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Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) increases GLUT‐4 protein expression, capillary density and glucose tolerance in patients with abnormal glucose tolerance
Author(s) -
Martin Jeffrey S,
Beck Darren T,
Aranda Juan M,
Braith Randy W
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.686.18
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , insulin , impaired glucose tolerance , insulin resistance , glucose tolerance test , cardiology
We sought to evaluate the effects of EECP therapy on outcomes of glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle morphology in patients with abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT). Methods Eighteen patients with AGT were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to receive either 7 weeks (35 1‐hour sessions) of EECP (n = 12) or 7‐weeks of standard care (control; n = 6). Biochemical assays, oral glucose tolerance, and skeletal muscle morphology were assessed before and after EECP or control. Results Following EECP, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was increased (9.74 ± 1.59 to 17.04 ± 2.65 pg/mL, P <0.05). Vastus lateralis skeletal muscle biopsies demonstrated improvements in capillary density (454 ± 21 to 497 ± 19 mm −2, P <0.05) following EECP. There was no change in glucose uptake signaling pathways, but total GLUT‐4 protein expression was elevated (+47%, P <0.05) following EECP. Fasting (−16.9 ± 5.4 mg/dL) and 120‐min (−28.3 ± 7.3 mg/dL) plasma glucose from oral glucose tolerance testing were also improved following EECP ( P <0.05). Further, the Matsuda index, a whole‐body composite insulin sensitivity index, increased (+21%, P <0.05). Conclusions EECP mediated increases in capillary density and GLUT‐4 in patients with AGT paralleled improvements in surrogates of insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This research was supported by the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida.