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Purpose We have previously demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) does not affect renal hemodynamics or function under baseline conditions in healthy participants and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is possible that GLP-1 promotes natriuresis under conditions with addition of salt and water to the extracellular fluid. The current study was designed to investigate a possible GLP-1-renal axis, inducing natriuresis in healthy, volume-loaded participants. Methods Under fixed sodium intake, eight healthy men were examined twice in random order during a 3-hour infusion of either GLP-1 (1.5 pmol/kg/min) or vehicle together with an intravenous infusion of 0.9% NaCl. Timed urine collections were conducted throughout the experiments. Renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and uptake and release of hormones and ions were measured via Fick's principle. Results During GLP-1 infusion, urinary sodium and osmolar excretions increased significantly compared with vehicle. Plasma renin levels decreased similarly on both days, whereas angiotensin II (ANG II) levels decreased significantly only during GLP-1 infusion. RPF and GFR remained unchanged on both days. Conclusions In volume-loaded participants, GLP-1 induces natriuresis, probably brought about via a tubular mechanism secondary to suppression of ANG II, independent of renal hemodynamics, supporting the existence of a GLP-1-renal axis.

Human studies have demonstrated that physiologically relevant changes in circulating glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) elicit a rapid increase in renal sodium excretion when combined with expansion of the extracellular fluid volume. Other studies support the involvement of various gastrointestinal hormones, e.g., gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) in a gut‐kidney axis, responsible for a rapid‐acting feed‐forward natriuretic mechanism. This study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that the postprandial GLP‐1 plasma concentration is sensitive to the sodium content in the meal. Under fixed sodium intake for 4 days prior to each experimental day, 10 lean healthy male participants were examined twice in random order after a 12‐hr fasting period. Arterial blood samples were collected at 10–20‐min intervals for 140 min after 75 grams of oral glucose + 6 grams of oral sodium chloride (NaCl) load versus 75 grams of glucose alone. Twenty‐four‐hour baseline urinary sodium excretions were similar between study days. Arterial GLP‐1 levels increased during both oral glucose loads and were significantly higher at the 40–80 min period during glucose + NaCl compared to glucose alone. The postprandial arterial responses of CCK, gastrin, and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide as well as glucose, insulin, and C‐peptide did not differ between the two study days. Arterial renin, aldosterone, and natriuretic peptides levels did not change within subjects or between study days. Angiotensin II levels were significantly lower at the time GLP‐1 was higher (60–80 min) during glucose + NaCl. Sodium intake in addition to a glucose load selectively amplifies the postprandial GLP‐1 plasma concentration. Thus, GLP‐1 may be part of an acute feed‐forward mechanism for natriuresis., This study demonstrates that postprandial glucose‐driven glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion is sensitive to dietary sodium chloride intake and that this is associated with significantly lower angiotensin II (ANG II) but not aldosterone concentrations. In perspective, this feed‐forward Na+‐driven GLP‐1/ANGII response could have an impact on renal Na+‐handling.

We have recently demonstrated that renal extraction of GLP-1 is ∼45% and that extracellular fluid volume expansion in healthy participants uncovered a natriuretic action of GLP-1 probably via a tubular mechanism secondary to suppression of angiotensin II (ANG II) and independent of changes in renal hemodynamics. It is not known whether the high extraction is due to receptor binding. The present study was designed to test the hypotheses that the renal extraction and natriuretic effect of GLP-1 are mediated via GLP-1 receptor. Under fixed sodium intake for 4 days before each study day, 6 healthy male participants were recruited from our recent study1 and examined during a 3-h infusion of GLP-1 (1.5 pmol/kg/min) together with a 3.5-h infusion of the GLP-1 receptor antagonist, exendin 9-39 (Ex 9-39) (900 pmol/kg/min), initiated 30 minutes before start of GLP-1 infusion. Timed urine collections were conducted throughout the experiments. Renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal extraction of GLP-1 were measured via Fick’s principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Renal extraction of GLP-1 was ∼45% during infusion of GLP-1 alone and decreased significantly to ∼25% during co-infusion of GLP-1 and Ex 9-39. Urinary sodium and osmolar excretions remained at baseline levels during co-infusion of GLP-1 and Ex 9-39 compared to a mean 2-fold natriuretic effect during GLP-1 infusion alone. Arterial plasma ANG II levels were unaffected during the co-infusions, whereas ANG II decreased significantly during GLP-1 alone. Arterial plasma renin levels decreased similarly on the two study days, and arterial aldosterone levels remained unchanged on both days. RPF and GFR remained unchanged on both days. In conclusion, renal extraction of GLP-1 is partially and natriuresis is fully dependent on GLP-1 receptor activation, probably via GLP-1-mediated ANG II suppression. 1Asmar A et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Jul 1;104(7):2509-2519. Disclosure A. Asmar: None. P.K. Cramon: None. M. Asmar: None. L. Simonsen: None. S. Madsbad: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi-Aventis. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk A/S. C.M. Sorensen: None. B. Hartmann: None. J.J. Holst: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Zealand Pharma A/S. Other Relationship; Spouse/Partner; Antag Therapeutics. P. Hovind: None. B.L. Jensen: None. J. Bülow: None.

