Two-hour postload plasma glucose and pigment epithelium-derived factor levels are markers of coronary artery inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients

Background We have previously found that pioglitazone attenuates inflammation in the left main trunk of coronary artery (LMT), evaluated as target-to-background ratio (TBR) by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. Objectives We assessed which clinical variables could predict the change in TBR in the LMT after 4-month add-on therapy with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs). Methods A total of 38 type 2 diabetic patients with carotid atherosclerosis who had already received OHAs except for pioglitazone was enrolled. At baseline and 4 months after add-on therapy with pioglitazone or glimepiride, all patients underwent 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, blood chemistry analysis, and FDG-PET/CT. Results Fasting plasma glucose, 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-minutes postload plasma glucose, HbA1c, and LMT-TBR values were significantly decreased by add-on therapy, whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and adiponectin levels were increased. Increased serum levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a marker of insulin resistance and non-use of aspirin at baseline could predict the favorable response of LMT-TBR to add-on therapy. Moreover, Δ120-minutes postload plasma glucose and ΔPEDF were independent correlates of ΔLMT-TBR. Conclusions Our present study suggests that 120-minutes postload plasma glucose and PEDF values may be markers and potential therapeutic targets of coronary artery inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00722631. Graphic Abstract New markers for diabetes and CAD is on the horizon! Two-hour postload plasma glucose and pigment epithelium derived factor are markers of coronary artery inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients.