The association of new inflammatory markers with type 2 diabetes mellitus and macrovascular complications: a preliminary study

AIM

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not simply a disease of hyperglycemia, but also is an inflammatory disorder. This study aimed to observe the expression of inflammation-related factors in elderly T2DM patients with or without macrovascular disease (MVD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 64 T2DM patients participated in this study, including 31 patients with MVD (group A) and 33 patients without MVD (group B); and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as normal control (group C). The levels of serum irisin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and adiponectin expression were all detected and compared between groups.

RESULTS

The demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between T2DM patients and healthy volunteers. For patients in group A, the serum levels of irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin were 12.05 ± 2.12 pg/mL, 2.13 ± 0.83 µg/mL and 45.65±20.13 ng/mL, respectively. While the corresponding parameters were 26.11 ± 4.09 pg/ml, 1.54 ± 0.54 µg/ml and 57.93 ± 23.47 ng/mL for patients in group B; and were 40.25 ± 2.73 pg/mL, 0.98 ± 0.36 µg/mL and 60.03 ± 20.26 ng/mL for healthy volunteers in group C, respectively. As compared to healthy volunteers, the levels of irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin were all significantly changed in T2DM patients; and the difference in irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin between T2DM patients with and without MVD were all significant (p = 0.000, p = 0.001, and p = 0.029, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that irisin and RBP4 are both independent predictors for MVD in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory disorder is significantly in T2DM patients with MVD, and serum irisin and RBP4 would be reasonable new markers of MVD.

Guanabenz delays the onset of disease symptoms, extends lifespan, improves motor performance and attenuates motor neuron loss in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. Currently, there is no cure for this lethal disease. Although the mechanism underlying neuronal cell death in ALS remains elusive, growing evidence supports a crucial role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathogenesis of ALS. Recent reports show that guanabenz, a novel inhibitor of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) dephosphorylation, possesses anti-prion properties, attenuates ER stress and reduces paralysis and neurodegeneration in mTDP-43 Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio models of ALS. However, the therapeutic potential of guanabenz for the treatment of ALS has not yet been assessed in a mouse model of ALS. In the present study, guanabenz was administered to a widely used mouse model of ALS expressing copper zinc superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) with a glycine to alanine mutation at position 93 (G93A). The results showed that the administration of guanabenz significantly extended the lifespan, delayed the onset of disease symptoms, improved motor performance and attenuated motor neuron loss in female SOD1 G93A mice. Moreover, western blotting results revealed that guanabenz dramatically increased the levels of phosphorylated-eIF2α (P-eIF2α) protein, without affecting total eIF2α protein levels. The results also revealed a significant decrease in the levels of the ER chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (BiP/Grp78) and markers of another two ER stress pathways, activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1). In addition, guanabenz increased the protein levels of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2 (Bcl-2), and down-regulated the pro-apoptotic protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and cytochrome C in SOD1 G93A mice. Our findings indicate that guanabenz may represent a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALS, a lethal human disease with an underlying mechanism involving the attenuation of ER stress and mitochondrial stress via prolonging eIF2α phosphorylation.

Radix Astragali lowers kidney oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin

Fluctuations in glucose levels in diabetic patients can result in oxidative stress, resulting in an increased risk for diabetic complications. We investigated whether antioxidation would protect the kidney from oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin and provide evidence for the efficacy of antioxidant treatment in diabetes management. Diabetes was induced by injection of Streptozotocin intraperitoneally in male Wistar rats. Diabetic rats received either insulin, both insulin and Radix Astragali (RA), RA, or no treatment. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in kidney were determined. The changes of blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored. The levels of serum creatinine (Scr) were determined. The expression of PKCα was determined by western blot. NF-κB activation in kidney was assessed using EMSA. Compared to diabetic rats treated with insulin alone, the diabetic rats treated with combination of insulin and RA showed: (1) significantly lower levels of MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and Scr (p < 0.05); (2) significantly higher SOD and GSH-Px activities (p < 0.05); (3) significantly lower NF-κB activation and lower expression levels of PKCα (p < 0.05); (4) significantly smaller kidney-to-body weight ratio (p < 0.05). RA is an effective agent in lowering oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin. Antioxidation is beneficial in reducing the risk of kidney damage due to oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Force-induced optical nonlinearity and Kerr-like coefficient in opto-mechanical ring resonators

This paper demonstrates the optical nonlinearity in opto-mechanical ring resonators that consist of a bus waveguide and two ring resonators, which is induced by the optical gradient force and characterized by the Kerr-like coefficient. Each ring resonator has a free-hanging arc that is perpendicularly deformable by an optical gradient force and subsequently this deformation changes the effective refractive index (ERI) of the ring resonator. The change of the ERI induces optical nonlinearity into the system, which is described by an equivalent Kerr coefficient (Kerr-like coefficient). Based on the experimental results, the Kerr-like coefficient of the ring resonator system falls in the range from 7.64 × 10(-12) to 2.01 × 10(-10) m(2)W(-1), which is at least 6-order higher than the silicon's Kerr coefficient. The dramatically improved optical nonlinearity in the opto-mechanical ring resonators promises potential applications in low power optical signal processing, modulation and bio-sensing.

Characteristics and risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One hundred and forty-six female SLE patients without a history of diabetes underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test to evaluate glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function. According to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria, all patients were divided into three groups: normal glucose regulation, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Glucocorticoid doses, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function were compared among these groups. Risk factors for hyperglycemia were analyzed by univariate and multi-variate regression analysis. Our results showed that 46 of the 146 female SLE patients (31.5 %) were hyperglycemic, including 21 (14.4%) diabetes mellitus patients and 25 (17.1%) impaired glucose tolerance patients. These female SLE patients with hyperglycemia were characterized by insulin resistance and reduced pancreatic beta cell function, and they were relatively young. Age ≥35 years and high glucocorticoid doses were risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female SLE patients. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are quite high in Chinese female SLE patients. It is suggested that plasma glucose concentration should be monitored regularly and oral glucose tolerance test should be recommended for SLE patients who have risk factors for hyperglycemia.

Identification of a bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 isolated from cattle in China

The identification and characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2) strain SD-06 isolated from cattle in China is reported. We performed sequence analysis of 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and E2 sequences and the identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level indicated that the isolate was closely related to BVDV-2. The BVDV-2 strain New York'93 showed the highest sequence homology with the isolate SD-06. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate SD-06 belonged to BVDV-2a subtype. Furthermore, immunofluorescence assay with the monoclonal antibody specific for BVDV-2 glycoprotein E2 confirmed this identification. Thus, the strain SD-06 was the first isolate of BVDV-2 identified in China.

PBDD/Fs in surface sediments from the East River, China

The contamination status of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) was preliminarily investigated in surface sediments from the East River. The concentrations of eight 2,3,7,8-substituted tetra- to hexa- PBDD/Fs were found to be in the range of 0.32-110 (mean 13) pg g(-1) and the corresponding TEQ concentrations were 0.087-18 (mean 2) pg I-TEQ g(-1). All sediments were characterized by the dominant PBDFs. 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF was the most important TEQ contributor, accounting for 47%-77% of the total I-TEQ of PBDD/Fs. PCDD/Fs contributed dominantly to the total TEQs of PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in most samples except of the sediment from the Shima River. The higher PBDD/F concentrations in the Shima River may be attributed to the use of BFRs in the electrical and electronics industries, which posed a potential risk of dioxins on ecological system.

Genomic sequencing and characterization of a Chinese isolate of Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2

The complete genomic sequencing and characterization of Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) isolate XJ-04 originated from cattle in China was described. The genomic RNA of the isolate was 12,284 nt long and contained short 5'- untranslated region (UTR), 3'-non-coding regions (NCR), and one open reading frame (ORF) encoding a large polyprotein of 3,895 amino acids with 20 potential N-glycosylation sites. The identity of the isolate XJ-04 with reference strains NADL (BVDV-1) and 890 (BVDV-2) in autoprotease (N(pro)) gene and structural genes (C, E(rns), E1, E2) was analyzed. The percentage of nt and aa identity in analyzed genes indicated that the isolate XJ-04 was closer to the reference strain 890 (BVDV-2) than to NADL (BVDV-1). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to BVDV-2a subtype. Furthermore, comparison analysis indicated that the isolate XJ-04 did not contain any genomic insertions that can be directly related to the cytopathic phenotype.

