Deciphering Vascular Dynamics Alterations in Sub-Saharan Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: Overview and Temporal Analysis of Nitric Oxide Administration

Background: Early detection of arterial damage is essential for the primary prevention of complications linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study assessed the cardiovascular risk of sub-Saharan African individuals with T2D, while exploring possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in this population. Methodology: A crossover study of 72 sub-Saharan African adults (36 with T2D and 36 without T2D) was conducted. Outcomes including diameter size (mm) and blood velocity (cm/s) of the brachial artery, were obtained at seven time points: baseline and from 5 seconds to 600 seconds in two conditions: pre- and post Nitric Oxide (NO) administration. HbA1C, fasting glucose, age, BMI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), lipid profile, T2D duration since diagnosis, and binary indicators of insulin and oral diabetes medication were evaluated. Results: NO improved the blood flow compared to the pre-NO after adjustment for clinical factors. The beneficial effect of NO administration on vascular dynamics was influenced by age (<I>B</I>=1.09; 95%IC: 1.07, 1.11), increased BMI (<I>B</I>= 1.03; 95%IC: 1.01, 1.04) and insulin use (<I>B</I> = 1.13; 95%IC 1.10, 1.16). Conclusion: The nuanced impact of these factors on blood flow improvement related to NO necessitates tailored and personalized approaches in managing T2D patients.