Plasma Levels of Cell-Free Apoptotic DNA Ladders and Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) in Diabetic Children

Liver ergothioneine accumulation in a guinea pig model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A possible mechanism of defence?

L-ergothioneine (ET), a putative antioxidant compound acquired by animals through dietary sources, has been suggested to accumulate in certain cells and tissues in the body that are predisposed to high oxidative stress. In the present study, we identified an elevation of ET in the liver of a guinea pig model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), elucidated a possible mechanism for the increased uptake and investigated the possible role for this accumulation. This increase in liver ET levels correlated with cholesterol accumulation and disease severity. We identified an increase in the transcriptional factor, RUNX1, which has been shown to upregulate the expression of the ET-specific transporter OCTN1, and could consequently lead to the observable elevation in ET. An increase was also seen in heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) which seemingly corresponds to ET elevation. No significant increase was observed in oxidative damage markers, F2-isoprostanes, and protein carbonyls, which could possibly be attributed to the increase in liver ET through direct antioxidant action, induction of HSP70, or by chelation of Fe(2+), preventing redox chemistry. The data suggest a novel mechanism by which the guinea pig fatty liver accumulates ET via upregulation of its transporter, as a possible stress response by the damaged liver to further suppress oxidative damage and delay tissue injury. Similar events may happen in other animal models of disease, and researchers should be aware of the possibility.

A comparative study of DNA damage in patients suffering from diabetes and thyroid dysfunction and complications

Objective

The apoptotic DNA levels in blood leukocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and thyroid dysfunctionism were evaluated.

Materials and methods

Single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) detects migration of DNA from individual cell nuclei following alkaline treatment. Comet assay pattern was studied in individuals with T2D, hypothyroid (HT), hyperthyroid (HeT), and patients suffering from both diabetes mellitus and HT (HT + DM). Results were compared with the normal subjects (n = 9 in each group). The percentage apoptotic cell populations were calculated from the tail length.

Results

T2D patients showed 92.24% of cell damage compared to HT or HeT patients (51.04% or 54.64%, respectively). Further, increase in cell damage was also observed in HT + DM subjects (P < 0.05). Pharmacologic therapy significantly influenced cell damage. However, age and duration of disease did not show any definite influence on apoptosis.

Conclusion

Dependence of disease seems to be the major contributor of the cell damage. However, thyroid dysfunction did not show any deleterious effects on individual cells under the study.