AR C-106T gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in the Eastern Asians with T2DM: A meta-analysis including 2120 subjects

Deciphering clock genes as emerging targets against aging

The old people often suffer from circadian rhythm disturbances, which in turn accelerate aging. Many aging-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and osteoarthritis have an inextricable connection with circadian rhythm. In light of the predominant effects of clock genes on regulating circadian rhythm, we systematically present the elaborate network of roles that clock genes play in aging in this review. First, we briefly introduce the basic background regarding clock genes. Second, we systemically summarize the roles of clock genes in aging and aging-related degenerative diseases. Third, we discuss the relationship between clock genes polymorphisms and aging. In summary, this review is intended to clarify the indispensable roles of clock genes in aging and sheds light on developing clock genes as anti-aging targets.

Changes of serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs), matrix metalloprotein-2 (MMP-2), and urinary microalbuminuria (mALB) in diabetic nephropathy and their predictive value for heart failure

Background

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication in diabetic patients, with a high rate of disability and mortality. This study aims to explore the changes in serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs), matrix metalloprotein-2 (MMP-2), and urinary microalbuminuria (mALB) in diabetic nephropathy and their predictive value for heart failure.

Methods

The 134 patients with diabetic nephropathy treated in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were enrolled and divided into two groups resulting in 64 cases in an observation group with heart failure, and 70 cases without heart failure in a control group. In addition, 80 patients with simple diabetes who were treated during the same period were selected as the simple diabetes group. Levels of AGEs, MMP-2, and mALB between the groups were compared, risk factors affecting diabetic nephropathy patients with heart failure were analyzed, and an ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of AGEs, MMP-2, and mALB for heart failure

Results

The levels of AGEs and mALB in the diabetic nephropathy group were significantly higher than those in the simple diabetes group, and the levels of MMP-2 were significantly lower than those in the simple diabetes group (P<0.05). The levels of AGEs and mALB in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the levels of MMP-2 were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Smoking history hypertension history, blood creatinine (abnormal increase), blood uric acid (abnormal increase), AGEs (abnormal increase), MMP-2 (abnormal decrease), and mALB (abnormal increase) were independent risk factors affecting diabetic nephropathy patients with heart failure. The area under the ROC curve of AGEs, MMP-2, mALB, and their combined detection were: 0.821, 0.909, 0.897, and 0.991, respectively, showing the area under the curve of combined detection to be the largest.

Conclusions

AGEs, MMP-2, and mALB have high predictive value for heart failure in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Their sensitivity and specificity are high, indicating they may hold considerable clinical value.

Meta-analysis of the association between aldose reductase gene (CA)n microsatellite variants and risk of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). The (CA)n microsatellite variation of the aldose reductase (ALR) gene has been indicated to be associated with DR in previous studies; however, the results were inconclusive. To provide a more precise evaluation of the association between the (CA)n variations of ALR and the risk for DR, a meta-analysis was performed in the present study. Relevant articles were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the associations. The present meta-analysis included 17 studies comprising 1,575 DM patients with retinopathy and 1,741 DM patients without retinopathy. The results indicated that the Z-2 allele was a risk factor for DR in Asian (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.16-2.86, P=0.009) and Caucasian (OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.14-3.79, P=0.02) populations, as well as in type 1 diabetes (T1D; OR=3.42, 95% CI: 1.46-8.04, P=0.005) and type 2 diabetes (T2D; OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.05-2.63, P=0.03). Furthermore, the Z+2 allele was determined to be a protective factor for DR in Caucasian individuals (OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.73, P=0.0004) and those with T1D (OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.27-0.57, P<0.00001). Z+4 was also identified to be a protective factor, reducing the risk of DR in patients with T1D (OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.57-0.96, P=0.02). Z-4 was revealed to be a risk factor for DR in Asian populations (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.22-2.03, P=0.0005) and in individuals with T1D (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.27-2.08, P=0.0001). However, no association was detected between the Z, Z+6 and Z-6 alleles and the risk of DR (P>0.05). In conclusion, the present results revealed the following: Z+2 may serve as a protective factor for DR in Caucasian individuals and those with T1D; Z+4 may be a protective factor for DR in patients with T2D; Z-2 may represent a risk factor for DR in all subgroups analyzed; and Z-4 may be a risk factor for DR in Asian populations and patients with T2D.