Arterial stiffness is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the integrity of endothelial glycocalyx plays a vital role in vascular permeability, inflammation and elasticity. Agonists of Glucagon like peptide - 1 receptors (GLP-1R) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This category includes exenatide and liraglutide. These drugs lower glucose levels by inhibiting the secretion of glucagon, promoting the release of insulin in response to hyperglycemia, slowing gastric emptying, and augmenting satiety. Clinical studies have shown that GLP-1R agonists have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function in both diabetic patients and healthy subjects. The purpose of this study is to investigate in patients with T2DM without coronary artery disease (CAD), patients with T2DM and CAD and obese patients with abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), changes in arterial stiffness, endothelial glycocalyx thickness and coronary reserve flow (CFR) after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
The investigators will study three groups matched for age and sex: 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without coronary artery disease (CAD), 30 patients with T2DM and CAD and 30 obese patients (BMI \>30 Kg/m²) with abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). It will be a randomized study with metformin or GLP-1R agonist treatment for 1 year. All subjects will receive for 1 year: (a) GLP-1R agonist or (b) metformin. At 0, 3, 6 and 12 months, where 0 is the starting point of treatment, blood samples will be collected. At 0, 3, 6 and 12 months the investigators will measure: 1. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/sec) using tonometry by Complior (SP ALAM) and augmentation index (AI, %) by the method of arteriography (Arteriograph, TensioMed) 2. Perfused boundary region (PBR, micrometers) of the sublingual arterial microvessels (ranged from 5-25 micrometers) using Sideview Darkfield imaging (Microscan, Glycocheck). Increased PBR is considered an accurate non invasive index of reduced endothelial glucocalyx thickness. 3. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) in the left anterior descending artery after infusion of adenosine using Doppler echocardiography. 4. Determination of the following parameters in blood: glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, triglycerides, glycerol, C reactive protein (CRP), transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b), Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (LP-LPA2), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukins 6 and 10 (IL6 and IL10), propeptide of type I procollagen (PIP), propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP), matrix metallopeptidases 9 and 2 (MMP), macrophage-colony stimulating factor (MCSF), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and galectin-3.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Stimulation of Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor by liraglutide (Victoza) 1.8mg once daily as a subcutaneous injection
Antidiabetic drug-biguanide class (Glucophage) 1000mg twice daily per os
''Attikon'' University General Hospital
Athens, Attica, Greece
Differences in Pulse Wave Velocity at Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 Months After Treatment With Metformin or Agonist GLP-1R.
Differences in carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/sec) using tonometry at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months
Differences in Augmentation Index at Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 Months After Treatment With Metformin or Agonist GLP-1R.
Differences in augmentation index (AI, %) using oscillometry at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Differences in Coronary Flow Reserve at Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 Months After Treatment With Metformin or Agonist GLP-1R.
Differences in coronary flow reserve (CFR) using Doppler echocardiography at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Differences in Endothelial Glycocalyx Thickness at Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 Months After Treatment With Metformin or Agonist GLP-1R.
Differences in endothelial glycocalyx thickness as assessed by perfused boundary region (PBR, micrometers) of the sublingual arterial microvessels at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R. High PBR values represent reduced glycocalyx thickness.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Endothelial Glycocalyx and Pulse Wave Velocity.
Association of endothelial glycocalyx thickness as assessed by perfused boundary region (PBR, micrometers) of the sublingual arterial microvessels with pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/sec) at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Endothelial Glycocalyx and Coronary Flow Reserve.
Association of endothelial glycocalyx thickness as assessed by perfused boundary region (PBR, micrometers) of the sublingual arterial microvessels with coronary flow reserve (CFR) using Doppler echocardiography at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with metformin or agonist GLP-1R.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
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