Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion
08:22

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion

Published on: March 20, 2017

Relationship between hyperglycemia and coronary vascular resistance in non-diabetic patients

Hitoshi Ichiki1, Shuichi Hamasaki, Mitsuhiro Nakasaki

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.

International Journal of Cardiology
|January 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elevated glucose levels, even in non-diabetic individuals without heart disease, are linked to increased coronary vascular resistance. This finding suggests a potential mechanism for poor coronary hemodynamics in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Physiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia in acute myocardial infarction patients correlates with no-reflow phenomenon and mortality.
  • The underlying mechanisms of hyperglycemia-associated no-reflow remain unclear.
  • This study investigates coronary hemodynamics in non-diabetic patients without coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize coronary hemodynamics in a homogenous group of non-diabetic patients without coronary artery disease.
  • To explore the relationship between glucose levels and coronary vascular resistance.
  • To assess vascular reactivity in response to pharmacological stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • 104 non-diabetic patients without coronary artery disease underwent Doppler flow study.
  • Vascular reactivity assessed via intracoronary papaverine, acetylcholine (Ach), and nitroglycerin.
  • Coronary vascular resistance (CVR) calculated from mean arterial pressure and coronary blood flow (CBF).

Main Results:

  • Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) positively correlated with baseline and minimal CVR.
  • Ach-induced CBF change inversely correlated with HbA1c, but not FPG.
  • No significant correlation found between FPG/HbA1c and coronary flow reserve to papaverine.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated glucose levels are associated with increased baseline and minimal coronary vascular resistance.
  • These glucose-related changes may contribute to unfavorable coronary hemodynamics.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms in non-diabetic individuals.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
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...
Vascular Resistance01:20

Vascular Resistance

Vascular resistance is a critical concept in understanding blood flow dynamics in the circulatory system. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels. This resistance is a key factor in determining blood pressure and cardiac workload.
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.