectively. The difference is significantly between DIC-BT and ASA (p < 0.05) to the sum of all lesions in stomach. Based on Lanza-scores (score values > 2), (a) erosions were seen in 7/20 subjects in DIC-BT, 15/20 subjects in DIC-mrD, 7/10 in DIC-DispT, and 9/10 subjects in ASA group; (b) haemorrhages were seen in 0/20 subjects in DIC-BT, 5/20 subjects in DIC-mrD, 2/10 in DIC-DispT, and 4/10 subjects in ASA group, (c) combined type in 3/20 subjects in DIC-BT, 8/20 subjects in DIC-mrD, 5/10 in DIC-DispT, and 8/10 subjects in ASA group, respectively. Independent of the scoring systems, the difference was significant between DIC-BT and DIC-mrD, as well as between all DIC preparations and ASA. At the end of the study Helicobacter pylori infections were observed by biopsy in 20-50% of volunteers (DIC-BT and DIC-mrD in 7/20 subjects, each, and DIC-DispT in 5/10, and ASA in 2/10 subjects, respectively) and between Dic-BT and ASA (p < 0.05) for all categories. CONCLUSION: Mucosal lesions induced by DIC-BT were significantly less than by DIC-mrD and DIC-DispT. The effect was confirmed by both scoring systems, i.e. Lanza scores and HEU-criteria system. Using the HEU-criteria the pattern and the localization of the lesions could be characterized. There were remarkable differences between the effects of DIC and ASA. The assessment of gastrointestinal side effects using the HEU-criteria was superior to Lanza-scores because there was no bias according to the type of lesion and the type of drug.