Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
08:03

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes

Published on: June 25, 2017

Effect of repaglinide on endothelial dysfunction during a glucose tolerance test in subjects with impaired glucose

Isabella Schmoelzer1, Thomas C Wascher

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria. isabella.schmoelzer@klinikum-graz.at

Cardiovascular Diabetology
|April 12, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Repaglinide effectively reduces high blood sugar levels in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This glucose reduction significantly improves endothelial function, a key indicator of cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • The precise mechanisms linking hyperglycemia to atherosclerosis remain unclear.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of repaglinide on hyperglycemia and endothelial function in patients with IGT.
  • To explore the relationship between glucose levels and endothelial dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized, cross-over study involving 12 subjects with IGT.
  • Administration of 2 mg repaglinide during an oral glucose tolerance test.
  • Measurement of plasma glucose and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.

Main Results:

  • Repaglinide significantly lowered plasma glucose levels 2 hours post-glucose challenge.
  • Endothelial function (FMD) was impaired after glucose load in the control group but not after repaglinide administration.
  • Changes in glucose levels strongly correlated with changes in FMD, indicating a glucose-dependent effect.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial dysfunction following a glucose challenge in IGT is directly related to the degree of hyperglycemia.
  • Repaglinide treatment mitigates endothelial dysfunction by reducing hyperglycemia.
  • The study highlights the importance of glucose control in managing cardiovascular risk in IGT.

Related Concept Videos

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides01:06

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively manages...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a significant...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood glucose levels...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors01:19

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...