Fotios Siskos

Erectile dysfunction is commonly encountered in diabetic patients and in patients with metabolic syndrome; however, only a few studies have assessed patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) regarding their sexual function. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on the erectile function of T2DM patients. A cross-sectional study including T2DM patients was conducted from November 2018 until November 2020. Participants were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome and their sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. A total of 45 consecutive male patients participated in this study. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 84.4% and erectile dysfunction (ED) in 86.7% of them. Metabolic syndrome was not associated with ED or ED severity. Among metabolic syndrome components, only high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was associated with ED [x² (1, n = 45) = 3.894, p = 0.048; OR = 5.5 (95% CI: 0.890–33.99)] and with the IIEF erectile function scores (median 23 vs. 18, U = 75, p = 0.012). Multiple regression analyses showed that HDL was non-significantly associated with the IIEF erectile function scores. In conclusion, among T2DM patients HDL is associated with ED.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as the failure to achieve blood pressure control despite using triple combination therapy with a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RAS-i), a calcium antagonist, and a diuretic. The endothelin (ET) system is implicated in the regulation of vascular tone, primarily through vasoconstriction, intervenes in cardiac contractility with inotropic effects, and contributes to water and sodium renal reabsorption. ET inhibitors, currently approved for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, seem to be also useful for essential hypertension and RH as well. Studies into the development of new dual ET inhibitors, which inhibit both type A and B ET (ET_A and ET_B) receptors, present initial results of managing RH. Aprocitentan (ACT-132577) is a novel, orally active and well tolerated dual ET receptor antagonist, which has been examined in several experimental studies and clinical trials with promising results for RH control. The recent publication of the large PRECISION study in The Lancet journal provides further reassurance regarding the efficacy and safety of aprocitentan for RH, with the aim of overcoming unmet needs in the management of this difficult group of patients.

Hypertension augments overall cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), constituting a major additional burden for diabetic subjects; however, control rates of hypertension remain suboptimal. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), second-line treatment option for diabetics, have revolutionized the field of T2DM therapeutic management due to their pleiotropic effects, while they seem to hold multiple cardiovascular benefits. A few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the effect of GLP-1RAs on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides a better method to predict long-term cardiovascular outcomes than office blood pressure. We sought to determine the effect of GLP-1RAs on ABPM, pooling data from relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched 2 major electronic databases, namely PubMed and Cochrane/CENTRAL, along with grey literature sources, for RCTs assessing the effect of various GLP-1RAs on ABP in patients with T2DM. After screening of the potentially eligible records, 7 RCTs were finally included in our meta-analysis (4 parallel-group and 3 cross-over). GLP-1RA treatment compared to placebo or active control resulted in a nonsignificant decrease in 24-h systolic blood pressure (MD=−1.57 mm Hg, 95% CI: −4.12 to 0.98, I²=63%) (Figure 1) and in 24-h diastolic blood pressure (MD=1.28 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.31 to 2.87, I²=49%) (Figure 2). No subgroup differences between the various GLP-1RAs were identified. More specifically, it was demonstrated that liraglutide once daily produced a non-significant decrease in 24-h systolic blood pressure (MD=−1.43 mm Hg, 95% CI: −5.24 to 2.38, I²=72%) and a non-significant increase in 24-h diastolic blood pressure (MD=1.47 mm Hg, 95% CI: −1.12 to 4.05, I²=61%), while data concerning the effect of once weekly dulaglutide and twice daily exenatide on ABPM were pooled from one RCT respectively (Figures 1, 2). Antidiabetic treatment with GLP-1RAs does not influence either systolic or diastolic ABP in patients with T2DM. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 2