Decreased vascular endothelial growth factor response to acute hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients with hypoglycemic coma

IntroductionPlasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was shown to increase during acute hypoglycemia and could mediate rapid adaptation of the brain. In this study we examined the neuroendocrine response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in hypoglycemic coma or with acute neuroglycopenic symptoms.MethodsWe prospectively studied 135 consecutive T2DM patients admitted for severe hypoglycemia during a 2-year period. We collected clinical variables and measured plasma concentrations of VEGF, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and growth hormone at admission and 30 min afterwards.ResultsThirty two patients developed hypoglycemic coma and 103 did not lose consciousness. Median plasma VEGF level of coma patients was 3.1-fold lower at baseline than that of non-coma patients, and even 5.3-fold lower 30 min afterwards. Plasma epinephrine concentration was significantly lower just at baseline in coma patients. On the contrary, there were no differences in concentrations of the other hormones. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that VEGF concentration (OR 0.68; CI 0.51–0.95) was a protective factor against the development of coma.ConclusionsVEGF and epinephrine responses to acute hypoglycemia are reduced in T2DM patients who develop hypoglycemic coma. An increased plasma VEGF concentration appeared to be a protective factor against the development of hypoglycemic coma.