The study analyzed the effects of tight glycemic control on regenerative potential of myocardium during acute myocardial infarction.

Hyperglycemic patients (glucose >140 mg/dl) randomized to :
1. intensive glycemic control (80–140 mg/dl) (4.4-7.8mmol/l),
2. conventional glycemic control (180–200 mg/dl) (10-11.1mmol/l), or
3. glucose-insulin-potassium (180–200 mg/dl) before surgery, using insulin infusion followed by sc insulin treatment.

Biopsies from the peri-infarcted area were taken during CABG. Number of myocyte precursor cells, DNA oxidation, senescent myocyte precursor cells and cycling cardiomyocytes were analyzed.

Patients with intensive glucose control had higher MPC and cycling myocytes, as well as less oxidized and senescent MPC compared with both CGC and GIK patients.
Tight glycemic control, by reducing senescent MPC, may increase regenerative potential of the ischemic myocardium.

This work provides very useful evidence for tight glycaemic control during MI and complements the findings of the previous DIGAMI studies well. Any clinician caring for MI patients, not just endocrinologists, should be made aware of the importance of tight glycaemic control.