Purpose The natriuretic effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in humans is independent of changes in renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but may involve suppression of angiotensin II (ANG II) and a significant (~45%) renal extraction of GLP-1. The current study was designed to investigate the consequences for the renal extraction and the natriuretic effect of blocking GLP-1 receptors with the specific GLP-1 receptor antagonist, Exendin 9–39 (Ex 9–39). Methods Under fixed sodium intake for 4 days before each study day, 6 healthy male participants were recruited from our recent study where GLP-1 or vehicle was infused (1). In the present new experiments, participants were examined during a 3-hour infusion of GLP-1 (1.5 pmol/kg/min) together with a 3.5-hour infusion of Ex 9–39 (900 pmol/kg/min). Timed urine collections were conducted throughout the experiments. Renal extraction of GLP-1 as well as RPF and GFR were measured via Fick’s principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Arterial plasma renin, ANG II, and aldosterone concentrations were measured. Results Co-infusion of Ex 9–39 significantly reduced renal extraction of GLP-1 to ~25% compared with GLP-1 infusion alone (~45%). Urinary sodium excretions remained at baseline levels during co-infusion of Ex 9–39 as well as vehicle. By contrast, GLP-1 infusion alone resulted in a 2-fold increase in natriuresis. Ex 9–39 abolished the GLP-1-induced decrease in arterial ANG II concentrations. RPF and GFR remained unchanged during all experiments. Conclusions Renal extraction of GLP-1 and its effect on natriuresis are both dependent on GLP-1 receptor activation in healthy humans.

Background: Efficacy of protein absorption and subsequent amino acid utilization may be reduced in the elderly. Higher protein intakes have been suggested to counteract this.Objectives: We aimed to elucidate how habituated amounts of protein intake affect the fasted state of, and the stimulatory effect of a protein-rich meal on, protein absorption, whole-body protein turnover, and splanchnic amino acid metabolism.Methods: Twelve men (65-70 y) were included in a double-blinded crossover intervention study, consisting of a 20-d habituation period to a protein intake at the RDA or a high amount [1.1 g . kg lean body mass (LBM)(-)(1) . d(-1) or >2.1 g . kg LBM-1 . d(-1), respectively], each followed by an experimental trial with a primed, constant infusion of D-8-phenylalanine and D-2-tyrosine. Arterial and hepatic venous blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast and repeatedly 4 h after a standardized meal including intrinsically labeled whey protein concentrate and calcium-caseinate proteins. Blood was analyzed for amino acid concentrations and phenylalanine and tyrosine tracer enrichments from which whole-body and splanchnic amino acid and protein kinetics were calculated.Results: High (compared with the recommended amount of) protein intake resulted in a higher fasting whole-body protein turnover with a resultant mean +/- SEM 0.03 +/- 0.01 mu mol . kg LBM-1 . min(-1) lower net balance (P Conclusions: Three weeks of habituation to high protein intake (>2.1 g protein . kg LBM-1 . d(-1)) led to a significantly higher net protein loss in the fasted state. This was not compensated for in the 4-h postprandial period after intake of a meal high in protein.

