Hormonal
DPP-4 inhibitors reduce glycemic variability, which leads to a proportional reduction in carotid intimal media thickness (IMT) and oxidative stress, suggesting a reversible early therapeutic target for CVD risk.
DPP-4 inhibitors (a class of diabetes medication) have been shown to reduce daily glucose fluctuations. This reduction in variability is linked to lower oxidative stress and a measurable decrease in carotid artery thickening (IMT) within just 3 months. This suggests that for some patients, these drugs may offer cardiovascular protection by stabilizing blood sugar swings, independent of just lowering the average HbA1c.
The use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors to reduce daily glucose fluctuations has been associated with a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation [24]: within a 3-month period, reduction in glycaemic variability caused a commensurate and proportionate reduction in carotid IMT [25]...
Why this rating
Supported by specific trial data cited in the review (references 24, 25), though the paper notes overall clinical data on microangiopathy is insufficient.
Source
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the microcirculation
W. David Strain et al. · Cardiovascular Diabetology · 2018
DOI 10.1186/s12933-018-0703-2
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