Double or hybrid diabetes: A systematic review on disease prevalence, characteristics and risk factors

Association study between adiponectin gene variants, serum levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Tunisian women: Insights from BMI stratification

Although prior studies have shown that adiponectin synthesis is genetically determined and that its levels influence susceptibility to T2D, the results in this regard have been inconsistent. This study aims, to investigate the relationship between adiponectin gene variants with the risk of developing T2D among Tunisian women and in relation to their BMI status. A cohort of 491 Tunisian T2D women and 373 non-diabetic subjects participated in the study. Nine ADIPOQ variants namely rs16861194, rs17300539, rs266729, rs822395, rs822396, rs2241766, rs1501299, rs2241767 and rs3774261 were selected and genotyped using the TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay. Fasting serum adiponectin levels were quantified using ELISA. The results showed that only the rs17300539 variant exhibited a significant association with the risk of T2D. However, upon considering T2D group stratification based on BMI (normal weight [18-24.99 Kg/m2], overweight [25-29.99 Kg/m2] and obese [30-34.99 Kg/m2]), the ADIPOQ rs2241766 variant emerged as a contributing risk factor for increased BMI in obese women with T2D. Linear regression analysis revealed that the minor allele (A), (GA) and (AA) genotypes of rs17300539 as well as the (G) allele and (GG) genotype of rs2241766 were significantly associated with hypoadiponectinemia in T2D subjects. Two haplotypes namely GGCAATGAA and AGCCGTGGA, were identified as conferring a higher risk of T2D with the GGCAATGAA haplotype also correlating with hypoadiponectinemia. Our study underscores the importance of the rs17300539 variant and the GGCAATGAA haplotype in the risk of T2D and hypoadiponectinemia. Additionally, the presence of the rs2241766 variant highlights its association with 'diabesity' and hypoadiponectinemia among Tunisian T2D women.

Validation of GenProb-T1D and its clinical utility for differentiating types of diabetes in a biobank from a US healthcare system

Atypical diabetes with overlapping clinical features of type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) is common and challenging diagnostically and for implementing effective treatment. Here, we validate a recently reported genetic probability of type 1 diabetes (GenProb-T1D) from the UK Biobank (UKB) for differentiating type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in a diabetes patient cohort from a healthcare system-based biobank in the USA. Among 3,363 diabetes patients, we confirmed the performance of GenProb-T1D in differentiating typical type 1 diabetes vs type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, for 359 atypical diabetes patients, those with GenProb-T1D higher than the pre-defined cutoff derived from the UKB had clinical presentations more consistent with that of typical type 1 diabetes. Similar findings were found in participants of European and non-European ancestries. This study provides necessary validation to translate GenProb-T1D into genetic testing in a multi-ancestry cohort. Measuring underlying genetic susceptibility of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes can supplement current clinical tools for earlier and more accurate diagnoses of diabetes.

Unmet needs in the treatment of type 1 diabetes: why is it so difficult to achieve an improvement in metabolic control?

The development of advanced diabetes technology has permitted persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus to improve metabolic control significantly, particularly with the development of advanced hybrid closed-loop systems which have improved the quality of life by reducing hypoglycemia, decreasing macroangiopathy and microangiopathy-related complications, ameliorating HbA1c and improving glycemic variability. Despite the progression made over the past few decades, there is still significant margin for improvement to be made in terms of attaining appropriate metabolic control. Various factors are responsible for poor glycemic control including inappropriate carbohydrate counting, repeated bouts of hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia unawareness, cutaneous manifestations due to localized insulin use and prolonged use of diabetes technology, psychosocial comorbidities such as eating disorders or 'diabulimia', the coexistence of insulin resistance among people with type 1 diabetes and the inability to mirror physiological endogenous pancreatic insulin secretion appropriately. Hence, the aim of this review is to highlight and overcome the barriers in attaining appropriate metabolic control among people with type 1 diabetes by driving research into adjunctive treatment for coexistent insulin resistance and developing new advanced diabetic technologies to preserve β cell function and mirror as much as possible endogenous pancreatic functions.

An adipocentric perspective of pancreatic lipotoxicity in diabetes pathogenesis

Obesity and diabetes represent two increasing and invalidating public health issues that often coexist. It is acknowledged that fat mass excess predisposes to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), with the increasing incidence of the two diseases significantly associated. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that obesity might also accelerate the appearance of type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is now a relatively frequent comorbidity in patients with obesity. It is a common clinical finding that not all patients with obesity will develop diabetes at the same level of adiposity, with gender, genetic, and ethnic factors playing an important role in defining the timing of diabetes appearance. The adipose tissue (AT) expandability hypothesis explains this paradigm, indicating that the individual capacity to appropriately store energy surplus in the form of fat within the AT determines and prevents the toxic deposition of lipids in other organs, such as the pancreas. Thus, we posit that when the maximal storing capacity of AT is exceeded, individuals will develop T2D. In this review, we provide insight into mechanisms by which the AT controls pancreas lipid content and homeostasis in case of obesity to offer an adipocentric perspective of pancreatic lipotoxicity in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Moreover, we suggest that improving AT function is a valid therapeutic approach to fighting obesity-associated complications including diabetes.

Association of physical activity and sports participation with insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people with type 1 diabetes

AIM

To evaluate the association between physical activity (PA) and sports participation with insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

People with T1D from a secondary and tertiary care centre were included. Questionnaire-derived PA was expressed in metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (METh/week). Insulin sensitivity was calculated with the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR). NAFLD was assessed by transient elastography (TE). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were conducted, adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration and BMI.

RESULTS

In total, 254 participants were included (men 56%, age 44 ± 14 years, diabetes duration 24 ± 14 years, median BMI 24.8 kg/m2), of which 150 participants underwent TE. Total PA (median 50.7 METh/week) was not significantly associated with insulin resistance (median eGDR 7.31 mg/kg/min) (beta -0.00, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.00) or with NAFLD (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.01). Participating in sports was significantly associated with eGDR (beta 0.94, 95% CI 0.48-1.41) and with NAFLD (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

In our T1D population, we could not find any dose-dependent association between PA, insulin resistance and NAFLD. People participating in sports had a lower degree of insulin resistance and lower odds for NAFLD.

Candida albicans skin infection in diabetic patients: An updated review of pathogenesis and management

Candida species, commensal residents of human skin, are recognized as the cause of cutaneous candidiasis across various body surfaces. Individuals with weakened immune systems, particularly those with immunosuppressive conditions, are significantly more susceptible to this infection. Diabetes mellitus, a major metabolic disorder, has emerged as a critical factor inducing immunosuppression, thereby facilitating Candida colonization and subsequent skin infections. This comprehensive review examines the prevalence of different types of Candida albicans-induced cutaneous candidiasis in diabetic patients. It explores the underlying mechanisms of pathogenicity and offers insights into recommended preventive measures and treatment strategies. Diabetes notably increases vulnerability to oral and oesophageal candidiasis. Additionally, it can precipitate vulvovaginal candidiasis in females, Candida balanitis in males, and diaper candidiasis in young children with diabetes. Diabetic individuals may also experience candidal infections on their nails, hands and feet. Notably, diabetes appears to be a risk factor for intertrigo syndrome in obese individuals and periodontal disorders in denture wearers. In conclusion, the intricate relationship between diabetes and cutaneous candidiasis necessitates a comprehensive understanding to strategize effective management planning. Further investigation and interdisciplinary collaborative efforts are crucial to address this multifaceted challenge and uncover novel approaches for the treatment, management and prevention of both health conditions, including the development of safer and more effective antifungal agents.

Insulin resistance may accelerate typical changes in heart function among type 1 diabetes patients, particularly in overweight patients: a preliminary study

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin deficiency and subsequent hyperglycemia. Cardiovascular diseases are the prime cause of mortality and morbidity among patients with T1D. Accumulating metabolic disturbances and accelerated cardiac fibrosis fuel the development of heart dysfunction. As insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for the development and worsened course of heart failure, this study aimed to assess its impact on heart function in patients with T1D.

Methods

Adult participants were recruited prospectively. The inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of T1D. The exclusion criteria were other types of diabetes, symptoms/treatment of heart failure, AST and/or ALT exceeding the upper reference limit by ≥2x, hepatitis, alcoholism, metformin treatment, and pregnancy. The participants underwent a medical interview, physical examination, biochemical test, and echocardiography.

Results

The mean age in the study group was 38 ± 9.6 years, and the mean diabetes duration was 21.8 ± 11.3 years. The median BMI in the study cohort was 23.39 kg/m2. Patients with IR had significantly lower mitral E/A ratio and left ventricular and left atrial volume ratio (LVLAVR), higher LV mass index, and presented with altered mitral annular velocities.

Conclusions

IR seems to accelerate the pattern of typical changes in heart function among patients with T1D, especially in the overweight subgroup.

Trends in antidiabetic drug use and expenditure in public hospitals in Northwest China, 2012-21: a case study of Gansu Province

BACKGROUND

Since the twenty-first century, the prevalence of diabetes has risen globally year by year. In Gansu Province, an economically underdeveloped province in northwest China, the cost of drugs for diabetes patients accounted for one-third of their total drug costs. To fundamentally reduce national drug expenditures and the burden of medication on the population, the relevant departments of government have continued to reform and improve drug policies. This study aimed to analyse long-term trends in antidiabetic drug use and expenditure in Gansu Province from 2012 to 2021 and to explore the role of pharmaceutical policy.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the provincial centralised bidding and purchasing (CBP) platform. Drug use was quantified using the anatomical therapeutic chemistry/defined daily dose (ATC/DDD) method and standardised by DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), and drug expenditure was expressed in terms of the total amount and defined daily cost (DDC). Linear regression was used to analyse the trends and magnitude of drug use and expenditure.

RESULTS

The overall trend in the use and expenditure of antidiabetic drugs was on the rise, with the use increasing from 1.04 in 2012 to 16.02 DID in 2021 and the expenditure increasing from 48.36 in 2012 to 496.42 million yuan in 2021 (from 7.66 to 76.95 million USD). Some new and expensive drugs changed in the use pattern, and their use and expenditure shares (as the percentage of all antidiabetic drugs) increased from 0 to 11.17% and 11.37%, but insulins and analogues and biguanides remained the most used drug class. The DDC of oral drugs all showed a decreasing trend, but essential medicines (EMs) and medical insurance drugs DDC gradually decreased with increasing use. The price reduction of the bid-winning drugs was over 40%, and the top three drugs were glimepiride 2mg/30, acarbose 50mg/30 and acarbose 100mg/30.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of pharmaceutical policies has significantly increased drug use and expenditure while reducing drug prices, and the introduction of novel drugs and updated treatment guidelines has led to changes in use patterns.

No correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and long-term glycemic control in individuals with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To determine whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD), is associated with long-term blood glucose control in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

We recruited 508 individuals (43.4% men; median age 46.1, IQR 37.8-55.9 years) with T1D (median diabetes duration of 30.4, IQR 21.2-40.8 years) in a cross-sectional retrospective sub-study, part of the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data were collected retrospectively over the course of ten years (HbA1c-meanoverall) prior to the clinical study visit that included a clinical examination, biochemical sampling, and ultrasound of the common carotid arteries.

RESULTS

Individuals with T1D had a median CIMT of 606 μm (IQR 538-683 μm) and HbA1c of 8.0% (7.3-8.8%) during the study visit and HbA1c-meanoverall of 8.0% (IQR 7.3-8.8%). CIMT did not correlate with HbA1c (p = 0.228) at visit or HbA1c-meanoverall (p = 0.063). After controlling for relevant factors in multivariable linear regression analysis, only age was associated with CIMT (p < 0.001). After further dividing CIMT into quartiles, no correlation between long-term glucose control and CIMT (%, 1st 8.1 [IQR 7.2-8.9] vs 4th 7.9 [7.4-8.7], p = 0.730) was found.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no correlation between long-term blood glucose control and CIMT in individuals with T1D. This finding suggests that the development of early signs of macrovascular atherosclerosis is not strongly affected by the glycemic control in people with T1D.

New advances in type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition resulting in insulin deficiency and eventual loss of pancreatic β cell function requiring lifelong insulin therapy. Since the discovery of insulin more than 100 years ago, vast advances in treatments have improved care for many people with type 1 diabetes. Ongoing research on the genetics and immunology of type 1 diabetes and on interventions to modify disease course and preserve β cell function have expanded our broad understanding of this condition. Biomarkers of type 1 diabetes are detectable months to years before development of overt disease, and three stages of diabetes are now recognized. The advent of continuous glucose monitoring and the newer automated insulin delivery systems have changed the landscape of type 1 diabetes management and are associated with improved glycated hemoglobin and decreased hypoglycemia. Adjunctive therapies such as sodium glucose cotransporter-1 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists may find use in management in the future. Despite these rapid advances in the field, people living in under-resourced parts of the world struggle to obtain necessities such as insulin, syringes, and blood glucose monitoring essential for managing this condition. This review covers recent developments in diagnosis and treatment and future directions in the broad field of type 1 diabetes.

Restoring glucose balance: Conditional HMGB1 knockdown mitigates hyperglycemia in a Streptozotocin induced mouse model

Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a significant global health burden, with hyperglycemia being a primary contributor to complications and high morbidity associated with this disorder. Existing glucose management strategies have shown suboptimal effectiveness, necessitating alternative approaches. In this study, we explored the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in hyperglycemia, a protein implicated in initiating inflammation and strongly correlated with DM onset and progression. We hypothesized that HMGB1 knockdown will mitigate hyperglycemia severity and enhance glucose tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we utilized a novel inducible HMGB1 knockout (iHMGB1 KO) mouse model exhibiting systemic HMGB1 knockdown. Hyperglycemic phenotype was induced using low dose streptozotocin (STZ) injections, followed by longitudinal glucose measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests to evaluate the effect of HMGB1 knockdown on glucose metabolism. Our findings showed a substantial reduction in glucose levels and enhanced glucose tolerance in HMGB1 knockdown mice. Additionally, we performed RNA sequencing analyses, which identified potential alternations in genes and molecular pathways within the liver and skeletal muscle tissue that may account for the in vivo phenotypic changes observed in hyperglycemic mice following HMGB1 knockdown. In conclusion, our present study delivers the first direct evidence of a causal relationship between systemic HMGB1 knockdown and hyperglycemia in vivo, an association that had remained unexamined prior to this research. This discovery positions HMGB1 knockdown as a potentially efficacious therapeutic target for addressing hyperglycemia and, by extension, the DM epidemic. Furthermore, we have revealed potential underlying mechanisms, establishing the essential groundwork for subsequent in-depth mechanistic investigations focused on further elucidating and harnessing the promising therapeutic potential of HMGB1 in DM management.

Utility of Polygenic Scores for Differentiating Diabetes Diagnosis Among Patients With Atypical Phenotypes of Diabetes

CONTEXT

Misclassification of diabetes type occurs in people with atypical presentations of type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although current clinical guidelines suggest clinical variables and treatment response as ways to help differentiate diabetes type, they remain insufficient for people with atypical presentations.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to assess the clinical utility of 2 polygenic scores (PGSs) in differentiating between T1D and T2D.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with diabetes in the UK Biobank were studied (N = 41 787), including 464 (1%) and 15 923 (38%) who met the criteria for classic T1D and T2D, respectively, and 25 400 (61%) atypical diabetes. The validity of 2 published PGSs for T1D (PGST1D) and T2D (PGST2D) in differentiating classic T1D or T2D was assessed using C statistic. The utility of genetic probability for T1D based on PGSs (GenProb-T1D) was evaluated in atypical diabetes patients.

RESULTS

The joint performance of PGST1D and PGST2D for differentiating classic T1D or T2D was outstanding (C statistic = 0.91), significantly higher than that of PGST1D alone (0.88) and PGST2D alone (0.70), both P less than .001. Using an optimal cutoff of GenProb-T1D, 23% of patients with atypical diabetes had a higher probability of T1D and its validity was independently supported by clinical presentations that are characteristic of T1D.

