Diabetes-Related Dementia

Diabetes and Cognitive Decline: An Innovative Approach to Analyzing the Biophysical and Vibrational Properties of the Hippocampus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes represents a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, which leads to progressive mental, behavioral, and functional decline, affecting many brain structures, especially the hippocampus. Here, we aim to characterize the ultrastructural, nanomechanical, and vibrational changes in hyperglycemic hippocampal tissue using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. DM was induced in rats by streptozotocin injection (type 1) or dietary intervention (type 2). Cryosections of the hippocampus were prepared and analyzed on an MM8 AFM (Bruker) in Peak Force Quantitative Nanomechanics mode, performing 25 μm2 scans in 9 regions of 3 samples from each group. Ultrastructural and nanomechanical data such as surface roughness, area, volume, Young's modulus, and adhesion were evaluated. The hippocampal samples were also analyzed on a T64000 Spectrometer (Horiba), using a laser λ = 632.8 nm, and for each sample, four spectra were obtained in different regions. AFM analyses show changes on the ultrastructural scale since diabetic animals had hippocampal tissue with greater roughness and volume. Meanwhile, diabetic tissues had decreased adhesion and Young's modulus compared to control tissues. These were corroboratedby Raman data that shows changes in the molecular composition of diabetic tissues. The individual spectra show that the most significant changes are in the amide, cholesterol, and lipid bands. Overall, the data presented here show that hyperglycemia induces biophysical alterations in the hippocampal tissue of diabetic rats, providing novel biophysical and vibrational cues on the relationship between hyperglycemia and dementia.

Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Associated With Antidiabetics: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Dementia risk is substantially elevated in patients with diabetes. However, evidence on dementia risk associated with various antidiabetic regimens is still limited. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with various antidiabetic classes.

METHODS

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2024 (PROSPERO CRD 42022365927). Observational studies investigating dementia and AD incidences after antidiabetic initiation were identified. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to determine dementia and AD risks associated with antidiabetics. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews-Network Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-NMA) guidelines were followed. Statistical analysis was performed and updated in November 2023 and March 2024, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 1,565,245 patients from 16 studies were included. Dementia and AD risks were significantly lower with metformin and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Metformin displayed the lowest risk of dementia across diverse antidiabetics, whereas α-glucosidase inhibitors demonstrated the highest risk. SGLT2i exhibited the lowest dementia risk across second-line antidiabetics. Dementia risk was significantly higher with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones (TZD) compared to SGLT2i in the elderly (≥75 years). Dementia risk associated with metformin was substantially lower, regardless of diabetic complication status or baseline A1C.

DISCUSSION

Metformin and SGLT2i demonstrated lower dementia risk than other antidiabetic classes. Patient-specific factors may affect this relationship and cautious interpretation is warranted as metformin is typically initiated at an earlier stage with fewer complications. Hence, further large-scaled clinical trials are required.

Metformin in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus: dose-dependent dementia risk reduction

This study aimed to investigate the controversial association between metformin use and diabetes-associated dementia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and evaluate the potential protective effects of metformin, as well as its intensity of use and dose-dependency, against dementia in this population. The study used a time-dependent Cox hazards model to evaluate the effect of metformin use on the incidence of dementia. The case group included elderly patients with T2DM (≥60 years old) who received metformin, while the control group consisted of elderly patients with T2DM who did not receive metformin during the follow-up period. Our analysis revealed a significant reduction in the risk of dementia among elderly individuals using metformin, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.34 (95% confidence interval: 0.33 to 0.36). Notably, metformin users with a daily intensity of 1 defined daily dose (DDD) or higher had a lower risk of dementia, with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.46 (0.22 to 0.6), compared to those with a daily intensity of <1 DDD. Additionally, the analysis of cumulative DDDs of metformin showed a dose-response relationship, with progressively lower adjusted hazard ratio across quartiles (0.15, 0.21, 0.28, and 0.53 for quartiles 4, 3, 2 and 1, respectively), compared to never metformin users (P for trend < 0.0001). Metformin use in elderly patients with T2DM is significantly associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of dementia. Notably, the protective effect of metformin demonstrates a dose-dependent relationship, with higher daily and cumulative dosages of metformin showing a greater risk reduction.

Adapted diabetes complications severity index predicts dementia risk in ageing type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

This study investigated the link between the adapted diabetes complication severity index at the time of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis and diabetes-induced dementia risk in elderly patients. Elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (age ≥ 60) were matched using propensity score matching. Cox regression was used to determine dementia hazard ratios; Kaplan-Meier method to assess cumulative incidence. The cohort included 256 214 elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Adapted diabetes complication severity index ≥ 1 showed higher dementia risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.27-1.34), increasing by 1.17-fold per adapted diabetes complication severity index point. Dementia risk rose progressively across adapted diabetes complication severity index scores (P < 0.0001). Higher adapted diabetes complication severity index scores at the time of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis elevated dementia risk in elderly patients. Adapted diabetes complication severity index ≥ 1 is linked to increased dementia risk. Adapted diabetes complication severity index evaluation at the time of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis could predict risk, aiding early interventions. Effective diabetes management is crucial for reducing dementia risk in this population.

Establishing the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a health belief model based educational training program on health belief perceptions and dementia-preventive behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes

This quasi-experimental study evaluated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of dementia-preventive educational training intervention program based on the health belief model for improving perceived health beliefs and dementia-preventive behaviors among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Two community hospitals with 72 eligible participants were chosen from 12 local institutions using simple random sampling method. One hospital (22 patients) was allocated to dementia-preventive educational training intervention, and the other hospital (23 patients) was allocated to control intervention (using simple random sampling). Primary study outcome was feasibility, and secondary outcomes were changes in dementia prevention behaviors and health belief perceptions. Recruitment rate was 62.5% (45/72) and 22 patients in each group totally completed outcome measures and attended sessions, indicating feasibility of the intervention and study design. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. After training, participants in the intervention group had significantly higher scores than control group in prevention behaviors and perceptions of health beliefs. The intervention group experienced significant with-group changes in outcomes. Results show that conducting a subsequent fully powered experimental study is feasible, and the intervention has promising efficacy.

Association of Postoperative Delirium With Incident Dementia and Graft Outcomes Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplant (KT) recipients have numerous risk factors for delirium, including those shared with the general surgical population (eg, age and major surgery) and transplant-specific factors (eg, neurotoxic immunosuppression medications). Evidence has linked delirium to long-term dementia risk in older adults undergoing major surgery. We sought to characterize dementia risk associated with post-KT delirium.

METHODS

Using the United States Renal Data System datasets, we identified 35 800 adult first-time KT recipients ≥55 y. We evaluated risk factors for delirium using logistic regression. We evaluated the association between delirium and incident dementia (overall and by subtype: Alzheimer's, vascular, and other/mixed-type), graft loss, and death using Fine and Gray's subhazards models and Cox regression.

RESULTS

During the KT hospitalization, 0.9% of recipients were diagnosed with delirium. Delirium risk factors included age (OR = 1.40, 95% CI, 1.28-1.52) and diabetes (OR = 1.38, 95% CI, 1.10-1.73). Delirium was associated with higher risk of death-censored graft loss (aHR = 1.52, 95% CI, 1.12-2.05) and all-cause mortality (aHR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.25-1.89) at 5 y post-KT. Delirium was also associated with higher risk of dementia (adjusted subhazard ratio [aSHR] = 4.59, 95% CI, 3.48-6.06), particularly vascular dementia (aSHR = 2.51, 95% CI, 1.01-6.25) and other/mixed-type dementia (aSHR = 5.58, 95% CI, 4.24-7.62) subtypes. The risk of all-type dementia associated with delirium was higher for younger recipients aged between 55 and 64 y ( Pinteraction  = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium is a strong risk factor for subsequent diagnosis of dementia among KT recipients, particularly those aged between 55 and 64 y at the time of transplant. Patients experiencing posttransplant delirium might benefit from early interventions to enhance cognitive health and surveillance for cognitive impairment to enable early referral for dementia care.

Risk of dementia in the elderly with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A nested case-control study in the Republic of Korea

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome of which diabetes is an important component. Although diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, studies on the association between NAFLD and dementia still produce conflicting results. This study aimed to determine whether NAFLD would be a risk factor for the development of dementia in an elderly population.

Method

This study included 107,369 subjects aged ≥60 years in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort, entered in 2009 and followed up until 2015. NAFLD was diagnosed by calculating fatty liver index (FLI). Subjects were screened for dementia at baseline using a Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire, and dementia was diagnosed using ICD-10 codes. Controls were randomly selected at a ratio of 1:5 from individuals who were at risk of becoming the case subjects at the time of selection.

Results

From 107,369 subjects, 65,690 stroke- and dementia-free subjects without chronic hepatitis B or C or excessive alcohol drinking were selected for evaluation. Having NAFLD, determined by FLI, was associated with increased risk of dementia development (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.493; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.214-1.836). The increased risk of dementia in NAFLD subjects was independent of type 2 diabetes (AOR 1.421; 95% CI 1.013-1.994, in subjects with diabetes: AOR 1.540; 95% CI 1.179- 2.010, in subjects without diabetes).

Conclusion

In this population-based nested case-control study, having NAFLD increased the risk of dementia in elderly individuals, independent of accompanying diabetes.

Unraveling the link: exploring the causal relationship between diabetes, multiple sclerosis, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease through Mendelian randomization

Introduction

Observational studies suggested that diabetes mellitus [type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)], multiple sclerosis (MS), and migraine are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the causal link has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we aim to assess the causal link between T1DM, T2DM, MS, and migraine with the risk of AD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

Genetic instruments were identified for AD, T1DM, T2DM, MS, and migraine respectively from genome-wide association study. MR analysis was conducted mainly using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method.

Results

The result of IVW method demonstrated that T2DM is causally associated with risk of AD (OR: 1.237, 95% CI: 1.099-1.391, P: 0.0003). According to the IVW method, there is no causal association between TIDM, MS, migraine, and the risk of AD (all p value > 0.05). Here we show, there is a causal link between T2DM and the risk of AD.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the significance of active monitoring and prevention of AD in T2DM patients. Further studies are required to actively search for the risk factors of T2DM combined with AD, explore the markers that can predict T2DM combined with AD, and intervene and treat early.

Research Progress on Lipocalin-2 in Diabetic Encephalopathy

Diabetic encephalopathy is a central nervous complication of diabetes mellitus which is characterized by cognitive impairment and structural and neurochemical abnormalities, which is easily neglected. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a 25 kDa transporter in the lipocalin family that can transport small molecules, including fatty acids, iron, steroids, and lipopolysaccharides in the circulation. Recently, LCN2 has been found to be a significant regulator of insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis. Numerous studies have shown that LCN2 is connected to central nervous system abnormalities, including neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, while the latest researches have found that LCN2 is closely related to the development of diabetic encephalopathy. Nevertheless, its precise role in the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy remains to be determined. In this paper, we review recent evidence on the role of LCN2 in diabetic encephalopathy from multiple perspectives in order to decipher the impact of LCN2 in both the aetiology and treatment of diabetic encephalopathy.

Unveiling new secrets in Parkinson's disease: The glycatome

We are witnessing a considerable increase in the incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD), which may be due to the general ageing of the population. While there is a plethora of therapeutic strategies for this disease, they still fail to arrest disease progression as they do not target and prevent the neurodegenerative process. The identification of disease-causing mutations allowed researchers to better dissect the underlying causes of this disease, highlighting, for example, the pathogenic role of alpha-synuclein. However, most PD cases are sporadic, which is making it hard to unveil the major causative mechanisms of this disease. In the recent years, epidemiological evidence suggest that type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals have higher risk and worst outcomes of PD, allowing to raise the hypothesis that some dysregulated processes in T2DM may contribute or even trigger the neurodegenerative process in PD. One major consequence of T2DM is the unprogrammed reaction between sugars, increased in T2DM, and proteins, a reaction named glycation. Pre-clinical reports show that alpha-synuclein is a target of glycation, and glycation potentiates its pathogenicity which contributes for the neurodegenerative process. Moreover, it triggers, anticipates, or aggravates several PD-like motor and non-motor complications. A given profile of proteins are differently glycated in diseased conditions, altering the brain proteome and leading to brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Herein we coin the term Glycatome as the profile of glycated proteins. In this review we report on the mechanisms underlying the association between T2DM and PD, with particular focus on the impact of protein glycation.

Cognitive impairment with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among community-dwelling older adults in Chile: Prevalence, risk factors and cognitive characteristics

Introduction

The aim of this study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of Cognitive Impairment (CI) and its association with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in subjects aged 65 years and above. Additionally, we attempt to provide a cognitive profile for T2DM group.

Methodology

A cross-sectional analytical study to assess CI was carried out. We evaluated a sample of community-dwelling residents from Chile. All participants underwent a general interview, lifestyle questionnaires and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk of CI with T2DM and influencing factors. Results between groups in the different domains of the neuropsychological assessment were compared by Student's t-tests and MANOVA.

Results

Among all 358 subjects, overall T2DM prevalence were 17.3%. The prevalence of CI was higher in T2DM group compared to the healthy participants (30.7%, p < 0.001). The risk of CI was 2.8 times higher in older people with T2DM compared to older people without the diagnosis. Multiple regression analysis, adjusted for age and gender, demonstrated that age, education, presence of dyslipidemia, and T2DM duration were the predictor variables significantly associated with CI. T2DM group performed worse on global cognitive performance, attention, language, verbal memory, visual memory, visual constructional ability, and executive function. After adjusting for significant covariates from multiple regression analysis, a relationship between "cognition" and T2DM is still observed. Amnesic multi-domain impairment was the specific cognitive identified pattern for T2DM group.

Conclusion

The present study confirms the high prevalence of CI with T2DM among Chilean older adults in a community-based population. T2DM is significantly associated with a higher risk of CI, and age, education, presence of dyslipidemia, and duration of T2DM are risk factors. T2DM patients with CI are impaired in multiple cognitive domains, even after adjusting covariables, resulting in an amnesic multi-domain cognitive profile.

The ABA/LANCL Hormone/Receptor System in the Control of Glycemia, of Cardiomyocyte Energy Metabolism, and in Neuroprotection: A New Ally in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus?

Abscisic acid (ABA), long known as a plant stress hormone, is present and functionally active in organisms other than those pertaining to the land plant kingdom, including cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, protozoan parasites, lower Metazoa, and mammals. The ancient, cross-kingdom role of this stress hormone allows ABA and its signaling pathway to control cell responses to environmental stimuli in diverse organisms such as marine sponges, higher plants, and humans. Recent advances in our knowledge about the physiological role of ABA and of its mammalian receptors in the control of energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in myocytes, adipocytes, and neuronal cells allow us to foresee therapeutic applications for ABA in the fields of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and cardio- and neuro-protection. Vegetal extracts titrated in their ABA content have shown both efficacy and tolerability in preliminary clinical studies. As the prevalence of glucose intolerance, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases is steadily increasing in both industrialized and rapidly developing countries, new and cost-efficient therapeutics to combat these ailments are much needed to ensure disease-free aging for the current and future working generations.

The effects of physical activity on glutamate neurotransmission in neuropsychiatric disorders

Physical activity (PA) is an effective way of increasing cognitive and emotional health and counteracting many psychiatric conditions. Numerous neurobiological models for depression have emerged in the past 30 years but many struggle to incorporate the effects of exercise. The hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex (PFC) containing predominantly glutamate neurotransmission, are the centres of changes seen in depression. There is therefore increasing interest in glutamatergic systems which offers new paradigms of understanding mechanisms connecting physical activity, stress, inflammation and depression, not explained by the serotonin theories of depression. Similar hippocampal glutamate dysfunction is observed in many other neuropsychiatric conditions. Excitatory glutamate neurones have high functionality, but also high ATP requirements and are therefore vulnerable to glucocorticoid or pro-inflammatory stress that causes mitochondrial dysfunction, with synaptic loss, culminating in depressed mood and cognition. Exercise improves mitochondrial function, angiogenesis and synaptogenesis. Within the glutamate hypothesis of depression, the mechanisms of stress and inflammation have been extensively researched, but PA as a mitigator is less understood. This review examines the glutamatergic mechanisms underlying depression and the evidence of physical activity interventions within this framework. A dynamic glutamate-based homeostatic model is suggested whereby stress, neuroinflammation and PA form counterbalancing influences on hippocampal cell functionality, which manifests as depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions when homeostasis is disrupted.

Receptors for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE): Promising Targets Aiming at the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Conditions

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are compounds formed after the non-enzymatic addition of reducing sugars to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. They are associated with the development of various clinical complications observed in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and others. In addition, compelling evidence indicates that these molecules participate in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Multiple cellular and molecular alterations triggered by AGEs that could alter homeostasis have been identified. One of the main targets for AGE signaling is the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). Importantly, this receptor is the target of not only AGEs, but also amyloid β peptides, HMGB1 (high-mobility group box-1), members of the S100 protein family, and glycosaminoglycans. The activation of this receptor induces intracellular signaling cascades that are involved in pathological processes and cell death. Therefore, RAGE represents a key target for pharmacological interventions in neurodegenerative diseases. This review will discuss the various effects of AGEs and RAGE activation in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the currently available pharmacological tools and promising drug candidates.

Soluble TREM2 and Alzheimer-related biomarker trajectories in the blood of patients with diabetes based on their cognitive status

AIM

We aimed to elucidate the dynamics of blood biomarkers according to the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to identify useful biomarkers for diabetes-related dementia.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, nested case-control study of 121 Japanese DM and non-DM patients with different levels of cognitive functioning. We evaluated participants' cognitive functions, blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease, and soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2). We then compared these biomarkers between the DM and non-DM and across the different cognitive strata.

RESULTS

In all cognitive strata, significantly lower levels of serum sTREM2 were observed in the DM than in the non-DM. We also found that plasma levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) increased with increasing levels of cognitive decline in both the DM and non-DM. However, this was accompanied by a decrease in plasma amyloid-β(Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios in non-DM only.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed novel characteristic trajectories of dementia-related blood biomarkers in diabetes-related dementia, suggesting the pathological involvement of molecular cascades initiated by impaired microglial activation. This results in decreased serum sTREM2, followed by tauopathy without substantial amyloid plaques, reflected by plasma p-tau elevation with no decrease in the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. Clinical trials (the unique trial number and the name of the registry): UMIN000048032, https://www.umin.ac.jp.

Improvement of brain perfusion in patients with chronic brain ischemia at epidural spinal cord electrical stimulation

Objective

Increasing life expectancy and aging of the population is accompanied by a steady increase in the number of elderly patients with chronic cerebral ischemia and age-related cognitive impairment associated with cerebral hypoperfusion and microangiopathy. The aim of this study was to identify long-term changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia at the epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (SCS).

Materials and methods

Changes in cerebral blood flow were studied according to CT perfusion in 59 patients (aged 55–78 years) with vertebrogenic pain syndromes and chronic cerebral ischemia during epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord at the cervical (C3–C5) and lower thoracic (Th9–Th10) levels.

Results

In all patients, on the 5th day of trial SCS, an increase in cerebral blood flow by from 58.6 ± 1.13 ml/100 ml/min to 64.8 ± 1.21 ml/100 ml/min (p < 0.01) with stimulation at the Th9-Th10 level and from 58.8 ± 1.12 ml/100 ml/min to 68.2 ± 1.42 ml/100 ml/min (p < 0, 01) with stimulation at the C3-C5 level. These changes in brain perfusion were preserved during the follow-up examination 1 year after the implantation of chronic SCS system. The greatest increase in CBF was registered in the frontotemporal regions, subcortical structures and white matter of the brain. Changes in cerebral perfusion did not correlate with the degree of reduction in the severity of the accompanying pain syndrome. The change in CBF in the control group (32 patients) in all periods was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Our results show that SCS is accompanied by a persistent improvement in brain perfusion, which may be potentially useful for developing methods for reducing age-related vascular disorders in the elderly.

