Activin A Levels Are Associated With Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Myocardial Infarction Potential Counteracting Effects of Activin A on Inflammation

OBJECTIVE—On the basis of the role of activin A in inflamma-tion, atherogenesis, and glucose homeostasis, we investigated whether activin A could be related to glucometabolic abnormal-ities in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Activin A measure-ment and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were performed in patients (n = 115) with acute MI, without previously known diabetes, and repeated after 3 months. Release of activin A and potential anti-inflammatory effects of activin A were measured in human endothelial cells. Activin A effects on insulin secretion and inflammation were tested in human pancreatic islet cells. RESULTS—1) In patients with acute MI, serum levels of activin A were significantly higher in those with abnormal glucose regu-lation (AGR) compared with those with normal glucose regula-tion. Activin A levels were associated with the presence of AGR