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L Valverde

Publications and source records attributed to L Valverde.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

GLP-1 effect upon the GPI/IPG system in adipocytes and hepatocytes from diabetic rats.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1), proposed as a possible tool for Type 2 diabetes therapy, has insulin-like effects upon glucose metabolism in extrapancreatic tissues, whose plasma membranes contain specific receptors for the peptide, being those, at least in liver and muscle, not associated to the adenylate cyclase/cAMP system. GLP-1, as insulin, modulates the content of glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs)--precursors of inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs), considered mediators of insulin action--in several extrapancreatic cell lines and in normal rat hepatocytes and adipocytes. In the present paper, we document that in a streptozotocin-induced Type 2 diabetic rat model, GLP-1, as insulin, provokes a rapid decrease of the [myo-3H-inositol]GPI content in isolated adipocytes--indicative of its hydrolysis and immediate short-lived generation of IPG--as that previously observed in normal animals; in hepatocytes, GLP-1, but not insulin, induced a reduction in the cellular GPI, although delayed in relation to normal rats. In adipocytes from streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetic rats, GLP-1, as insulin, seems to induce a reduction in the cellular GPI content, which was smaller and occurred later than that provoked in the Type 2 diabetic model; in the hepatocytes, GLP-1 and insulin failed to affect the control GPI content at any time tested. In Type 2 diabetic rat, the hepatocyte retains its response capability to GLP-1, but not to insulin, suggesting that the peptide could be bypassing possible defective steps in the insulin signaling pathway in the liver of this diabetic model.

Adipocytes↗

[Risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients with essential hypertension, followed for 25 years].

BACKGROUND: Among hypertensive patients, other risk factors for mortality and morbidity, besides blood pressure, must be considered when therapeutic decisions are done. AIM: To assess the incidence and relevance of cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of patients with essential hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 1,072 treated patients with essential hypertension was followed for a period up to 25 years. Four hundred eighty six were men and 586 were women, age ranged from 31 to 70 years. At entry, 56% of subjects did not have any organic complications associated to hypertension (stage I WHO criteria), 30% had mild alterations (Stage II) and 14% had major complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or renal failure). Likewise, 43.8% had mild, 14.5%, moderate and 41.7%, severe hypertension. Patients were treated with monotherapy or combined therapy based on diuretics, beta blockers, calcium antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Goal of therapy was 140/90 mm Hg. Risk factors associated diseases and complications were registered carefully. Causes of death were obtained from hospital records and death certificates. Mortality was analyzed using life tables (intention to treat method included). RESULTS: Blood pressure dropped significantly during follow up from a mean of 182/110 to 154/92 mm Hg. During follow up, 143 patients died and 429 complications (lethal or non lethal) were recorded. Twenty four percent of patients smoked, 24% reported alcohol intake, 56% had hypercholesterolemia, 11% were obese, 13% had diabetes and 3% had gout. The proportional hazard model showed that the existence of previous complications, the presence of more than 3 risk factors, and age over 60 and mean systolic and diastolic pressure during therapy, were independent and significant risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of risk factors among our hypertensive patients is very similar to that of other national or international cohorts.

Adult↗