Efficacy of intranasal insulin in improving cognition in mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Insulin regulates many aspects of brain function related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, which can be delivered to the brain center via intranasal (IN) devices. Some small, single-site studies indicated that intranasal insulin can enhance memory in patients with MCI or dementia. The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) overlap, making insulin an attractive therapy for people suffering from MCI or dementia.

Objective

The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of IN insulin on cognition in patients with MCI or dementia.

Methods

We searched the electronic database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that verified the effects of insulin on patients with MCI or dementia.16 studies (899 patients) were identified.

Results

The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) showed no significant difference between IN insulin and placebo groups; however, statistical results suggested a difference between study groups in the effects of ADCS-ADL; AD patients with APOE4 (-) also showed improved performance in verbal memory; other cognitions did not improve significantly.

Conclusion

In view of IN insulin's promising potential, more researches should be conducted at a larger dose after proper selection of insulin types and patients.

Systematic review registration

http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022353546.

Decline in skeletal muscle mass is associated with cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To examine the longitudinal association between skeletal muscle mass (SMM) loss and cognitive decline over time in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 453 patients from SMART2D cohort with follow-up intervals of 1.6 to 6.4 years. Baseline and follow-up measurements included bio-impedance analysis (BIA) measure of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) measure of cognitive function. We examined the association between annual rate of SMI and RBANS scores using linear regression, adjusting for demographics, education, depression, clinical co-variables and presence of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE) _Ɛ4 allele.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 60.3 ± 7.4 years. Compared to patients with Tertile 1 SMI change, the group with greater SMI decline (Tertile 3 SMI change) experienced 0.30 decline in RBANS total score (95%CI -0.57 to -0.03; p = 0.030) in the adjusted analysis. RBANS scores for subdomains in immediate memory and visuo-spatial/construction were lower in Tertile 3 SMI change group with corresponding coefficients -0.54 (95%CI -1.01 to -0.06; p = 0.026), and -0.71 (95%CI -1.30 to -0.12; p = 0.019) respectively.

CONCLUSION

In patients with T2DM, BIA measure of muscle mass loss over time was independently associated with cognitive decline globally and in the domains of memory and visuo-spatial/construction.

The “Diabetes Comorbidome”: A Different Way for Health Professionals to Approach the Comorbidity Burden of Diabetes

(1) Background: The disease burden related to diabetes is increasing greatly, particularly in older subjects. A more comprehensive approach towards the assessment and management of diabetes’ comorbidities is necessary. The aim of this study was to implement our previous data identifying and representing the prevalence of the comorbidities, their association with mortality, and the strength of their relationship in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes, developing, at the same time, a new graphic representation model of the comorbidome called “Diabetes Comorbidome”. (2) Methods: Data were collected from the RePoSi register. Comorbidities, socio-demographic data, severity and comorbidity indexes (Cumulative Illness rating Scale CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI), and functional status (Barthel Index), were recorded. Mortality rates were assessed in hospital and 3 and 12 months after discharge. (3) Results: Of the 4714 hospitalized elderly patients, 1378 had diabetes. The comorbidities distribution showed that arterial hypertension (57.1%), ischemic heart disease (31.4%), chronic renal failure (28.8%), atrial fibrillation (25.6%), and COPD (22.7%), were the more frequent in subjects with diabetes. The graphic comorbidome showed that the strongest predictors of death at in hospital and at the 3-month follow-up were dementia and cancer. At the 1-year follow-up, cancer was the first comorbidity independently associated with mortality. (4) Conclusions: The “Diabetes Comorbidome” represents the perfect instrument for determining the prevalence of comorbidities and the strength of their relationship with risk of death, as well as the need for an effective treatment for improving clinical outcomes.

HMGB1 signaling pathway in diabetes-related dementia: Blood-brain barrier breakdown, brain insulin resistance, and Aβ accumulation

Diabetes contributes to the onset of various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the similarities and relationship between diabetes and dementia as an important issue for treating diabetes-related cognitive deficits. Diabetes-related dementia exhibits several features, including blood-brain barrier disruption, brain insulin resistance, and Aβ over-accumulation. High-mobility group box1 (HMGB1) is a protein known to regulate gene transcription and cellular mechanisms by binding to DNA or chromatin via receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Recent studies have demonstrated that the interplay between HMGB1, RAGE, and TLR4 can impact both neuropathology and diabetic alterations. Herein, we review the recent research regarding the roles of HMGB1-RAGE-TLR4 axis in diabetes-related dementia from several perspectives and emphasize the importance of the influence of HMGB1 in diabetes-related dementia.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Daily Functioning and Cognition of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Evaluated by DASC-21

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has also been pointed out that AD associated with DM may have unique characteristics. However, the characteristics of impairment in daily functioning when associated with DM have not been sufficiently investigated. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In the present study, we compared the characteristics of 261 patients with AD diagnosed in the outpatient memory clinic of a university hospital, divided into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The MMSE was used to assess cognitive function, and the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 21-items (DASC-21) was used as an observational method to assess cognitive function and activities of daily livings. The two groups were compared. Furthermore, simple and multiple regression analysis was carried out in order to find the independent association of age, sex, education, DM, and HbA1c with the DASC-21 and each individual item of the DASC-21. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Diabetic subjects were as follows: MMSE 18.8 ± 4.0, DASC-21 46.0 ± 13.2, and HbA1c 7.07 ± 1.24%, respectively. On the other hand, nondiabetic subjects were as follows: MMSE 19.0 ± 4.5 and DASC-21 42.1 ± 12.2, respectively. In the diabetic group, total score of DASC-21 was higher (DM vs. nondiabetes mellitus [NDM]: 46.0 ± 13.2 vs. 42.1 ± 12.2; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) and solving issues and common sense on the DASC-21 were higher than in the nondiabetic group (NDM) (DM vs. NDM: 8.58 ± 2.71 vs. 7.76 ± 2.66; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of DM was the significant determinant of solving issues and common sense on the DASC-21 (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In AD patients, DM may be associated with impairment of solving issues and common sense.

The association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and incident dementia: A nationwide population-based longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association of the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and incident dementia remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of incident dementia with the use of SGLT2 inhibitor.

METHODS

This is a population-based cohort study utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Each patient who took SGLT2 inhibitors was assigned to the SGLT2 inhibitor group, whereas 1:1 propensity score-matched randomly selected patients who were nonusers of SGLT2 inhibitors were assigned to the non-SGLT2 inhibitor group. The study outcome was incident dementia.

RESULTS

A total of 976,972 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) between 2011 and 2018 were included in this study. After the patients' propensity score matching by age, sex, duration of DM, comorbidities and drug index date of the patients, a total of 103,247 patients in the SGLT2 inhibitor group and 103,247 in the non-SGLT2 inhibitor group were enrolled for analysis. The SGLT2 inhibitor group was associated with a lower risk of incident dementia (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.82-0.96; p = .0021). Diabetic complications were significantly lower in the SGLT2 inhibitor group compared with the non-SGLT2 group. Sensitivity analysis was also consistent with the main analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with type 2 DM who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of incident dementia compared with those not prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors in real-world practice.

Linking hIAPP misfolding and aggregation with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a structural perspective

There are over 40 identified human disorders that involve certain proteins folding incorrectly, accumulating in the body causing damage to cells and organs and causing disease. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of these protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) and involves human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) misfolding and accumulating in parts of the body, primarily in the pancreas, causing damage to islet cells and affecting glucose regulation. In this review, we have summarised our current understanding of what causes hIAPP to misfold, what conformations are found in different parts of the body with a particular focus on what is known about the structure of hIAPP and how this links to T2DM. Understanding the molecular basis behind these misfolding events is essential for understanding the role of hIAPP to develop better therapeutics since type 2 diabetes currently affects over 4.9 million people in the United Kingdom alone and is predicted to increase as our population ages.

α-Lipoic Acid Strengthens the Antioxidant Barrier and Reduces Oxidative, Nitrosative, and Glycative Damage, as well as Inhibits Inflammation and Apoptosis in the Hypothalamus but Not in the Cerebral Cortex of Insulin-Resistant Rats

The research determined the role of α-lipoic acid (ALA) in reducing the brain manifestations of insulin resistance. The mechanism of ALA action is mainly based on its ability to “scavenge” oxygen free radicals and stimulate biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), considered the most critical brain antioxidant. Although the protective effect of ALA is widely documented in various diseases, there are still no studies assessing the influence of ALA on brain metabolism in the context of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The experiment was conducted on male Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet for ten weeks with intragastric administration of ALA for four weeks. We are the first to demonstrate that ALA improves the function of enzymatic and nonenzymatic brain antioxidant systems, but the protective effects of ALA were mainly observed in the hypothalamus of insulin-resistant rats. Indeed, ALA caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities, as well as GSH concentration and redox potential ([GSH]²/[GSSG]) in the hypothalamus of HFD-fed rats. A consequence of antioxidant barrier enhancement by ALA is the reduction of oxidation, glycation, and nitration of brain proteins, lipids, and DNA. The protective effects of ALA result from hypothalamic activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-κB. In the hypothalamus of insulin-resistant rats, we demonstrated reduced levels of oxidation (AOPP) and glycation (AGE) protein products, 4-hydroxynoneal, 8-isoprostanes, and 3-nitrotyrosine and, in the cerebral cortex, lower levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and peroxynitrite. In addition, we demonstrated that ALA decreases levels of proinflammatory TNF-α but also increases the synthesis of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in the hypothalamus of insulin-resistant rats. ALA also prevents neuronal apoptosis, confirming its multidirectional effects within the brain. Interestingly, we have shown no correlation between brain and serum/plasma oxidative stress biomarkers, indicating the different nature of redox imbalance at the central and systemic levels. To summarize, ALA improves antioxidant balance and diminishes oxidative/glycative stress, protein nitrosative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis, mainly in the hypothalamus of insulin-resistant rats. Further studies are needed to determine the molecular mechanism of ALA action within the brain.

Hypothyroidism and Diabetes-Related Dementia: Focused on Neuronal Dysfunction, Insulin Resistance, and Dyslipidemia

The incidence of dementia is steadily increasing worldwide. The risk factors for dementia are diverse, and include genetic background, environmental factors, sex differences, and vascular abnormalities. Among the subtypes of dementia, diabetes-related dementia is emerging as a complex type of dementia related to metabolic imbalance, due to the increase in the number of patients with metabolic syndrome and dementia worldwide. Thyroid hormones are considered metabolic regulatory hormones and affect various diseases, such as liver failure, obesity, and dementia. Thyroid dysregulation affects various cellular mechanisms and is linked to multiple disease pathologies. In particular, hypothyroidism is considered a critical cause for various neurological problems-such as metabolic disease, depressive symptoms, and dementia-in the central nervous system. Recent studies have demonstrated the relationship between hypothyroidism and brain insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, leading to diabetes-related dementia. Therefore, we reviewed the relationship between hypothyroidism and diabetes-related dementia, with a focus on major features of diabetes-related dementia such as insulin resistance, neuronal dysfunction, and dyslipidemia.

Perception of benefits and barriers associated with dementia prevention behaviors among people with diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for developing dementia and a public health concern around the world. Identifying any predictive factors associated with diabetes-related dementia prevention behaviors are of value in helping to prevent dementia. From six community hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 182 people aged 30-60 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and completed a written questionnaire on dementia prevention behaviors and perceptions of health beliefs. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine possible associations between dementia prevention behaviors and health belief perceptions. A high level of preventive behavior was associated with high perceptions of the benefits of, and barriers to, dementia prevention and longer duration of patients' diabetes. Findings indicate the predictive role of the two factors in the perception of health beliefs about dementia prevention behaviors among the participants. Although further testing with different samples and in different locations is warranted, education programs for health practitioners that integrate the findings of this study would be beneficial to improvement of dementia prevention behaviors in people with diabetes.

Diabetes-Specific Dementia: A Structured Literature Review of Cognitive Assessment Methods

Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for the development of multiple subtypes of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Recent research identifies a cause-specific diabetes-related dementia with a unique set of characteristics. Currently, there is no standard cognitive assessment battery recommended to specifically assess dementia that is a direct consequence of chronic diabetes, and some evaluations have been used for decades with minimal revisions, regardless of appropriateness. We performed a systematic review of the dementia/cognition evaluation methods most commonly used in the literature for assessing diabetic patients and identified which cognitive domains are typically assessed in this setting, and whether cognitive changes were more reflective of a vascular pathology, Alzheimer's pathology, or something else entirely. Search results yielded 1089 articles. After screening for appropriateness, a total of 11 full-text articles were assessed. In general, subjects in the reviewed studies were assessed using a variety of testing methods, examining different combinations of cognitive domains. A standard, clear definition of which cognitive domains are the most important to assess in diabetic patients is needed in order to determine what combination of assessment tools are most pertinent. Given the growing subset of the US population, careful reconsideration of cognitive assessment methods is needed to create self-care plans that take into account a specific collection of cognitive challenges for those with diabetes.

The Citrus Flavonoid Hesperetin Encounters Diabetes-Mediated Alzheimer-Type Neuropathologic Changes through Relieving Advanced Glycation End-Products Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

The present study investigates whether hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, can encounter advanced glycation end-product (AGE)-induced Alzheimer’s disease-like pathophysiological changes with the underlying mechanisms. SH-SY5Y cells pretreated with hesperetin before stimulation with AGEs (200 μg/mL) were assessed in the following experiments. Hesperetin (40 μmol/L) elevated the reduced cell viability induced by AGEs. Hesperetin ameliorated reactive oxygen species overproduction and the downregulation of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, triggered by AGEs. Amyloid precursor protein upregulation, accompanied by the increased production of Aβ, caused by AGEs, was reversed by hesperetin. However, hesperetin lowered β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 expression, inducing insulin-degrading and neprilysin expression. In addition, hesperetin downregulated the expressions of the AGEs-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, including 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein and C/EBP homologous protein, and lowered the phosphorylation of protein kinase R-like ER kinase and activating transcription factor 4. Hesperetin-pretreated cells had a minor apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Hesperetin is able to upregulate Bcl-2 protein expression, downregulate Bax expression, and decrease caspase-12/-9/-3 activity as well, indicating that it inhibits ER stress-mediated neuronal apoptosis. There is a similar effect between hesperetin and positive rosiglitazone control against Aβ aggravation of SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by AGEs. Thus, hesperetin might be a potential agent for treating glycation-induced Aβ neurotoxicity.

POST-COVID COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: The revealing of the consequences of the long-term postcovid effects on the particular cognitive domains in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM 2) by comparing the characteristics of patients with DM 2 without postcovid disorders and the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with long-therm postcovid without DM 2 by forming the research hypothesis to improve the adherence to treatment of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Literature search was performed using PubMed search criteria "covid AND cognitive AND domain" 217 articles, as a result, and separately "diabetes mellitus 2 type AND cognitive impairment AND domain" with the result of 164 articles. There were 26 remaining studies included in this review. The hypothesis about the relationships between the particular cause factors and the defeating of specific cognitive domains in patients with DM 2 in the long-term postcovid period has been formed.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: This is important in the terms of the influence of cognitive impairment on the concordance to treatment process and quality of life level in patients with DM 2 in general. So, involving specialists of different profiles in a multidisciplinary approach is the solution to this issue.

Sleeve gastrectomy attenuated diabetes-related cognitive decline in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on diabetes-related cognitive decline (DCD) in rats with diabetic mellitus (DM).

METHODS AND METHODS

Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (CON) group (n=10), diabetes mellitus (DM) group (n=10), sham operation (SHAM) group (n=10) and SG group (n=10). DM model was established by high-fat diet (HFD) combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (STZ). Behavioral evaluation was given using Morris water maze test and Y-maze. In addition, PET-CT, TUNEL assay, histological analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the alleviating effects and potential mechanisms of SG on DCD in DM rats.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham group, SG induced significant improvement in the metabolic indices such as blood glucose and body weight. Besides, it could attenuate the insulin resistance compared with SHAM group. In addition, SG could improve the cognitive function of DM rats, which were featured by significant decrease in the escape latency (P<0.05), and significant increase in the time in target quadrant and platform crossings (P<0.05) compared with the SHAM group. SG induced significant elevation in the spontaneous alternation compared with SHAM group (P<0.05). Moreover, SG could improve the arrangement and biosynthesis of hippocampus neuron. Moreover, SG triggered the inhibition of apoptosis of hippocampus neurons, and Western blot analysis showed SG induced significant increase in the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and Caspase3/cleaved Caspase 3. TEM demonstrated SG could significantly improve the microstructure of hippocampus neurons compared with the SHAM group. Western blot and IHC confirmed the significant decrease in the phosphorylation of tau at Ser404 and Ser396 sites in the SG group. Furthermore, SG activated the PI3K signaling pathway by elevating the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt and GSK3β compared with the SHAM group.

CONCLUSION

SG attenuated the DCD in DM rats, which may be related to the activation of PI3K signaling pathway.

Multimodal brain imaging effect of "Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit" electroacupuncture on diabetic cognitive impairment: study protocol of a randomized, sham-controlled pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) is a serious chronic complication caused by diabetes. The pathogenesis of DCI is complex, but brain nerve injury and brain nerve cell apoptosis are important pathological changes. Multimodal brain imaging is one of the most important techniques to study the neural mechanism of the brain. For the clinical treatment of DCI, there is no effective targeted Western medicine and a lack of clear drug intervention methods. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find effective complementary and alternative methods and clarify their mechanism. This research seeks to explore the multimodal brain imaging effect of "Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit" electroacupuncture for DCI.

METHODS

This clinical research will be a randomized, sham-controlled pilot trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 60) and the control group (n = 30). The intervention group will be divided into the "Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit" electroacupuncture group (n = 30) and sham electroacupuncture group (n = 30). All participants will continue to receive routine hypoglycemic therapy. The treatment period is the same in both groups. The primary outcomes include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). The secondary outcomes include blood glucose and blood lipid tests, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL), Hachinski Ischemic Scale (HIS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and before and after treatment, and adverse events will be examined. Inter- and intragroup analyses will be performed.

DISCUSSION

This randomized controlled study, combined with multimodal brain imaging techniques and a clinical evaluation scale, was designed to explore the mechanism of "Adjust Zang-fu and Arouse Spirit" electroacupuncture in improving the central nervous system in DCI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registration ChiCTR2000040268 . Registered on 26 November 2020.

The Interrelation Between Chronic Headache, Cognitive Scores, and MRI Markers Among Stroke Survivors

BACKGROUND

Migraine is known to mildly increase the risk for ischemic stroke and is associated with vascular MRI markers. However, the potential effect of chronic headache (CH) on stroke outcomes has not been studied.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the interrelation between CH and post-stroke cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Data from 455 patients with a first ever stroke from the TABASCO study was available. All patients underwent 3T brain MRI, blood analysis, and a serial cognitive assessment at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after.

RESULTS

Eighty-five (18.7%) patients reported suffering from CH, of whom 53 (62.4%) reported symptoms of photophobia or nausea, and 34 (40%) reported an aura. CH was associated with female sex, lower prevalence of T2DM (p < 0.001), and lower HbA1C levels (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis, controlling for age, sex, education, vascular risk factors, and the presence of acute lesions in MRI, revealed that CH was an independent predictor of better cognitive scores 6, 12, and 24 months post-stroke (p = 0.015, p = 0.01, and p = 0.012, respectively). Stroke patients suffering from CH had also higher normalized gray, white matter, and thalamus volumes, and better white matter microstructural integrity (p < 0.001, p = 0.037, p < 0.001, p = 0.008, respectively)Conclusion:In this study, CH was consistently associated with better long term cognitive scores among post stroke subjects. These surprising findings may partially arise from the higher prevalence of T2DM among subjects without CH, that may represent the existence of chronic cerebrovascular disease, and may reflect mechanisms involving glucose metabolism.

Dementia and Adherence to Anti-Diabetic Medications: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) and dementia (DN) are common morbid disorders with high mortality, the two disorders shared the pathogenesis of proinflammation and insulin resistance. Polypharmacy is expected when DM and DN co-exist and medication adherence is essential to an effective self-care and management plan. This meta-analysis aimed to assess medication persistence among patients with diabetes and cognitive impairment (CogImp). Methods We systematically searched the literature through PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library, and the first 100 articles published in Google Scholar. We included articles publishes in English and conducted on humans, no limitation was set to the date of publication, all the articles were approached from the first published up to March 15, 2021. The keywords used were Dementia, cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, cognitive dysfunction, diabetes self-care, compliance to anti-diabetic drugs, and medication adherence. One hundred-seventy-six were identified, the 12 full texts screened, only four fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The studies were published in Europe, the United States, and Asia (all were observational). The results showed no effects of dementia on medication adherence, P-value of 0.41, odd ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.89-1.32, Chi-square for heterogeneity: 12.15, I² = 75%, and standard difference = 3. The P-value for heterogeneity was 0.007. The studies included 2,556 patients and 1,854 events. Conclusion No association was found between dementia and compliance to anti-diabetic medications. Further prospective studies are needed to solve the issue.

Proteostasis of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide: A Molecular Perspective of Risk Factors and Protective Strategies for Type II Diabetes

The possible link between hIAPP accumulation and β-cell death in diabetic patients has inspired numerous studies focusing on amyloid structures and aggregation pathways of this hormone. Recent studies have reported on the importance of early oligomeric intermediates, the many roles of their interactions with lipid membrane, pH, insulin, and zinc on the mechanism of aggregation of hIAPP. The challenges posed by the transient nature of amyloid oligomers, their structural heterogeneity, and the complex nature of their interaction with lipid membranes have resulted in the development of a wide range of biophysical and chemical approaches to characterize the aggregation process. While the cellular processes and factors activating hIAPP-mediated cytotoxicity are still not clear, it has recently been suggested that its impaired turnover and cellular processing by proteasome and autophagy may contribute significantly toward toxic hIAPP accumulation and, eventually, β-cell death. Therefore, studies focusing on the restoration of hIAPP proteostasis may represent a promising arena for the design of effective therapies. In this review we discuss the current knowledge of the structures and pathology associated with hIAPP self-assembly and point out the opportunities for therapy that a detailed biochemical, biophysical, and cellular understanding of its aggregation may unveil.

Analysis of Diabetes Apps to Assess Privacy-Related Permissions: Systematic Search of Apps

Background

Mobile health has become a major vehicle of support for people living with diabetes. Accordingly, the availability of mobile apps for diabetes has been steadily increasing. Most of the previous reviews of diabetes apps have focused on the apps’ features and their alignment with clinical guidelines. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the actual compliance of diabetes apps with privacy and data security guidelines.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of privacy of mobile apps for diabetes to contribute to the raising of awareness of privacy issues for app users, developers, and governmental data protection regulators.

Methods

We developed a semiautomatic app search module capable of retrieving Android apps’ privacy-related information, particularly the dangerous permissions required by apps, with the aim of analyzing privacy aspects related to diabetes apps. Following the research selection criteria, the original 882 apps were narrowed down to 497 apps that were included in the analysis.

Results

Approximately 60% of the analyzed diabetes apps requested potentially dangerous permissions, which pose a significant risk to users’ data privacy. In addition, 28.4% (141/497) of the apps did not provide a website for their privacy policy. Moreover, it was found that 40.0% (199/497) of the apps contained advertising, and some apps that claimed not to contain advertisements actually did. Ninety-five percent of the apps were free, and those belonging to the “medical” and “health and fitness” categories were the most popular. However, app users do not always realize that the free apps’ business model is largely based on advertising and, consequently, on sharing or selling their private data, either directly or indirectly, to unknown third parties.

Conclusions

The aforementioned findings confirm the necessity of educating patients and health care providers and raising their awareness regarding the privacy aspects of diabetes apps. Therefore, this research recommends properly and comprehensively training users, ensuring that governments and regulatory bodies enforce strict data protection laws, devising much tougher security policies and protocols in Android and in the Google Play Store, and implicating and supervising all stakeholders in the apps’ development process.

The Association between Hepatic Encephalopathy and Diabetic Encephalopathy: The Brain-Liver Axis

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the main consequences of liver disease and is observed in severe liver failure and cirrhosis. Recent studies have provided significant evidence that HE shows several neurological symptoms including depressive mood, cognitive dysfunction, impaired circadian rhythm, and attention deficits as well as motor disturbance. Liver disease is also a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is characterized by cognitive dysfunction and motor impairment. Recent research investigated the relationship between metabolic changes and the pathogenesis of neurological disease, indicating the importance between metabolic organs and the brain. Given that a diverse number of metabolites and changes in the brain contribute to neurologic dysfunction, HE and DE are emerging types of neurologic disease. Here, we review significant evidence of the association between HE and DE, and summarise the common risk factors. This review may provide promising therapeutic information and help to design a future metabolic organ-related study in relation to HE and DE.

Fibril structures of diabetes-related amylin variants reveal a basis for surface-templated assembly

Aggregation of the peptide hormone amylin into amyloid deposits is a pathological hallmark of type-2 diabetes (T2D). While no causal link between T2D and amyloid has been established, the S20G mutation in amylin is associated with early-onset T2D. Here we report cryo-EM structures of amyloid fibrils of wild-type human amylin and its S20G variant. The wild-type fibril structure, solved to 3.6-Å resolution, contains two protofilaments, each built from S-shaped subunits. S20G fibrils, by contrast, contain two major polymorphs. Their structures, solved at 3.9-Å and 4.0-Å resolution, respectively, share a common two-protofilament core that is distinct from the wild-type structure. Remarkably, one polymorph contains a third subunit with another, distinct, cross-β conformation. The presence of two different backbone conformations within the same fibril may explain the increased aggregation propensity of S20G, and illustrates a potential structural basis for surface-templated fibril assembly.

Gut Dysbiosis Dysregulates Central and Systemic Homeostasis via Suboptimal Mitochondrial Function: Assessment, Treatment and Classification Implications

:

The gut and mitochondria have emerged as two important hubs at the cutting edge of research across a diverse array of medical conditions, including most psychiatric conditions. This article highlights the interaction of the gut and mitochondria over the course of development, with an emphasis on the consequences for transdiagnostic processes across psychiatry, but with relevance to wider medical conditions. As well as raised levels of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) arising from increased gut permeability, the loss of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, is an important mediator of how gut dysbiosis modulates mitochondrial function. Reactive cells, central glia and systemic immune cells are also modulated by the gut, in part via impacts on mitochondrial function in these cells. Gut-driven alterations in the activity of reactive cells over the course of development are proposed to be an important determinant of the transdiagnostic influence of glia and the immune system. Stress, including prenatal stress, also acts via the gut. The suppression of butyrate, coupled to raised LPS, drives oxidative and nitrosative stress signalling that culminates in the activation of acidic sphingomyelinase-induced ceramide. Raised ceramide levels negatively regulate mitochondrial function, both directly and via its negative impact on daytime, arousal-promoting orexin and night-time sleep-promoting pineal gland-derived melatonin. Both orexin and melatonin positively regulate mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation. Consequently, gut-mediated increases in ceramide have impacts on the circadian rhythm and the circadian regulation of mitochondrial function. Butyrate, orexin and melatonin can positively regulate mitochondria via the disinhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, leading to increased conversion of pyruvate to acetyl- CoA. Acetyl-CoA is a necessary co-substrate for the initiation of the melatonergic pathway in mitochondria and therefore the beneficial effects of mitochondria melatonin synthesis on mitochondrial function. This has a number of treatment implications across psychiatric and wider medical conditions, including the utilization of sodium butyrate and melatonin.

