Diabetes Affects How Veins Respond to Pressure
Author Information
Author(s): Kevin M Rice, Devashish H Desai, Sunil K Kakarla, Anjaiah Katta, Deborah L Preston, Paulette Wehner, Eric R Blough
Primary Institution: Marshall University
Hypothesis
Diabetes may be associated with alterations in how veins 'sense' and 'respond' to altered mechanical loading.
Conclusion
Diabetes is associated with significant alteration in the ability of the vena cava to activate MAPK- and apoptosis-related signaling.
Supporting Evidence
- Diabetic rats showed higher expression and activation of certain MAPKs compared to non-diabetic rats.
- Increased pressure led to significant activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in non-diabetic rats but not in diabetic rats.
- The diabetic vena cava exhibited altered responses to mechanical loading compared to non-diabetic controls.
Takeaway
Diabetes changes how veins react to pressure, which might explain why people with diabetes have more problems with vein grafts.
Methodology
The study used ex vivo isolated inferior venae cavae from non-diabetic and diabetic rats to evaluate protein expression and activation under pressure.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small sample size (n = 12/group), which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Young male Zucker rats, both non-diabetic and diabetic.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website