The cover picture shows a light microscopic image of a transverse section of a haematoxylin-eosin-stained human saphenous vein that has been organ-cultured for 14 days in medium supplemented with insulin. Significant neointima formation is visible in the lumen of the cultured vessel. This arises from increased vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation, ultimately leading to vessel occlusion. In the present issue of Diabetologia (53:1761-1771), Mughal et al. report that co-supplementation of insulin-treated vein cultures with C-peptide, a cleavage product of proinsulin, abrogates this perceived detrimental effect of insulin. These findings suggest that co-supplementing insulin therapy with C-peptide in patients with diabetes may be beneficial in ameliorating some of the macrovascular complications of diabetes.
Cover credit: J. Kaye, Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics, University of Leeds, UK
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