These data demonstrate a long-term benefit of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and HLA upregulation on biopsy specimens. Thus, restoration of immunosuppressive therapy for such patients should be considered.

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In this review, we have highlighted pivotal cellular and molecular events in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Key components of lesion initiation are an enhanced focal intimal influx and accumulation of lipoproteins, including LDL in hemodynamically determined lesion-prone areas, focal monocyte-macrophage recruitment, intimal generation of ROS, and oxidative modification of lipoproteins (including LDL [Ox-LDL]). Modified lipoproteins are taken up by the non-downregulating macrophage scavenger receptor, with foam cell formation and the development of the so-called fatty streak. One transitional event in lesion progression is foam cell necrosis, likely attributable to the cytotoxicity of both intimal free radicals and Ox-LDL, with development of an extracellular metabolically inert lipid core. Another is the migration to and proliferation within the intima of medial SMCs, leading to the synthesis of plaque collagens, elastin, and proteoglycans. Mural thrombosis plays a significant role in the late-stage progression of lesions. Regression of lesions is considered a function of the dynamic balance among components of initiation, progression, plaque stabilization, and removal of plaque constituents--the so-called regression quartet. Here, we critically examine how components of diabetes mellitus might impact not only lesion development, but also lesion regression. It is concluded that some components of diabetes mellitus augment key mechanisms in lesion initiation and progression and will likely retard the processes of plaque regression. Specifically, we focus on the various influences of diabetes mellitus on lipoprotein influx and accumulation, free radical generation and Ox-LDL, monocyte-macrophage recruitment, thrombosis and impaired fibrinolysis, and the reverse cholesterol transport system. The importance of nonenzymatic protein glycosylation in modifying a number of these processes is emphasized.

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A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances. The Diabetes Prevention ProgramBaseline characteristics of the randomized cohort O R I G I N A L A R T I C L EOBJECTIVE -The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a 27-center randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventions that may delay or prevent development of diabetes in people at increased risk for type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Eligibility requirements were age Ն25 years, BMI Ն24 kg/m 2 (Ն22 kg/m 2 for Asian-Americans), and impaired glucose tolerance plus a fasting plasma glucose of 5.3-6.9 mmol/l (or Յ6.9 mmol for American Indians). Randomization of participants into the DPP over 2.7 years ended in June 1999. Baseline data for the three treatment groups-intensive lifestyle modification, standard care plus metformin, and standard care plus placebo-are presented for the 3,234 participants who have been randomized.RESULTS -Of all participants, 55% were Caucasian, 20% were African-American, 16% were Hispanic, 5% were American Indian, and 4% were Asian-American. Their average age at entry was 51 ± 10.7 years (mean ± SD), and 67.7% were women. Moreover, 16% were Ͻ40 years of age, and 20% were Ն60 years of age. Of the women, 48% were postmenopausal. Men and women had similar frequencies of history of hypercholesterolemia (37 and 33%, respectively) or hypertension (29 and 26%, respectively). On the basis of fasting lipid determinations, 54% of men and 40% of women fit National Cholesterol Education Program criteria for abnormal lipid profiles. More men than women were current or former cigarette smokers or had a history of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, 66% of men and 71% of women had a firstdegree relative with diabetes. Overall, BMI averaged 34.0 ± 6.7 kg/m 2 at baseline with 57% of the men and 73% of women having a BMI Ն30 kg/m 2 . Average fasting plasma glucose (6.0 ± 0.5 mmol/l) and HbA 1c (5.9 ± 0.5%) in men were comparable with values in women (5.9 ± 0.4 mmol/l and 5.9 ± 0.5%, respectively).CONCLUSIONS -The DPP has successfully randomized a large cohort of participants with a wide distribution of age, obesity, and ethnic and racial backgrounds who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The study will examine the effects of interventions on the development of diabetes.