Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory
10:03

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory

Published on: February 28, 2013

Defensive active coping facilitates chronic hyperglycaemia and endothelial dysfunction in African men: the SABPA

L Malan1, M Hamer, M P Schlaich

  • 1Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa.

International Journal of Cardiology
|November 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Active coping (AC) in African men is linked to higher risks of high blood pressure and HbA1c, indicating potential stroke susceptibility. African women with AC show resilience despite elevated risk markers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Behavioral Science
  • Ethnic Health Disparities

Background:

  • Active coping (AC) shows a dissociation between behavioral control and physiological "loss of control" responses.
  • This dissociation is linked to silent ischemia and structural wall abnormalities in African men.
  • The relationship with structural alterations and endothelial dysfunction requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine ethnic-gender specific receiver operating characteristic (ROC) cut points for carotid intima-media far wall (CIMTf).
  • To associate CIMTf cut points with 24-hour blood pressure (BP), silent ischemia, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Main Methods:

  • Included 317 African and Caucasian participants (aged 45 ± 9 years) without prior stroke or atrial fibrillation.
  • Measured AC using the Coping Strategy Indicator.
  • Utilized ultrasound for CIMTf, ambulatory monitoring for BP, and blood samples for HbA1c and silent ischemia assessment.

Main Results:

  • AC African men had higher diastolic BP (69-77%) and HbA1c levels compared to AC Caucasian men (44-48%).
  • AC African women (41-60%) exhibited higher BP, silent ischemia, and HbA1c than Caucasian women (17-44%).
  • Optimal CIMTf cut points for BP ranged from 0.57-0.65 mm, and for silent ischemia from 0.71-0.74 mm. HbA1c (>5.7%) predicted structural alterations (0.69 mm cut point) in AC African men (OR 4.5).

Conclusions:

  • AC African women demonstrated behavioral resilience despite a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk markers.
  • In AC African men, chronic hyperglycemia contributed to endothelial dysfunction, "loss of control," and stroke risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
Defensive copingEndothelial dysfunctionEthnicityHbA1c

Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus01:22

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy01:15

Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy

The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...