CONCLUSION

PGST1D and PGST2D can be used to discriminate classic T1D and T2D and have potential clinical utility for differentiating these 2 types of diseases among patients with atypical diabetes.

Double diabetes as an effect modifier for adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus - a retrospective multicenter cohort study

Introduction

Double diabetes (DDiab) is defined as T1DM coexisting with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and/or obesity. Little evidence is available regarding how frequent DDiab is among T1DM pregnancies and whether it affects the perinatal outcome in this population.

Aims of the study

To explore the prevalence of DDiab in early pregnancy in the cohort of pregnant women with T1DM and to examine the association between an early-pregnancy DDiab status and fetomaternal complications characteristic for T1DM in pregnancy.

Material and methods

A retrospective data analysis of the multicenter cohort of N=495 pregnant women in singleton pregnancy complicated with T1DM followed from early pregnancy until delivery in three tertiary referral centers. DDiab status was defined as T1DM plus pre-pregnancy obesity defined as BMI≥30 kg/m2 measured at the first antenatal visit (DDiabOb), or T1DM plus pre-pregnancy IR defined as eGDR (estimated Glucose Disposal Rate) below the 25th centile for the cohort measured at the first antenatal visit (DDiabIR). Proportions of the adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between DDiabOb and Non-DDiabOb and between DDiabIR and Non-DDiabIR patients.

Characteristics of the study group

(data presented as mean(SD) or percentage): age: 30.0(5.1) years; age when T1DM diagnosed: 17.5(8.5) years; T1DM duration: 12.0(7,9) years; microvascular complications (White classes R,F,RF): 11.9%, pre-pregnancy counselling: 26.6%, baseline gestational age: 10.5(4.3) weeks, pre-pregnancy BMI: 23.7(4.3) kg/m2; chronic hypertension: 9.1%, gestational hypertension (PIH) 10.7%, preeclampsia (PET): 3.2%; nulliparity 53.8%, smoking in pregnancy: 4.8%, eGWG: 22.4%, DDiabOB: 10.1%; DdiabIR: 25.2%; LGA: 44.0%, and NICU admission: 20.8%.

Results

(data from the univariate analysis given as OR(95%CI)): both DDiabOB and DDiabIR status increased the risk for eGWG [23.15 (10.82; 55.59); 3.03 (1.80; 5.08), respectively]. DDiabIR status increased the risk for PET [4.79 (1.68;14.6)], preterm delivery [1.84 (1.13; 3.21)], congenital malformation [2.15 (1.07;4.25)], and NICU hospitalization [2.2 (1.20;4.01)]. Both DDiabOB and DDiabIR accurately ruled out PET (NPV 97.3%/98.3%, accuracy: 88.3%/75.6%, respectively), congenital malformation (NPV 85.6%/88.4%, accuracy: 78.9/69.8, respectively), and perinatal mortality (NPV 98.7%/99.2%, accuracy: 88.8%/74.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

Double diabetes became a frequent complication in T1DM pregnant population. Double diabetes diagnosed in early pregnancy allows for further stratification of the T1DM pregnant population for additional maternal risk.

A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study to Validate Insulin Sensitivity Index Cut-Offs for Detection of Metabolic Syndrome in Indian Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes

Background

A previous study compared insulin sensitivity indices for the detection of double diabetes (DD) in Indian adolescents with type-1 diabetes (T1D) and derived a cut-off to predict future risk for the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents with T1D. We conducted the current study with the aim to validate these cut-offs for detecting DD among Indian subjects with T1D from various geographical locations.

Methods

This multicentric cross-sectional study included 161 Indian adolescents with T1D. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were collected using standard protocols. Insulin sensitivity (IS) was calculated using various equations developed to determine insulin sensitivity in subjects with T1D. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Consensus Definition 2017.

Results

We report 4.3% prevalence of MS in Indian adolescents with T1D with an additional 29.8% of study participants at risk of development of MS. Low High density lipoprotein (HDL) (23.6%) was the commonest abnormal component of the MS definition. Insulin sensitivity calculated by an equation derived by the SEARCH group was the most appropriate index to identify MS and metabolic risk in Indian adolescents with T1D. The proposed cut-off of 5.48 had high specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in identifying the risk of the development of DD.

Conclusions

Insulin sensitivity calculated by the equation proposed by the SEARCH group together with cut-offs derived in earlier study may be used effectively to identify risk of development of MS/DD in Indian adolescents with T1D from various geographical locations.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic Effect of Combined Leaf and Seed Extracts of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) on Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Mice: A Biochemical and Histological Study

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a medicinal plant rich in biologically active compounds. The aim of the present study was to screen M. oleifera methanolic leaf (L) extract, seed (S) extract, and a combined leaf/seed extract (2L : 1S ratio) for antidiabetic and antioxidant activities in mice following administration at a dose level of 500 mg/kg of body weight/day. Diabetes was induced by alloxan administration. Mice were treated with the extracts for 1 and 3 months and compared with the appropriate control. At the end of the study period, the mice were euthanized and pancreas, liver, kidney, and blood samples were collected for the analysis of biochemical parameters and histopathology. The oral administration of the combined L/S extract significantly reduced fasting blood glucose to normal levels compared with L or S extracts individually; moreover, a significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, liver enzymes, and oxidant markers was observed, with a concomitant increase in antioxidant biomarkers. Thus, the combined extract has stronger antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties than the individual extracts. The histopathological results also support the biochemical parameters, showing recovery of the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissue. The effects of the combined L/S extracts persisted throughout the study period tested. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic effects of a combined L/S extract of M. oleifera in an alloxan-induced diabetic model in mice. Our results suggest the potential for developing a natural potent antidiabetic drug from M. oleifera; however, clinical studies are required.

Ginsenoside Rb1 protects against diabetes-associated metabolic disorders in Kkay mice by reshaping gut microbiota and fecal metabolic profiles

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax quinquefolius Linn. is one of the most valuable herbal medicine in the world for its broad health benefits, including anti-diabetes. Ginsenoside Rb1, the principal active constituent of Panax quinquefolius Linn., could attenuate insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. The dysfunction of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether ginsenoside Rb1's hypoglycemic effect is related to gut microbiota remains elusive.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aimed to explore the insulin-sensitizing and anti-diabetic effects of ginsenoside Rb1 as well as the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The T2DM model were established by high fat diet (HFD)-induced Kkay mice. The anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Rb1 (200 mg/kg/day) was evaluated by random blood glucose (RBG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum insulin level, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), pancreatic histology analysis, liver indexes, total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics were applied to characterize the microbiome and metabolites profile in HFD-induced Kkay mice, respectively. Finally, antibiotic treatment was used to validate the potential mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 by modulating gut microbiota.

RESULTS

Our results showed that ginsenoside Rb1 reduced blood glucose, OGTT, serum insulin level, HOMA-IR, liver indexes as well as pancreatic injury. In addition, the ginsenoside Rb1 reversed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in diabetic Kkay mice, as indicated by the elevated abundance of Parasutterella, decreased population of Alistipes, f_Prevotellaceae_unclassified, Odoribacter, Anaeroplasma. Moreover, ginsenoside Rb1 altered free fatty acid (FFA) levels in fecal metabolites, such as decreased the level of α-linolenic acid, 13-OxoODE, oleic acid, 13-HODE, arachidonic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, while increased the level of PC (14:0/22:1(13Z)) and PC (16:0/16:0). Notably, ginsenoside Rb1 failed to improve HFD-induced diabetes in Kkay mice with antibiotics intervention.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that ginsenoside Rb1 may serve as a potential prebiotic agent to modulate specific gut microbes and related metabolites, which play essential roles in diabetes-associated metabolic disorders and insulin resistance.

Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: The Epidemiology of an Awakening Epidemic

In this narrative review, we describe the epidemiology (prevalence, incidence, temporal trends, and projections) of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents (<20 years), focusing on data from the U.S. and reporting global estimates where available. Secondarily, we discuss the clinical course of youth-onset type 2 diabetes, from prediabetes to complications and comorbidities, drawing comparisons with youth type 1 diabetes to highlight the aggressive course of this condition, which, only recently, has become recognized as a pediatric disease by health care providers. Finally, we end with an overview of emerging topics in type 2 diabetes research that have potential to inform strategies for effective preventive action at the community and individual levels.

A survey on clinical natural language processing in the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2022

Much of the knowledge and information needed for enabling high-quality clinical research is stored in free-text format. Natural language processing (NLP) has been used to extract information from these sources at scale for several decades. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of clinical NLP for the past 15 years in the UK to identify the community, depict its evolution, analyse methodologies and applications, and identify the main barriers. We collect a dataset of clinical NLP projects (n = 94; £ = 41.97 m) funded by UK funders or the European Union's funding programmes. Additionally, we extract details on 9 funders, 137 organisations, 139 persons and 431 research papers. Networks are created from timestamped data interlinking all entities, and network analysis is subsequently applied to generate insights. 431 publications are identified as part of a literature review, of which 107 are eligible for final analysis. Results show, not surprisingly, clinical NLP in the UK has increased substantially in the last 15 years: the total budget in the period of 2019-2022 was 80 times that of 2007-2010. However, the effort is required to deepen areas such as disease (sub-)phenotyping and broaden application domains. There is also a need to improve links between academia and industry and enable deployments in real-world settings for the realisation of clinical NLP's great potential in care delivery. The major barriers include research and development access to hospital data, lack of capable computational resources in the right places, the scarcity of labelled data and barriers to sharing of pretrained models.

Descriptive phenomenology study of the reasons for the low uptake of free health service package among type II diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Although several diabetes management and control programs are introduced in Iran, rate of using such cares in patients with Type II Diabetic in Ahvaz is low and they show no tendency for receiving free diabetes service package. The aim of this study was to identify reasons behind low uptake of free health service package among T2DM patients in Ahvaz, Iran.

METHODS

This descriptive phenomenology study based on semi-structured guided interviews of patients with Type II Diabetic in Ahvaz, was carried out in the year 2021. Through purposeful sampling, 495 patients with diabetics who not received health services package more than 6 months were interviewed until the data saturation. The gathered data were analyzed through conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Reasons were categorized into three themes which include 13 subthemes and 57 codes. Themes included individual, accessibility, and structural factors. Besides, subthemes were lack of awareness, poor health literacy, adverse patients experience, difficulties to use services, verbal miscommunication cultural barriers, low trust, geographic barriers, time barriers, financial difficulties, lack of human resources, poor service delivery, and organizational factors were as barriers to participation.

CONCLUSION

Regarding individual level, there is a need for further training of diabetic patients. Besides, for accessibility and structural factors Iranian healthcare system needs a comprehensive integrated care for the management of diabetes, this underlines the collaboration for improving patients' uptake of free health service package.

Activation and Regulation of NLRP3 by Sterile and Infectious Insults

Nod-Like Receptor (NLR) is the largest family of Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRRs) that patrols the cytosolic environment. NLR engagement drives caspase-1 activation that cleaves pro-IL-1B which then gets secreted. Released IL-1B recruits immune cells to the site of infection/injury. Caspase-1 also cleaves Gasdermin-D (GSDM-D) that forms pores within the plasma membrane driving inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. NLRP3 is the most extensively studied NLR. The NLRP3 gene is encoded by 9 exons, where exon 1 codes for pyrin domain, exon 3 codes for NACHT domain, and Leucine Rich Repeat (LRR) domain is coded by exon 4-9. Exon 2 codes for a highly disorganized loop that connects the rest of the protein to the pyrin domain and may be involved in NLRP3 regulation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by many structurally divergent agonists of microbial, environmental, and host origin. Activated NLRP3 interacts with an adaptor protein, ASC, that bridges it to pro-Caspase-1 forming a multi-protein complex called inflammasome. Dysregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activity is a hallmark of pathogenesis in several human diseases, indicating its highly significant clinical relevance. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge about the mechanism of activation of NLRP3 and its regulation during activation by infectious and sterile triggers.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms as important risk factors of diabetes among Middle East population

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that leads to the dysfunction of various tissues and organs, including eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes prevalence is 8.8% globally among whom about 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes. There are not any significant clinical manifestations in the primary stages of diabetes. Therefore, screening can be an efficient way to reduce the diabetic complications. Over the recent decades, the prevalence of diabetes has increased alarmingly among the Middle East population, which has imposed exorbitant costs on the health care system in this region. Given that the genetic changes are among the important risk factors associated with predisposing people to diabetes, we examined the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the pathogenesis of diabetes among Middle East population. In the present review, we assessed the molecular pathology of diabetes in the Middle East population that paves the way for introducing an efficient SNP-based diagnostic panel for diabetes screening among the Middle East population. Since, the Middle East has a population of 370 million people; the current review can be a reliable model for the introduction of SNP-based diagnostic panels in other populations and countries around the world.

TAZ promotes PDX1-mediated insulinogenesis

Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is a key mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway and regulates structural and functional homeostasis in various tissues. TAZ activation is associated with the development of pancreatic cancer in humans, but it is unclear whether TAZ directly affects the structure and function of the pancreas. So we sought to identify the TAZ function in the normal pancreas. TAZ defect caused structural changes in the pancreas, particularly islet cell shrinkage and decreased insulin production and β-cell markers expression, leading to hyperglycemia. Interestingly, TAZ physically interacted with the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), a key insulin transcription factor, through the N-terminal domain of TAZ and the homeodomain of PDX1. TAZ deficiency decreased the DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of PDX1, whereas TAZ overexpression promoted PDX1 activity and increased insulin production even in a low glucose environment. Indeed, high glucose increased insulin production by turning off the Hippo pathway and inducing TAZ activation in pancreatic β-cells. Ectopic TAZ overexpression along with PDX1 activation was sufficient to produce insulin in non-β-cells. TAZ deficiency impaired the mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into insulin-producing cells (IPCs), whereas TAZ recovery restored normal IPCs differentiation. Compared to WT control, body weight increased in TAZ-deficient mice with age and even more with a high-fat diet (HFD). TAZ deficiency significantly exacerbated HFD-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Therefore, TAZ deficiency impaired pancreatic insulin production, causing hyperglycemia and exacerbating HFD-induced insulin resistance, indicating that TAZ may have a beneficial effect in treating insulin deficiency in diabetes.

The efficacy and safety of massage adjuvant therapy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is increasing year by year. If patients cannot receive timely and effective treatment, DPN may lead to diabetic foot ulcers or even amputation. This risk factor has been widely concerned around the world. Massage, as a non-invasive physical therapy method, is gradually being applied in the adjuvant treatment of DPN. However, there is no systematic review of the adjuvant treatment of DPN by massage. Our study will explore the effectiveness and safety of massage applied in DPN.

METHODS

Eight electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Sinomed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, Chongqing VIP Information) will be searched by our computer on February 9, 2022. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of adjuvant massage therapy for DPN was screened. Primary outcome measures: efficiency, nerve conduction velocity. Secondary outcome measures: pain, blood glucose, and incidence of adverse reactions. The quality of the study was evaluated by two researchers using the RCT bias risk assessment tool in the Cochrane review manual Handbook5.4, and meta-analysis was performed by RevMan5.4 software.

RESULTS

RCTs will be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of massage adjuvant therapy in DPN.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide evidence-based evidence for the safety and effectiveness of massage adjuvant therapy in DPN.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202220025.

Interleukin 6 in diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease: mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are cardiometabolic diseases that remain amongst the leading causes of morbidity and premature mortality. Here, we review the current understanding of how anti-inflammatory intervention via inhibition of the pro-inflammatory but pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL) 6 may benefit patients with these or related diseases or complications.

AREAS COVERED

Based on a PubMed literature search, this review integrates and contextualizes evidence regarding the clinical utility of anti-IL-6 intervention in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, as well as of the associated condition non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis.

EXPERT OPINION

Evidence implicates the pro-inflammatory effects of IL-6 in the pathophysiology of diabetes, CKD and CVD. Thus, targeting the IL-6 pathway holds a therapeutic potential in these cardiometabolic disorders. However, because IL-6 has multiple homeostatic roles, antagonizing this cytokine may be associated with side effects such as increased risk of infection as seen with other anti-inflammatory drugs. Additional studies are required to establish the benefit-risk profile of anti-IL-6 intervention in the cardiometabolic diseases, whilst also considering alternative interventions such as lifestyle changes. IL-6 is also elevated in NASH, but the clinical usefulness of targeting IL-6 in this hepatic disorder remains largely unexplored.

A Final Frontier in Environment-Genome Interactions? Integrated, Multi-Omic Approaches to Predictions of Non-Communicable Disease Risk

Epidemiological and associative research from humans and animals identifies correlations between the environment and health impacts. The environment-health inter-relationship is effected through an individual's underlying genetic variation and mediated by mechanisms that include the changes to gene regulation that are associated with the diversity of phenotypes we exhibit. However, the causal relationships have yet to be established, in part because the associations are reduced to individual interactions and the combinatorial effects are rarely studied. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that our genomes are highly dynamic; they integrate information across multiple levels (from linear sequence, to structural organisation, to temporal variation) each of which is open to and responds to environmental influence. To unravel the complexities of the genomic basis of human disease, and in particular non-communicable diseases that are also influenced by the environment (e.g., obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, some neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis) it is imperative that we fully integrate multiple layers of genomic data. Here we review current progress in integrated genomic data analysis, and discuss cases where data integration would lead to significant advances in our ability to predict how the environment may impact on our health. We also outline limitations which should form the basis of future research questions. In so doing, this review will lay the foundations for future research into the impact of the environment on our health.

Effect of Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance on Digestive Enzymes and Glucose Absorption in the Small Intestine of Young Rats

The reactions of intestinal functional parameters to type 2 diabetes at a young age remain unclear. The study aimed to assess changes in the activity of intestinal enzymes, glucose absorption, transporter content (SGLT1, GLUT2) and intestinal structure in young Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). To induce these conditions in the T2D (n = 4) and IGT (n = 6) rats, we used a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) (n = 6) or a standard diet (SCD) (n = 6) were used as controls. The results showed that in T2D rats, the ability of the small intestine to absorb glucose was higher in comparison to HFD rats (p < 0.05). This was accompanied by a tendency towards an increase in the number of enterocytes on the villi of the small intestine in the absence of changes in the content of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in the brush border membrane of the enterocytes. T2D rats also showed lower maltase and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the jejunal mucosa compared to the IGT rats (p < 0.05) and lower AP activity in the colon contents compared to the HFD (p < 0.05) and IGT (p < 0.05) rats. Thus, this study provides insights into the adaptation of the functional and structural parameters of the small intestine in the development of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in young representatives.

Metabolic Adaptions/Reprogramming in Islet Beta-Cells in Response to Physiological Stimulators—What Are the Consequences

Irreversible pancreatic β-cell damage may be a result of chronic exposure to supraphysiological glucose or lipid concentrations or chronic exposure to therapeutic anti-diabetic drugs. The β-cells are able to respond to blood glucose in a narrow concentration range and release insulin in response, following activation of metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and the TCA cycle. The β-cell cannot protect itself from glucose toxicity by blocking glucose uptake, but indeed relies on alternative metabolic protection mechanisms to avoid dysfunction and death. Alteration of normal metabolic pathway function occurs as a counter regulatory response to high nutrient, inflammatory factor, hormone or therapeutic drug concentrations. Metabolic reprogramming is a term widely used to describe a change in regulation of various metabolic enzymes and transporters, usually associated with cell growth and proliferation and may involve reshaping epigenetic responses, in particular the acetylation and methylation of histone proteins and DNA. Other metabolic modifications such as Malonylation, Succinylation, Hydroxybutyrylation, ADP-ribosylation, and Lactylation, may impact regulatory processes, many of which need to be investigated in detail to contribute to current advances in metabolism. By describing multiple mechanisms of metabolic adaption that are available to the β-cell across its lifespan, we hope to identify sites for metabolic reprogramming mechanisms, most of which are incompletely described or understood. Many of these mechanisms are related to prominent antioxidant responses. Here, we have attempted to describe the key β-cell metabolic adaptions and changes which are required for survival and function in various physiological, pathological and pharmacological conditions.

Progress in Simulation Studies of Insulin Structure and Function

Insulin is a peptide hormone known for chiefly regulating glucose level in blood among several other metabolic processes. Insulin remains the most effective drug for treating diabetes mellitus. Insulin is synthesized in the pancreatic β-cells where it exists in a compact hexameric architecture although its biologically active form is monomeric. Insulin exhibits a sequence of conformational variations during the transition from the hexamer state to its biologically-active monomer state. The structural transitions and the mechanism of action of insulin have been investigated using several experimental and computational methods. This review primarily highlights the contributions of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in elucidating the atomic-level details of conformational dynamics in insulin, where the structure of the hormone has been probed as a monomer, dimer, and hexamer. The effect of solvent, pH, temperature, and pressure have been probed at the microscopic scale. Given the focus of this review on the structure of the hormone, simulation studies involving interactions between the hormone and its receptor are only briefly highlighted, and studies on other related peptides (e.g., insulin-like growth factors) are not discussed. However, the review highlights conformational dynamics underlying the activities of reported insulin analogs and mimetics. The future prospects for computational methods in developing promising synthetic insulin analogs are also briefly highlighted.

Mice with Type 2 Diabetes Present Significant Alterations in Their Tissue Biomechanical Properties and Histological Features

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease often associated with severe complications that may result in patient morbidity or death. One T2DM etiological agent is chronic hyperglycemia, a condition that induces damaging biological processes, including impactful extracellular matrix (ECM) modifications, such as matrix components accumulation. The latter alters ECM stiffness, triggering fibrosis, inflammation, and pathological angiogenesis. Hence, studying ECM biochemistry and biomechanics in the context of T2DM, or obesity, is highly relevant. With this in mind, we examined both native and decellularized tissues of obese B6.Cg-Lep^ob/J (ob/ob) and diabetic BKS.Cg-Dock7m+/+Lepr^dbJ (db/db) mice models, and extensively investigated their histological and biomechanical properties. The tissues analyzed herein were those strongly affected by diabetes—skin, kidney, adipose tissue, liver, and heart. The referred organs and tissues were collected from 8-week-old animals and submitted to classical histological staining, immunofluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, rheology, and atomic force microscopy. Altogether, this systematic characterization has identified significant differences in the architecture of both ob/ob and db/db tissues, namely db/db skin presents loose epidermis and altered dermis structure, the kidneys have clear glomerulopathy traits, and the liver exhibits severe steatosis. The distribution of ECM proteins also pinpoints important differences, such as laminin accumulation in db/db kidneys and decreased hyaluronic acid in hepatocyte cytoplasm in both obese and diabetic mice. In addition, we gathered a significant set of data showing that ECM features are maintained after decellularization, making these matrices excellent biomimetic scaffolds for 3D in vitro approaches. Importantly, mechanical studies revealed striking differences between tissue ECM stiffness of control (C57BL/6J), obese, and diabetic mice. Notably, we have unveiled that the intraperitoneal adipose tissue of diabetic animals is significantly stiffer (G* ≈ 10,000 Pa) than that of ob/ob or C57BL/6J mice (G* ≈ 3000–5000 Pa). Importantly, this study demonstrates that diabetes and obesity selectively potentiate severe histological and biomechanical alterations in different matrices that may impact vital processes, such as angiogenesis, wound healing, and inflammation.