Combined lithium and valproate treatment delays disease onset, reduces neurological deficits and prolongs survival in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model

Lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are two primary drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, and have been shown to have neuroprotective properties in vivo and in vitro. A recent study demonstrated that combined treatment with lithium and VPA elicits synergistic neuroprotective effects against glutamate excitotoxicity in cultured brain neurons, and the synergy involves potentiated inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity through enhanced GSK-3 serine phosphorylation [Leng Y, Liang MH, Ren M, Marinova Z, Leeds P, Chuang DM (2008) Synergistic neuroprotective effects of lithium and valproic acid or other histone deacetylase inhibitors in neurons: roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition. J Neurosci 28:2576-2588]. We therefore investigated the effects of lithium and VPA cotreatment on the disease symptom onset, survival time and neurological deficits in cooper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) G93A mutant mice, a commonly used mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The G93A ALS mice received twice daily i.p. injections with LiCl (60 mg/kg), VPA (300 mg/kg) or lithium plus VPA, starting from the 30(th) day after birth and continuing until death. We found that combined treatment with lithium and VPA produced a greater and more consistent effect in delaying the onset of disease symptoms, prolonging the lifespan and decreasing the neurological deficit scores, compared with the results of monotreatment with lithium or VPA. Moreover, lithium in conjunction with VPA was more effective than lithium or VPA alone in enhancing the immunostaining of phospho-GSK-3beta(Ser9) in brain and lumbar spinal cord sections. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of enhanced neuroprotection by a combinatorial approach using mood stabilizers in a mouse ALS model. Our results suggest that clinical trials using lithium and VPA in combination for ALS patients are a rational strategy.

Short-term lithium treatment promotes neuronal survival and proliferation in rat striatum infused with quinolinic acid, an excitotoxic model of Huntington's disease

We assessed the ability of lithium to reduce neurodegeneration and to stimulate cell proliferation in a rat model of Huntington's disease in which quinolinic acid (QA) was unilaterally infused into the striatum. LiCl (0.5-3.0 mEq/kg) was injected subcutaneously 24 h before and 1 h after QA infusion. At 7 days after QA injection, lithium significantly diminished the loss of neurons immunostained for Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) in the injured striatum, but failed to prevent the reduction of NADPH-diaphorase-positive striatal interneurons. Lithium also reduced the number of neurons showing DNA damage or activated caspase-3. This neuroprotection was associated with an upregulation of Bcl-2 protein levels in the striatal tissue and an increase in the number and density of Bcl-2 immunostaining in striatal neurons. Bromodeoxyuridinie (BrdU) labeling in the lithium-treated injured striatum revealed the presence of large numbers of proliferating cells near the QA-injection site, with a reduction of BrdU-labeled cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ). All BrdU-labeled cells in the SVZ and the majority of BrdU-labeled cells near the QA-injection site were negative for either NeuN or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), suggesting that they are undifferentiated progenitor cells. However, a small number of BrdU-positive cells found in the QA-injected and lithium-treated striatum site were positive for either NeuN or GFAP. Our results suggest that lithium is neuroprotective in the QA-injection model of Huntington's disease not only due to its ability to inhibit apoptosis but also because it can stimulate neuronal and astroglial progenitor proliferation in the QA-injected striatum or their migration from the SVZ.

Cinnamon extract prevents the insulin resistance induced by a high-fructose diet

The aim of this study was to determine whether cinnamon extract (CE) would improve the glucose utilization in normal male Wistar rats fed a high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or without CE added to the drinking water (300 mg/kg/day). In vivo glucose utilization was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique. Further analyses on the possible changes in insulin signaling occurring in skeletal muscle were performed afterwards by Western blotting. At 3 mU/kg/min insulin infusions, the decreased glucose infusion rate (GIR) in HFD-fed rats (60 % of controls, p < 0.01) was improved by CE administration to the same level of controls (normal chow diet) and the improving effect of CE on the GIR of HFD-fed rats was blocked by approximately 50 % by N-monometyl-L-arginine. The same tendency was found during the 30 mU/kg/min insulin infusions. There were no differences in skeletal muscle insulin receptor (IR)-beta, IR substrate (IRS)-1, or phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase protein content in any groups. However, the muscular insulin-stimulated IR-beta and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels and IRS-1 associated with PI 3-kinase in HFD-fed rats were only 70 +/- 9 %, 76 +/- 5 %, and 72 +/- 6 % of controls (p < 0.05), respectively, and these decreases were significantly improved by CE treatment. These results suggest that early CE administration to HFD-fed rats would prevent the development of insulin resistance at least in part by enhancing insulin signaling and possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal muscle.

[New type pathogenic mycoplasmas isolated from female patients with genital infection in Nanjing, China]

OBJECTIVE

To study if infection of new type pathogenic mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma penetrans (Mpe), Mycoplasma fermentans (Mf), and Mycoplasma pirum (Mpi), exists in the genital tract of gynecologic patients with genital infection in China so as to provide information for clinical diagnosis and therapy.

METHODS

Cervical secretions from 172 patients with infectious diaseses of gentital tract and 172 healthy controls were collected and inoculated in improved SP-4 culture medium. Biochemical reaction, coagglutination test, metabolism-inhibition test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and DNA sequencing were employed to identify the isolated microorganisms.

RESULTS

One strain of Mycoplasma penetrans (0.58%) and two strains of Mycoplasma fermentans (1.16%) were isolated from the cervical secretions of patients, but none was found in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Mpe infection and Mf infection exist in female patients with genital infection in Nanjing.

Nuclear reconstitution of plant (Orychophragmus violaceus) demembranated sperm in cell-free extracts from animal (Xenopus laevis) eggs

Cell-free extracts from animal Xenopus laevis egg could induce chromatin decondensation and pronuclear formation from demembranated plant (Orychophragmus violaceus) sperm. When incubated with Xenopus egg extracts, the demembranated sperm began to swell and then gradually decondensed. The assembly of the nuclear envelope in the reconstituted nuclei was visualized by means of electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Membrane vesicles fused to form the double envelope around the periphery of the decondensed chromatin. The morphology of the newly formed nuclei, with a double membrane, was similar to that of nuclei after fertilization. The electron micrograph of the whole-mount prepared nuclear matrix--lamina showed the reconstituted nucleus to be filled with a dense network.

[The influence of hydraulic characteristics on wastewater purifying efficiency in vertical flow constructed wetlands]

The hydraulic characteristics of vertical flow constructed wetlands was investigated, and the influence of these characteristics on wastewater purifying efficiency was studied as an emphasis. The results of the experiments in small scale plots and medium scale plots showed the plant roots, with the physical and biological effects, play a significant role in hydraulics and the wastewater purifying efficiency. The other characteristics such as retention time, effluent velocity and influent load also directly affect the wastewater purifying efficiency of constructed wetland. To get a better understanding of the hydraulics will be crucial to the improvement of purifying efficiency and facilitate the practical use of constructed wetland.

Prostaglandin A(1) protects striatal neurons against excitotoxic injury in rat striatum

Prostaglandin A(1) (PGA1) reportedly inhibits NF-kappaB activation and induces expression of heat shock proteins. Since both these effects could be neuroprotective, the therapeutic potential of PGA1 in neurodegenerative disorders, where excitotoxicity may contribute to pathogenesis, was evaluated in rat striatal neurons exposed to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist quinolinic acid (QA). Intrastriatal administration of PGA1 (5-80 nmol) attenuated QA (60 nmol)-induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The inhibitory effects of a single dose of PGA1 (80 nmol) on QA (60 nmol)-induced DNA fragmentation were observed 12 to 48 h after treatment. PGA1 (80 nmol) also attenuated QA-induced DNA fragmentation when administered up to 4 h after QA exposure. PGA1 significantly decreased the loss of D1 dopamine receptors and GAD(67) mRNA in QA-injected striatum as measured by quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization histochemistry, suggesting that it reduced the neuronal loss induced by QA. Protection of striatal neurons against QA-induced death by PGA1 was further indicated by Nissl staining 10 days after QA administration. PGA1 (5-80 nmol) significantly inhibited QA-induced NF-kappaB activation by blocking inhibitory kappaB-alpha degradation but had no effect on activator protein-1 binding activity. PGA1 (80 nmol) treatment substantially increased 70- and 72-kDa heat shock protein levels in striatum. These results indicate that PGA1 blunts NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal apoptosis by a mechanism possibly involving the up-regulation of neuroprotective heat shock proteins and inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. In view of its potent neuroprotective activity, PGA1 could prove useful in the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders related to excitotoxicity.