Elevated Glucagon-like Peptide-1 and a Th2 Shift May Support Reduced Prevalence of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Patients with Diabetes

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  Figure 1. Flowchart of study groups.

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  Figure 2. T2D is associated with an increase in IL-6/TNF-α ratio. (a) HbA1c (n = 63 for non-T2D, n = 36 for T2D) and (b) fasting plasma glucose (n = 62 for non-T2D, n = 35 for T2D) levels were higher in T2D patients, p < 0.0001 for both. (c) A clear trend towards reduced IFN-γ levels was observed in patients with T2D when compared to the non-T2D group (p = 0.06) and (d) Fasting plasma IL-6/TNF-α ratio (n = 49 for non-T2D, n = 33 for T2D) was significantly increased in T2D compared with the non-T2D group (p < 0.05). Comparisons between groups were done with an unpaired t-test. ns = no significant; * p < 0.05; **** p < 0.0001.

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  Figure 3. Increased F-GLP-1 is associated with a Th2 inflammatory profile in T2D patients. (a) Total F-GLP-1 levels (including GLP-1 7-36 amide and 7-37 [active form] and the metabolite GLP-1 9-36) were higher in T2D patients, as compared to controls, p < 0.0001 (n = 63 for control, n = 37 for T2D). (b) Active F-GLP-1 levels were higher in T2D patients, p < 0.01 (n = 28 for non-T2D, n = 8 for T2D). (c) A positive correlation was observed between total and active GLP-1 for non-T2D (n = 26). (d) In the presence of a simulated diabetic milieu (0.125 mM palmitate and 20 mM glucose), IL-6 stimulated GLP-1 secretion is abolished by TNF-α. + Presence of the indicated treatment − absence of indicated treatment. (e) A positive correlation between IL-4/IFN-γ ratio and F-GLP-1 levels (n = 25) was detected in T2D patients. (f) A negative association with TNF-α was observed in the T2D group. Black dots represent analyzed levels for individual samples. Comparisons between groups were performed with an unpaired t-test or one-way ANOVA when comparing more than two groups. Significant correlations were assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient, ** p < 0.01; **** p < 0.0001. For the in vitro…

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  Figure 4. Th2 cytokines are downregulated in patients with TAA. (a) IL-4 and (b) IL-5 were significantly decreased in the TAA patients, compared with control patients, ** p < 0.01 (non-TAA patients; n = 49, TAA; n = 41). Comparisons between groups were performed with an unpaired t-test.