Relation Between Autonomic Function and Blood Glucose in the Nondiabetic Range
- Johan D. Lefrandt, MD1,
- Marieke C. Mulder, BSC1,
- Eelke Bosma, BSC2,
- Andries J. Smit, MD, PHD1 and
- Klaas Hoogenberg, MD, PHD2
- 1Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen
- 2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
We agree with Marfella et al. (1) that increased free radical generation could very well be a common denominator of the mechanisms by which elevations in blood glucose influence baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in healthy subjects, as we have proposed (2). Free radicals influence Na+-K+-ATPase enzyme activity and intracytosolic free Ca2+ content at the cellular level as well as …