Empagliflozin protects diabetic pancreatic tissue from damage by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in pancreatic β cells: in vitro and in vivo studies

Diabetes mellitus is an important public health problem worldwide. Insulin deficiency caused by pancreatic β cell dysfunction is an important pathogenic factor of diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated whether empagliflozin (EMPA) protects the pancreas from diabetes mellitus-induced injury by downregulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis-related inflammasome pathway in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, animals were separated into blank control (control, C57/bl6j wild-type mice), diabetes model (db/db mice, BKS-Leprem2Cd479/Gpt mice), and db/db mice+EMPA (db/db+EMPA) groups. In vitro, pancreatic β cells were separated into low glucose (control), high glucose (HG), and HG+EMPA groups. The db/db+EMPA group were administered empagliflozin at 10 mg/(kg·day) by gavage for six months. Histological changes in the pancreatic tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and levels of the pyroptosis-related inflammatory factors NLPR3, caspase-1, and GSDMD were measured by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining methods. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of glucose and empagliflozin on the proliferation of mouse insulinoma islet β (β TC-6) cells. NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD expression was assessed by western blotting and immunofluorescent labeling in the β TC-6 cells. The results showed that empagliflozin reduced the pathological changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the pancreatic tissues of db/db mice. Furthermore, empagliflozin not only reduced the expression levels of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD in vitro, but also reduced their expression levels in vivo. In summary, our data suggested that empagliflozin protects the pancreatic tissues from diabetes mellitus-induced injury by downregulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis-related inflammasome pathway.

Epidemiology, genetic landscape and classification of childhood diabetes mellitus in the State of Qatar

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To study the epidemiology, genetic landscape and causes of childhood diabetes mellitus in the State of Qatar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients (aged 0-18 years) with diabetes mellitus underwent biochemical, immunological and genetic testing. American Diabetes Association guidelines were used to classify types of diabetes mellitus. The incidence and prevalence of all the different types of diabetes mellitus were calculated.

RESULTS

Total number of children with diabetes mellitus was 1,325 (type 1 n = 1,096, ≥1 antibody; type 2 n = 104, type 1B n = 53; maturity onset diabetes of the young n = 20; monogenic autoimmune n = 4; neonatal diabetes mellitus n = 10;, syndromic diabetes mellitus n = 23; and double diabetes mellitus n = 15). The incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes were 38.05 and 249.73 per 100,000, respectively, and for type 2 were 2.51 and 23.7 per 100,000, respectively. The incidence of neonatal diabetes mellitus was 34.4 per 1,000,000 live births, and in indigenous Qataris the incidence was 43.6 per 1,000,000 live births. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in Qatari children was double compared with other nationalities. The prevalence of maturity onset diabetes of the young in Qatar was 4.56 per 100,000.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first prospective and comprehensive study to document the epidemiology and genetic landscape of childhood diabetes mellitus in this region. Qatar has the fourth highest incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus, with the incidence and prevalence being higher in Qatari compared with non-Qatari. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is also higher in Qatar than in Western countries. The incidence of neonatal diabetes mellitus is the second highest in the world. GCK is the most common form of maturity onset diabetes of the young, and a large number of patients have type 1B diabetes mellitus.

The use of mice in diabetes research: The impact of experimental protocols

Mice are used extensively in preclinical diabetes research to model various aspects of blood glucose homeostasis. Careful experimental design is vital for maximising welfare and improving reproducibility of data. Alongside decisions regarding physiological characteristics of the animal cohort (e.g., sex, strain and age), experimental protocols must also be carefully considered. This includes choosing relevant end points of interest and understanding what information they can provide and what their limitations are. Details of experimental protocols must, therefore, be carefully planned during the experimental design stage, especially considering the impact of researcher interventions on preclinical end points. Indeed, in line with the 3Rs of animal research, experiments should be refined where possible to maximise welfare. The role of welfare may be particularly pertinent in preclinical diabetes research as blood glucose concentrations are directly altered by physiological stress responses. Despite the potential impact of variations in experimental protocols, there is distinct lack of standardisation and consistency throughout the literature with regards to several experimental procedures including fasting, cage changing and glucose tolerance test protocol. This review firstly highlights practical considerations with regard to the choice of end points in preclinical diabetes research and the potential for novel technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring and glucose clamping techniques to improve data resolution. The potential influence of differing experimental protocols and in vivo procedures on both welfare and experimental outcomes is then discussed with focus on standardisation, consistency and full disclosure of methods.

Schisandrin C Affects Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β-Cells and Glucose Uptake in Skeletal Muscle Cells

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of three lignans (schisandrol A, schisandrol B, and schisandrin C) on insulin secretion in rat INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and glucose uptake in mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Schisandrol A and schisandrin C enhanced insulin secretion in response to high glucose levels with no toxic effects on INS-1 cells. The effect of schisandrin C was superior to that of gliclazide (positive control), a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, western blot analysis showed that the expression of associated proteins, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), was increased in INS-1 cells after treatment with schisandrin C. In addition, insulin secretion effect of schisandrin C were enhanced by the Bay K 8644 (L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonist) and glibenclamide (K⁺ channel blocker), were abolished by the nifedipine (L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker) and diazoxide (K⁺ channel activator). Moreover, schisandrin C enhanced glucose uptake with no toxic effects on C2C12 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of associated proteins, including insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PI3K, Akt, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4), was increased in C2C12 cells after treatment with schisandrin C. Schisandrin C may improve hyperglycemia by enhancing insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells and improving glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells. Our findings may provide evidence that schisandrin C may be beneficial in devising novel anti-T2D strategies.

Stem Cell Research Tools in Human Metabolic Disorders: An Overview

Metabolic disorders are very common in the population worldwide and are among the diseases with the highest health utilization and costs per person. Despite the ongoing efforts to develop new treatments, currently, for many of these disorders, there are no approved therapies, resulting in a huge economic hit and tension for society. In this review, we recapitulate the recent advancements in stem cell (gene) therapy as potential tools for the long-term treatment of both inherited (lysosomal storage diseases) and acquired (diabetes mellitus, obesity) metabolic disorders, focusing on the main promising results observed in human patients and discussing the critical hurdles preventing the definitive jump of this approach from the bench to the clinic.

Correlation between total air pollutant emissions and incidence of type 1 diabetes in the Russian Federation

BACKGROUND

Exposure to air pollution (gaseous pollutants and/or particulate matter) has been associated with the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

PURPOSE

To examine the quantitative relationship between air pollutant emissions and the incidence of T1D.

METHODS

We examined the association between the incidence of T1D and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 2017 as well as that of T1D in patients younger than 15 years in 2016 with "emissions of air-polluting substances from stationary and mobile sources by regions of the Russian Federation in 2016" as reported by the Federal Diabetes Register of Russia downloaded from the Russian government website (http://www.mnr.gov.ru/docs/gosudarstvennye_doklady/o_sostoyanii_i_ob_okhrane_okruzhayushchey_sredy_rossiyskoy_federatsii/).

RESULTS

The incidence of T1D across all ages in each region of the Russian Federation correlated with the total air pollutants emitted in the region each year (r=0.278, P=0.013). The incidence of T2D was also correlated with the amount of air pollutants (r=0.234, P=0.037) and the incidence of T1D (r=0.600, P<0.001) in each country. Similarly, the incidence of T1D in patients younger than 15 years correlated with the total air pollutants emitted each year in each region (r=0.300, P=0.011).

CONCLUSION

The quantitative relationship between the total air pollutants emitted and the incidence of T1D and T2D in the Russian Federation suggests that air pollution contributes to the development of T1D and T2D.

Diabetes-related acute metabolic emergencies in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

COVID-19 is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) and euglycaemic DKA (EDKA); however, evidence regarding parameters affecting outcome and mortality rates is scarce.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar from January 2020 to 7 January 2021 to identify all studies describing clinical profile, outcome and mortality rates regarding DKA, HHS, DKA/HHS and EDKA cases in COVID-19 patients. The appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for quality assessment; quality of evidence was approached using GRADE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess correlations between clinical characteristics and outcome based on case reports. Combined mortality rates (CMR) were estimated from data reported in case report series, cross-sectional studies, and meta-analyses. The protocol was submitted to PROSPERO (ID: 229356/230737).

RESULTS

From 312 identified publications, 44 were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Critical COVID-19 necessitating ICU (P = 3 × 10-8), DKA/HHS presence (P = 0.021), and AKI (P = 0.037) were independently correlated with death. Increased COVID-19 severity (P = 0.003), elevated lactates (P < 0.001), augmented anion gap (P < 0.001), and AKI (P = 0.002) were associated with DKA/HHS. SGLT-2i were linked with EDKA (P = 0.004) and negatively associated with AKI (P = 0.023). CMR was 27.1% (95% CI 11.2-46.9%) with considerable heterogeneity (I 2 = 67%).

CONCLUSION

Acute diabetes-related metabolic emergencies in COVID-19 patients lead to increased mortality; key determinants are critical COVID-19 illness, coexistence of DKA/HHS and AKI. Previous SGLT-2i treatment, though associated with EDKA, might preserve renal function in COVID-19 patients.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00502-9.

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Is a Crucial Player for the Poor Outcomes for COVID-19 in Elderly, Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients

A new infectious disease, named COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus associated to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has become pandemic in 2020. The three most common pre-existing comorbidities associated with COVID-19-related death are elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people. A common factor among these risk groups for the outcome of death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is dysbiosis, with an increase in the proportion of bacteria with a pro-inflammatory profile. Due to this dysbiosis, elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people present a higher propensity to mount an inflammatory environment in the gut with poor immune editing, culminating in a weakness of the intestinal permeability barrier and high bacterial product translocation to the bloodstream. This scenario culminates in a low-grade, persistent, and systemic inflammation. In this context, we propose here that high circulating levels of bacterial products, like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), can potentiate the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokines, including IL-6, being crucial for development of the cytokine storm in the severe form of the disease. A better understanding on the possible correlation between gut dysbiosis and poor outcomes observed in elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people can be useful for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on modulation of the gut microbiota.

Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Diabetic Human Skin Fibroblast Growth and the Secretion of Cytokines and Growth Factors Involved in Wound Healing

Simple Summary

With the number of diabetic patients on the rise, diabetes has become a major health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. One complication of diabetes is foot ulcers, which are difficult to repair and are thus associated with major clinical problems that may lead to foot amputation and even patient death. The delayed repair of diabetic foot ulcers is due to the slow growth of one of the cell types involved in wound healing, namely, fibroblasts. Fibroblasts inhabit deep skin tissue. Post-wound, they grow and produce skin tissues to enable other cells to close the wound. Even though normal fibroblast growth can be increased by electrical stimulation, it is not clear whether diabetic fibroblast also responds to electrical stimulation. We demonstrated for the first time that a weak direct current electrical field increased diabetic fibroblast growth. The use of electrical stimulation could thus potentially help heal diabetic foot ulcers and ultimately improve patient health and well-being.

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are indicative of an impaired wound healing process. This delay may be resolved through electrical stimulation (ES). The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ES on diabetic fibroblast adhesion and growth, and the secretion of cytokines and growth factors. Diabetic human skin fibroblasts (DHSF) were exposed to various intensities of direct current ES (100, 80, 40 and 20 mV/mm). The effect of ES on fibroblast adhesion and growth was evaluated using Hoechst staining, MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. The secretion of cytokine and growth factor was assessed by cytokine array and ELISA assay. The long-term effects of ES on DHSF shape and growth were determined by optical microscopy and cell count. We demonstrated that ES at 20 and 40 mV/mm promoted cell adhesion, viability and growth. ES also decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 yet promoted growth factor FGF7 secretion during 48 h post-ES. Finally, the beneficial effect of ES on fibroblast growth was maintained up to 5 days post-ES. Overall results suggest the possible use of low-intensity direct current ES to promote wound healing in diabetic patients.

The effects of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on neuropathic pain and quality of life in diabetic patients: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

to determine massage lavender essential oil on neuropathic pain and quality of life in diabetic patients.

METHODS

A randomized three-group control trial with the pre-post design was performed from 2019 to 2020 on 75 diabetic neuropathic patients. The patients were randomly allocated into aromatherapy (n = 26), placebo (n = 26), and control (n = 26) groups. Patients in the intervention group used 2.5 cc of 3% lavender oil on their feet as a gentle massage for 10 min every night before bedtime for a month. Data collected using the Visual analog scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathic 4 (DN4) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF36).

RESULTS

The mean difference of pain scores in short-term and long-term in the aromatherapy group was significantly reduced compared to the placebo and control groups (P < 0.001). In addition, after four weeks, a significant increase was found in the QoL domains in the aromatherapy group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aromatherapy massage with lavender oil helped reduce neuropathic pain two to four weeks after the intervention and improved the patients' QoL without causing any side effects. Thus, nurses are recommended to use it as a complementary method to reduce neuropathic pain and improve patients' QoL.

Inulin Fermentable Fiber Ameliorates Type I Diabetes via IL22 and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Experimental Models

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nourishment of gut microbiota via consumption of fermentable fiber promotes gut health and guards against metabolic syndrome. In contrast, how dietary fiber impacts type 1 diabetes is less clear.

METHODS

To examine impact of dietary fibers on development of type 1 diabetes in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and spontaneous non-obese diabetes (NOD) models, mice were fed grain-based chow (GBC) or compositionally defined diets enriched with a fermentable fiber (inulin) or an insoluble fiber (cellulose). Spontaneous (NOD mice) or STZ-induced (wild-type mice) diabetes was monitored.

RESULTS

Relative to GBC, low-fiber diets exacerbated STZ-induced diabetes, whereas diets enriched with inulin, but not cellulose, strongly protected against or treated it. Inulin's restoration of glycemic control prevented loss of adipose depots, while reducing food and water consumption. Inulin normalized pancreatic function and markedly enhanced insulin sensitivity. Such amelioration of diabetes was associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition and was eliminated by antibiotic administration. Pharmacologic blockade of fermentation reduced inulin's beneficial impact on glycemic control, indicating a role for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Furthermore, inulin's microbiota-dependent anti-diabetic effect associated with SCFA-independent restoration of interleukin 22, which was necessary and sufficient to ameliorate STZ-induced diabetes. Inulin-enriched diets significantly delayed diabetes in NOD mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Fermentable fiber confers microbiota-dependent increases in SCFA and interleukin 22 that, together, may have potential to prevent and/or treat type 1 diabetes.

An Innovative Approach for Decision-Making on Designing Lifestyle Programs to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes on Dutch Population Level Using Dynamic Simulations

The number of individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing worldwide, resulting in an increasing burden on society and rising healthcare costs. With increasing evidence supporting lifestyle intervention programs to reduce type 2 diabetes, and the use of scenario simulations for policy support, there is an opportunity to improve population interventions based upon cost–benefit analysis of especially complex lifestyle intervention programs through dynamic simulations. In this article, we used the System Dynamics (SD) modeling methodology aiming to develop a simulation model for policy makers and health professionals to gain a clear understanding of the patient journey of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to assess the impact of lifestyle intervention programs on total cost for society associated with prevention and lifestyle treatment of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes in The Netherlands. System dynamics describes underlying structure in the form of causal relationships, stocks, flows, and delays to explore behavior and simulate scenarios, in order to prescribe intervention programs. The methodology has the opportunity to estimate and simulate the consequences of unforeseen interactions in order to prescribe intervention programs based on scenarios tested through “what-if” experiments. First, the extensive knowledge of diabetes, current available data on the type 2 diabetes population, lifestyle intervention programs, and associated cost in The Netherlands were captured in one simulation model. Next, the relationships between leverage points on the growth of type 2 diabetes population were based upon available data. Subsequently, the cost and benefits of future lifestyle intervention programs on reducing diabetes were simulated, identifying the need for an integrated adaptive design of lifestyle programs while collecting the appropriate data over time. The strengths and limitations of scenario simulations of complex lifestyle intervention programs to improve the (cost)effectiveness of these programs to reduce diabetes in a more sustainable way compared to usual care are discussed.

Effectiveness of Disease-Specific mHealth Apps in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: Scoping Review

Background

According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing dramatically and DM comprises a large part of the global burden of disease. At the same time, the ongoing digitalization that is occurring in society today offers novel possibilities to deal with this challenge, such as the creation of mobile health (mHealth) apps. However, while a great variety of DM-specific mHealth apps exist, the evidence in terms of their clinical effectiveness is still limited.

Objective

The objective of this review was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of mHealth apps in DM management by analyzing health-related outcomes in patients diagnosed with type 1 DM (T1DM), type 2 DM (T2DM), and gestational DM.

Methods

A scoping review was performed. A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection databases for studies published between January 2008 and October 2020. The studies were categorized by outcomes and type of DM. In addition, we carried out a meta-analysis to determine the impact of DM-specific mHealth apps on the management of glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c).

Results

In total, 27 studies comprising 2887 patients were included. We analyzed 19 randomized controlled trials, 1 randomized crossover trial, 1 exploratory study, 1 observational study, and 5 pre-post design studies. Overall, there was a clear improvement in HbA_1c values in patients diagnosed with T1DM and T2DM. In addition, positive tendencies toward improved self-care and self-efficacy as a result of mHealth app use were found. The meta-analysis revealed an effect size, compared with usual care, of a mean difference of –0.54% (95% CI –0.8 to –0.28) for T2DM and –0.63% (95% CI –0.93 to –0.32) for T1DM.

Conclusions

DM-specific mHealth apps improved the glycemic control by significantly reducing HbA_1c values in patients with T1DM and T2DM patients. In general, mHealth apps effectively enhanced DM management. However, further research in terms of clinical effectiveness needs to be done in greater detail.

The Effects of Major Mushroom Bioactive Compounds on Mechanisms That Control Blood Glucose Level

Diabetes mellitus is a life-threatening multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by high level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes and its chronic complications have a significant impact on human life, health systems, and countries' economies. Currently, there are many commercial hypoglycemic drugs that are effective in controlling hyperglycemia but with several serious side-effects and without a sufficient capacity to significantly alter the course of diabetic complications. Over many centuries mushrooms and their bioactive compounds have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially polysaccharides and terpenoids derived from various mushroom species. This review summarizes the effects of these main mushroom secondary metabolites on diabetes and underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for lowering blood glucose. In vivo and in vitro data revealed that treatment with mushroom polysaccharides displayed an anti-hyperglycemic effect by inhibiting glucose absorption efficacy, enhancing pancreatic β-cell mass, and increasing insulin-signaling pathways. Mushroom terpenoids act as inhibitors of α-glucosidase and as insulin sensitizers through activation of PPARγ in order to reduce hyperglycemia in animal models of diabetes. In conclusion, mushroom polysaccharides and terpenoids can effectively ameliorate hyperglycemia by various mechanisms and can be used as supportive candidates for prevention and control of diabetes in the future.

Evaluation of Antihyperglycemic Effect of Extract of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Aqueous Leaves on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder with complications that result in significant morbidity and mortality. Current drugs used for diabetes therapy are not free from side effects and do not restore normal glucose homeostasis. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) aqueous leaves extract.

METHODS

Thirty rats of weight 90-150 gram were distributed to five groups (n= 6). Then labelled as diabetic control (DC), normal control (NC), extract treated (MS 250 and 500mg/kg), and glibenclamide treated (GL 5mg/kg). The experimental rats were induced by intra-peritoneal injection of Alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 180 mg/kg after dissolving in normal saline. Clinical biochemistry such as AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine, and cholesterol, blood glucose level, histopathological and preliminary phytochemical screening were evaluated.

RESULTS

Phytochemical tests revealed the presence of different secondary metabolites. Alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, saponin, phytosteroids, phenols and terpenoids. Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) leaves aqueous extract (250 and 500mg/kg) improved the body weight of rats, showed remarkable reduction in blood glucose concentration (P<0.05), and significantly decreased serum urea, creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP (P < 0.05). Levels of serum cholesterol remained unaltered in the experimental groups when compared with diabetic control. Histopathology of non-treated rats showed deterioration of insulin producing pancreas cells; nevertheless, β-cells restoration was observed due to administration of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) aqueous leaves extract.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to conclude that oral administration of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) aqueous leaf extracts (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) for 28 days showed beneficial effects on antihyperglycemia, improved body weight and Alloxan damaged pancreatic β-cells, and restored biochemical changes.

Marine Algae as a Potential Source for Anti-diabetic Compounds - A Brief Review

BACKGROUND

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that leads to several complications such as retinopathy, atherosclerosis, nephropathy, etc. In 2019, it was estimated that about 463 million people had diabetes, and it may increase up to 700 million in 2045. Marine macroalgae are the rich source of bioactive compounds for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

This review summarizes the recent epidemiology and possible use of marine macroalgae-derived bioactive compounds for the protection against chronic metabolic disease, diabetes mellitus and marine macroalgae as a nutraceutical supplement.

CONCLUSION

The present therapies available for diabetes treatment are oral medicines and insulin injections. But continuous use of synthetic medicines provides low therapeutic with many side effects. In continuing search of anti-diabetic drugs, marine macroalgae remain as a promising source with potent bioactivity. Among existing marine algae, red and brown algae are reported to show anti-diabetic activity. Hence, the present review focuses on the epidemiology, diabetes biomarkers and different secondary bioactive compounds present in marine macroalgae to treat diabetes mellitus.

Mindfulness Practice for Glycemic Control: Could it be a New Strategy for an Old Problem? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires a complex and organized care that includes patient's lifestyle change. Additionally, emotional well-being is an important part of self-management, and it may impair the individual's adherence. Therefore, equipping the patients with the necessary coping and self-care techniques may be an important step in managing diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of interventions using established mindfulness-based protocols on glycemic control of individuals with T2DM.

METHODS

Data sources: Two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from inception to December 2019. We limited our search to published studies in English, Spanish and Portuguese languages.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials that assessed the effects of mindfulness in individuals with T2DM were selected.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the included trials. Data were pooled using inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

Four randomized trials were included. There were no differences in blood glucose change (mean difference between groups (MD) -0.73mg/dl; 95% CI, -10.49; 9.02; I2 =0%; very low quality of evidence) or glycated hemoglobin (MD 0.05%; 95%CI -0.22 to 0.32; I2 =29%; very low quality of evidence).

CONCLUSION

Although the quality of current evidence is very low, our findings suggest that established protocols involving mindfulness have no effect on blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin in individuals with T2DM. Indeed, large-scale trials are needed to evaluate the contribution of mindfulness to glycemic control in clinical practice. PROSPERO Registration ID: RD42020161940.

Systems Approach to Pathogenic Mechanism of Type 2 Diabetes and Drug Discovery Design Based on Deep Learning and Drug Design Specifications

In this study, we proposed a systems biology approach to investigate the pathogenic mechanism for identifying significant biomarkers as drug targets and a systematic drug discovery strategy to design a potential multiple-molecule targeting drug for type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment. We first integrated databases to construct the genome-wide genetic and epigenetic networks (GWGENs), which consist of protein–protein interaction networks (PPINs) and gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for T2D and non-T2D (health), respectively. Second, the relevant “real GWGENs” are identified by system identification and system order detection methods performed on the T2D and non-T2D RNA-seq data. To simplify network analysis, principal network projection (PNP) was thereby exploited to extract core GWGENs from real GWGENs. Then, with the help of KEGG pathway annotation, core signaling pathways were constructed to identify significant biomarkers. Furthermore, in order to discover potential drugs for the selected pathogenic biomarkers (i.e., drug targets) from the core signaling pathways, not only did we train a deep neural network (DNN)-based drug–target interaction (DTI) model to predict candidate drug’s binding with the identified biomarkers but also considered a set of design specifications, including drug regulation ability, toxicity, sensitivity, and side effects to sieve out promising drugs suitable for T2D.