We investigated the short-term effect of adding liraglutide 1.8 mg once daily to insulin treatment on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes. In total, 100 overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) ) adult patients (age ≥18 years) with type 1 diabetes and HbA1c ≥ 8% (64 mmol/mol) were randomized to liraglutide 1.8 mg or placebo added to insulin treatment in a 24-week double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. At baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment, 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate, pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness were evaluated. Compared with placebo, liraglutide increased 24-hour heart rate by 4.6 beats per minute (BPM); P = .0015, daytime heart rate by 3.7; P = .0240 and night-time heart rate by 7.5 BPM; P

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in combination with hyperinsulinemia increase blood flow and triglyceride clearance in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in lean humans. The present experiments were performed to determine whether the increase involves capillary recruitment. Eight lean healthy volunteers were studied before and after 1 h infusion of GIP or saline during a hyperglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp, raising plasma glucose and insulin to postprandial levels. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) was measured by the 133Xenon clearance technique, and microvascular blood volume was determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. During infusion of saline and the clamp, both ATBF (2.7 ± 0.5 mL/min 100 g/tissue) and microvascular blood volume remained unchanged throughout the experiments. During GIP infusion and the clamp, ATBF increased ~fourfold to 11.4 ± 1.9 mL/min 100 g/tissue, P P = 0.003), but not in the control experiments. In conclusion, the increase in ATBF during GIP infusion involves recruitment of capillaries in healthy lean subjects, which probably increases the interaction of circulating lipoproteins with lipoprotein lipase, thus promoting adipose tissue lipid uptake.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) per se and in combination with hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on splanchnic blood flow and further to investigate the role of GIP in splanchnic lipid metabolism in humans. Eight healthy lean males were examined in a randomized order on four different occasions. Splanchnic blood flow and lipid metabolism were measured by Fick’s Principle using indocyanine green as indicator during GIP (1.5 pmol/kg/min) or saline infused intravenously alone or in combination with a hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia (Hygluc-Hyinsu) clamp. During all four experiments, splanchnic blood flow increased similarly. Splanchnic triglyceride output decreased similarly during the Hygluc-Hyinsu clamp with and without GIP (8.6 ± 1.8 and 10.3 ± 2.6 µmol/min, respectively, P=NS). Likewise, during the clamp alone and with GIP, free fatty acids uptake decreased similarly (3.5 ± 3.8 and 6.7 ± 4.6 µmol/min, respectively, P=NS). GIP does not seem to play a key role in the acute regulation of splanchnic blood flow or lipid metabolism under these particular conditions in vivo. Disclosure A. Asmar: None. J.J. Holst: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. M. Asmar: None.

Recent randomized and controlled trials of drugs derived from the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) show that the most frequent adverse symptoms are gastrointestinal, including gallbladder-related side effects such as cholithiasis and cholecystitis. Since the gut hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates bile secretion and regulates gallbladder motility and emptying, we examined the effect of GLP-1 on the secretion of CCK in normal subjects and patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Plasma was sampled from 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with diabetes. With plasma glucose concentrations clamped between 6 and 9 nmol/l, GLP-1 or saline was infused for 240 min during and after a meal. The plasma concentrations of CCK were measured with a highly specific radioimmunoassay.Basal plasma concentrations of CCK were similar in the normal subjects and in the diabetes patients. During the meal, the CCK concentrations rose significantly during saline infusion, whereas the GLP-1 infusion suppressed the secretion of CCK significantly in both normal subjects and in the diabetes patients.The results show that GLP-1 suppresses the secretion of CCK after a meal in normal and diabetic subjects. The suppression attenuates the gallbladder contractility. Our data, therefore, offer an explanation for the increased risk of adverse gallbladder events during treatment with GLP-1-derived drugs.

We have previously demonstrated that the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) does not affect renal hemodynamics or function at baseline conditions in healthy individuals and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is possible that GLP-1 promotes renal NaCl excretion under conditions with addition of salt and water to the extracellular fluid (mimicking a mixed meal/daily NaCl load). The present study was designed to investigate whether GLP-1 induces natriuresis in healthy, volume overloaded individuals. Under fixed sodium intake, 8 healthy men were examined twice in random order during a 3-hour infusion of either GLP-1(1.5 pmol kg-1 min-1) or vehicle together with an intravenous infusion of 0.9% NaCl (750 ml/hour) given throughout both experiments. Timed urine collections were conducted throughout the experiments at voluntary voiding, and subjects remained supine during the experiments. Renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and uptake/release of hormones and ions were measured using Fick’s Principle after catheterization of a renal vein and an artery. During GLP-1 infusion, urinary sodium excretion increased compared to vehicle infusion (193 ± 40 mmol/180 min vs. 89 00B110 mmol/180 min, p Disclosure A. Asmar: None. P.K. Cramon: Employee; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk A/S. L. Simonsen: None. M. Asmar: None. C.M. Sorensen: None. S. Madsbad: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Eli Lilly and Company. Advisory Panel; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Sanofi-Aventis, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. C. Moro: None. B. Hartmann: None. J.J. Holst: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Board Member; Self; Zealand Pharma A/S. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., AstraZeneca. Research Support; Self; Danish Diabetes Academy, Novo Nordisk Foundation. Other Relationship; Self; Antag Therapeutics. Other Relationship; Spouse/Partner; Antag Therapeutics. B.L. Jensen: None. J. Bülow: None.

To investigate how fluid shifts, blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance adapt to long duration (3-6 months) spaceflight.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone secreted from the gastrointestinal tract. It is best known for its glucose-dependent insulinotropic effects. GLP-1 is secreted in its intact (active) form (7–36NH2) but is rapidly degraded by the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) enzyme, converting >90% to the primary metabolite (9–36NH2) before reaching the targets via the circulation. Although originally thought to be inactive or antagonistic, GLP-1 9–36NH2 may have independent actions, and it is therefore relevant to be able to measure it. Because reliable assays were not available, we developed a sandwich ELISA recognizing both GLP-1 9–36NH2 and nonamidated GLP-1 9–37. The ELISA was validated using analytical assay validation guidelines and by comparing it to a subtraction-based method, hitherto employed for estimation of GLP-1 9–36NH2. Its accuracy was evaluated from measurements of plasma obtained during intravenous infusions (1.5 pmol × kg−1 × min−1) of GLP-1 7–36NH2 in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes. Plasma levels of the endogenous GLP-1 metabolite increased during a meal challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes, and treatment with a DPP-4 inhibitor fully blocked its formation. Accurate measurements of the GLP-1 metabolite may contribute to understanding its physiology and role of GLP-1 in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical importance of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT used in the extra cardiac work-up of patients with infective endocarditis (IE).BACKGROUND: IE is a serious condition with a significant mortality. Besides the degree of valvular involvement, the prognosis relies crucially on the presence of systemic infectious embolism.METHODS: Seventy-two patients (71% males and mean age 63 ± 17 years) with IE were evaluated with (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in addition to standard work-up including patient history, physical examination, conventional imaging modalities, and weekly interdisciplinary conferences. When previous unknown lesions detected by (18)F-FDG-PET/CT were confirmed by succeeding examinations, they were considered true positive new findings and were further assessed for their clinical importance. Number needed to investigate was calculated as the number of patients who needed to undergo (18)F-FDG-PET/CT to find at least one clinical important true positive new finding, not identified by standard work-up prior to (18)F-FDG-PET/CT.RESULTS: (18)F-FDG-PET/CT detected 114 lesions and 64 were true positive, of which 25 were new findings and detected in 17 patients. In 11 patients, the lesions were considered to have a clinical importance; osteomyelitis (n = 7), iliopsoas abscess (n = 1), gastrointestinal lesions (n = 2), and vascular prosthetic graft (n = 1). Number needed to investigate was 7 (11 of 72 patients).CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG-PET/CT detected lesions of clinical importance in one of seven IE patients and may be a substantial imaging technique for tracing peripheral infectious embolism due to IE. Thus, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT may help to guide adequate therapy and thereby improve the prognosis of patients with IE.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in combination with hyperinsulinemia increases blood flow and triglyceride (TAG) clearance in subcutaneous (sc) abdominal adipose tissue in lean humans. The present experiments were performed to further investigate the role of insulin for the vasoactive effect of GIP in adipose tissue metabolism and whether the vasodilatory effect of GIP is dependent on C-peptide.Six lean healthy subjects were studied. The sc abdominal adipose tissue metabolism was assessed by Fick's principle during GIP infusion (1.5 pmol/kg/min) in combination with 1) euglycemic-high insulinemic clamp (Eugluc-Hiinsu), raising plasma insulin concentrations to postprandial levels, 2) hyperglycemic-euinsulinemic clamp (Hygluc-Euinsu), and 3) hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, raising plasma insulin concentrations to supraphysiological levels. During the hyperglycemic clamps, endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion were inhibited by infusion of the somatostatin analogue octreotide.During GIP infusion, Eugluc-Hiinsu, and hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps, sc abdominal adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) was similar and increased from 2.1 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.4 ml min(-1) (100 g tissue)(-1) to 7.1 ± 0.6 and 7.6 ± 0.1 ml min(-1) (100 g tissue)(-1), respectively (P.01). ATBF remained virtually constant (2.7 ± 0.4 ml min(-1) [100 g tissue](-1)) during Hygluc-Euinsu and GIP infusion. In addition, adipose tissue TAG clearance increased significantly (P = .03), whereas free fatty acid output (P = .01), glycerol output (P = .02) and free fatty acid/glycerol release ratio (P = .04) decreased during the Eugluc-Hiinsu clamp compared to Hygluc-Euinsu clamp with GIP.In healthy lean humans, insulin is permissive for GIP to induce an increase in blood flow and TAG clearance in sc abdominal adipose tissue. This effect is independent of C-peptide.

During acute administration of native glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), we previously demonstrated central hemodynamic effects in healthy males, whereas renal hemodynamics, despite renal uptake of GLP-1 in excess of glomerular filtration, was unaffected. In the present study, we studied hemodynamic effects of GLP-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes under fixed sodium intake. During a 3-h infusion of GLP-1 (1.5 pmol·kg−1·min−1) or saline, intra-arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured continuously, concomitantly with cardiac output estimated by pulse contour analysis. Renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and uptake/release of hormones and ions were measured using Fick's Principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Urine collection was conducted throughout the experiments at voluntary voiding, and patients remained supine during the experiments. During the GLP-1 infusion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cardiac output remained unchanged, whereas heart rate increased significantly. Arterio-venous gradients for GLP-1 exceeded glomerular filtrations significantly, but renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate as well as renal sodium and lithium excretion were not affected. In conclusion, acute administration of GLP-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes leads to a positive chronotropic effect, but in contrast to healthy individuals, cardiac output does not increase in patients with type 2 diabetes. Renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion are not affected.

An 84-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit because of hypercalcemic crisis leading to acute renal failure needing dialysis. The patient had no other history of illness. However, because prostate-specific antigen levels were increased, the patient was referred to F-NaF PET/CT on suspicion of active skeletal metastases. The patient was finally diagnosed with myelomatosis. Although the skeletal uptake of F-NaF was without signs of focal metastasis, the F-NaF PET/CT scanning surprisingly revealed diffuse high accumulation of F-NaF in the lung parenchyma, possibly because of calcium deposition in the lung parenchyma associated to amyloidosis seen in patients with myelomatosis.

In healthy subjects, we recently demonstrated that during acute administration of GLP‐1, cardiac output increased significantly, whereas renal blood flow remained constant. We therefore hypothesize that GLP‐1 induces vasodilation in other organs, for example, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and/or splanchnic tissues. Nine healthy men were examined twice in random order during a 2‐hour infusion of either GLP‐1 (1.5 pmol kg −1 min −1 ) or saline. Cardiac output was continuously estimated noninvasively concomitantly with measurement of intra‐arterial blood pressure. Subcutaneous, abdominal adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) was measured by the 133 Xenon clearance technique. Leg and splanchnic blood flow were measured by Fick9s Principle, using indocyanine green as indicator. In the GLP‐1 study, cardiac output increased significantly together with a significant increase in arterial pulse pressure and heart rate compared with the saline study. Subcutaneous, abdominal ATBF and leg blood flow increased significantly during the GLP‐1 infusion compared with saline, whereas splanchnic blood flow response did not differ between the studies. We conclude that in healthy subjects, GLP‐1 increases cardiac output acutely due to a GLP‐1‐induced vasodilation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle together with an increase in cardiac work.

We have previously shown that Afghans residing in Denmark for at least 12 years exhibit a lower 24-h ambulatory blood pressure compared to Danes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the lower blood pressure reflects attenuated compensatory baroreflex responses in the Afghans. On a controlled diet (2,822 cal/day, 55–75 mmol + 2 mmol Na+/kg/day), 12 young males of Afghan (Afghans) and 12 young males of Danish (Danes) origin were exposed to a two-step lower body negative pressure (LBNP) protocol of −20 and −50 mmHg, respectively, each of 10-min duration. Afghans had lower 24-h systolic blood pressure compared to Danes (115 ± 2 vs. 123 ± 1 mmHg, p

Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a serious condition with a high morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of IE depends not only on correct antibiotic therapy and surgery when needed, but involves identification of the portal of entry and detection of extracardiac infectious manifestations. To discover the latter an (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET)/CT examination has been proposed. However, the diagnostic value of a PET/CT in this setting remains unresolved. Thus, we wished to assess the usefulness of a PET/CT study in patients with IE as a supplemental method to standard work-up in evaluating primary and distant infective foci. A retrospective cohort study of 72 IE patients admitted from 2008 to 2010, which had an (18)F-FDG-PET/CT performed. Findings were assessed in relation to the routine work-up, which served as the "gold standard". One hundred-fifty-nine infectious lesions were identified. (18)F-FDG-PET identified 64 of these, and suggested another 50. Overall sensitivity and positive predictive value was 40 and 56 %, respectively, in detecting both cardiac and extracardiac infective foci. When excluding lungs and organs with high physiological FDG-uptake/secretion, the corresponding values increased to 87 and 52 %, respectively. (18)F-FDG-PET/CT may be an important diagnostic tool in detecting extra cardiac infections in patients with IE, particularly in organs with low physiological glucose uptake.

Summary Purpose Immigration from a Third-World society to a Western society can be associated with higher blood pressure and salt sensitivity. We therefore tested whether immigrants from Afghanistan to Denmark compared with non-immigrant Danes exhibit a (i) higher 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (24-h ABP) and (ii) blunted renin response to a change in salt intake. Methods Twenty-four-hour ABP was measured in 40 men of Afghan (Afghans) and 40 men of Danish (Danes) origin. Each group was divided into young (20–30 years, n = 20) and middle aged (40–60 years, n = 20). A 3-day low (70 mmol per 24-h) and a 3-day high (250 mmol per 24-h) salt intake were in addition instituted in subgroups of the young groups (n = 18). Results Young and middle-aged Afghans exhibited a lower 24-h mean arterial pressure (24-h MAP) than the same respective age groups of Danes (83 ± 1 versus 90 ± 1 mm Hg, P

Objective: Studies have shown unambiguous and conflicting results with regard to cardiovascular and renal effects of glucagon-like peptide1-(7–36)-amide (GLP-1). The present experiments were performed in order to elucidate the effects of GLP-1 on cardiac and renal hemodynamics in healthy subjects. Methods: Healthy middle-aged male subjects were examined twice. During a 3-h infusion of native GLP-1 (1.5 pmol/kg/min) or saline, renal plasma flow was estimated by continuous Cr-EDTA infusion and arterial and renal venous catheterization. Central hemodynamics were measured non-invasively by a Finometer® device and intra-arterial blood pressure was measured continuously. During the whole experiment the subjects remained supine. Results: Presently 4 of 8 subjects have completed both experiments. During GLP-1 infusion, arterial blood glucose decreased (5.7 ± 0.2 vs. 4.4 ± 0.2 mmol/L), while it remained constant during saline infusion. During GLP-1 infusion the systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased 10 ± 2 and 5 ± 2 mmHg, respectively, whereas blood pressure remained unchanged during placebo. Heart rate increased 4 ± 2 beats per minute during GLP-1 and remained unchanged during placebo. The renal plasma flow was equal in both experiments. Conclusions: GLP-1 infusion elicits an increase in arterial pulse pressure and heart rate compared to placebo infusion, while the renal vascular effects were equal. Irrespective that it was not possible to register any change in cardiac output with the Finometer® device, the results indicate, that GLP-1 infusion leads to an increased cardiac output judged from the simultaneous increase in arterial pulse pressure and heart rate, while this does not influence the pre-renal perfusion.