:

Overall, gut dysbiosis and increased gut permeability have significant impacts on central and systemic homeostasis via the regulation of mitochondrial function, especially in central glia and systemic immune cells.

The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, linagliptin, improves cognitive impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and microglial activation

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating epidemiological studies have demonstrated that diabetes is an important risk factor for dementia. However, the underlying pathological and molecular mechanisms, and effective treatment, have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, linagliptin, on diabetes-related cognitive impairment.

METHOD

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were treated with linagliptin (3 mg/kg/24 h) for 17 weeks. The radial arm water maze test was performed, followed by evaluation of oxidative stress using DNP-MRI and the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase components and proinflammatory cytokines and of microglial activity.

RESULTS

Administration of linagliptin did not affect the plasma glucose and body weight of diabetic mice; however, it improved cognitive impairment. Additionally, linagliptin reduced oxidative stress and the mRNA expression of NAD(P)H oxidase component and TNF-α, and the number and body area of microglia, all of which were significantly increased in diabetic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Linagliptin may have a beneficial effect on diabetes-related dementia by inhibiting oxidative stress and microglial activation, independently of glucose-lowering.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) May Be a Striking Link Between Modern Diet and Health

The Maillard reaction is a simple but ubiquitous reaction that occurs both in vivo and ex vivo during the cooking or processing of foods under high-temperature conditions, such as baking, frying, or grilling. Glycation of proteins is a post-translational modification that forms temporary adducts, which, on further crosslinking and rearrangement, form permanent residues known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Cooking at high temperature results in various food products having high levels of AGEs. This review underlines the basis of AGE formation and their corresponding deleterious effects on the body. Glycated Maillard products have a direct association with the pathophysiology of some metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), acute renal failure (ARF), Alzheimer’s disease, dental health, allergies, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The most glycated and structurally abundant protein is collagen, which acts as a marker for diabetes and aging, where decreased levels indicate reduced skin elasticity. In diabetes, high levels of AGEs are associated with carotid thickening, ischemic heart disease, uremic cardiomyopathy, and kidney failure. AGEs also mimic hormones or regulate/modify their receptor mechanisms at the DNA level. In women, a high AGE diet directly correlates with high levels of androgens, anti-Müllerian hormone, insulin, and androstenedione, promoting ovarian dysfunction and/or infertility. Vitamin D3 is well-associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS and modulates steroidogenesis. It also exhibits a protective mechanism against the harmful effects of AGEs. This review elucidates and summarizes the processing of infant formula milk and the associated health hazards. Formulated according to the nutritional requirements of the newborn as a substitute for mother’s milk, formula milk is a rich source of primary adducts, such as carboxy-methyl lysine, which render an infant prone to inflammation, dementia, food allergies, and other diseases. We therefore recommend that understanding this post-translational modification is the key to unlocking the mechanisms and physiology of various metabolic syndromes.

Analysis of Diabetes Apps to Assess Privacy-Related Permissions: Systematic Search of Apps (Preprint).. [DOI: 10.2196/preprints.16146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

BACKGROUND

Mobile health has become a major vehicle of support for people living with diabetes. Accordingly, the availability of mobile apps for diabetes has been steadily increasing. Most of the previous reviews of diabetes apps have focused on the apps’ features and their alignment with clinical guidelines. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the actual compliance of diabetes apps with privacy and data security guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of privacy of mobile apps for diabetes to contribute to the raising of awareness of privacy issues for app users, developers, and governmental data protection regulators.

METHODS

We developed a semiautomatic app search module capable of retrieving Android apps’ privacy-related information, particularly the dangerous permissions required by apps, with the aim of analyzing privacy aspects related to diabetes apps. Following the research selection criteria, the original 882 apps were narrowed down to 497 apps that were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of the analyzed diabetes apps requested potentially dangerous permissions, which pose a significant risk to users’ data privacy. In addition, 28.4% (141/497) of the apps did not provide a website for their privacy policy. Moreover, it was found that 40.0% (199/497) of the apps contained advertising, and some apps that claimed not to contain advertisements actually did. Ninety-five percent of the apps were free, and those belonging to the “medical” and “health and fitness” categories were the most popular. However, app users do not always realize that the free apps’ business model is largely based on advertising and, consequently, on sharing or selling their private data, either directly or indirectly, to unknown third parties.

CONCLUSIONS

The aforementioned findings confirm the necessity of educating patients and health care providers and raising their awareness regarding the privacy aspects of diabetes apps. Therefore, this research recommends properly and comprehensively training users, ensuring that governments and regulatory bodies enforce strict data protection laws, devising much tougher security policies and protocols in Android and in the Google Play Store, and implicating and supervising all stakeholders in the apps’ development process.

Supplementation with Nicotinamide Riboside Reduces Brain Inflammation and Improves Cognitive Function in Diabetic Mice

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether nicotinamide riboside (NR) can improve inflammation and cognitive function in diabetic mice. ICR male mice were fed for 14 weeks with either high-fat chow diet (HF, 60% kcal fat) or standard chow diet (CON, 10% kcal fat). HF, streptozotocin, and nicotinamide were used to induce hyperglycemia. NR or vehicle was delivered via stomach gavage for six weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test, Y-maze test, and nest construction test were conducted before and after the NR treatment period. NR treatment induced down-regulation of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. NR reduced IL-1 expression significantly by 50% in whole brains of hyperglycemic mice. Other inflammatory markers including TNF-α and IL-6 were also attenuated by NR. Brain expression of amyloid-β precursor protein and presenilin 1 were reduced by NR. In addition, NR induced significant reduction of amyloid-β in whole brains of diabetic mice. NR treatment restored hyperglycemia-induced increases in brain karyopyknosis to the levels of controls. Nest construction test showed that NR improved hippocampus functions. Spatial recognition memory and locomotor activity were also improved by NR supplementation. These findings suggest that NR may be useful for treating cognitive impairment by inhibiting amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation.