Successful plasma exchange in a 34-year-old woman with diabetic ketoacidosis and a thrombotic microangiopathy

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare complication reported in the pediatric setting. We report a case of an adult patient with new-onset DM, DKA, and TMA who was treated successfully with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The patient underwent five procedures and experienced quick recovery in her platelet count and a near-normalization of her LDH. Within 3 days, ADAMTS13 activity was reported at 40.7% (>66.8%). After a protracted hospital course, mostly focused on treating the patient's bilateral hemorrhagic chemosis, the patient was discharged on hospital day 30. TMA is associated with a spectrum of diseases such as TTP and sepsis but, to our knowledge, it has not been reported in the setting of DKA in an adult patient. Evidence supports that metabolic alterations associated with DKA and its treatment disrupt basal hemostatic mechanisms and promote a thrombotic state. Although ADAMTS13 activity was only moderately decreased, our patient responded rapidly to TPE, with a striking increase and stabilization of her PLT count that was durable beyond discharge. As reported recently, patients who have TMA with ADAMTS13 activity levels >10% have a range of diagnoses, presentations, and outcomes. Although the underlying microangiopathic process is incompletely understood, these patients may respond well to TPE, as was seen in this case.     

Association of hemoglobin glycation index with cardiovascular risk factors in non-diabetic adults: A cross-sectional study

Background and aimsThe study aimed to explore the association of hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) with cardiovascular risk factors in non-diabetic adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 200 adults of 20–60 years of age. Predicted glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was calculated from linear regression equation. HGI was calculated using the formula HGI = measured HbA1c– predicted HbA1c. The study subjects were classified into three groups based on their HGI tertiles. Cardiovascular risk factors were compared between the groups and Pearson correlation test was done to correlate HGI with cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsSerum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) showed significant increase with increase in HGI in non diabetic individuals. High HGI group had significantly high serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C compared to low HGI group. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C showed a statistically significant positive correlation with HGI.ConclusionWe have found a statistically significant correlation of HGI with serum lipid profile, a significant cardiovascular risk factor in non-diabetic individuals. HGI, a simple derivative of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose may be used to identify cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic individuals. Further prospective studies are required in larger sample size to confirm the clinical implications of HGI.     

Reduced colorectal cancer incidence in type 2 diabetic patients treated with metformin: a meta-analysis

Context: Diabetic patients have a higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The role of metformin in CRC incidence among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial.

Objective: A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the role of metformin treatment in the occurrence of CRC among T2DM patients.

Methods: Search was performed throughout PubMed, Embase, Springer databases up to November 2014. The search terms were (biguanides or metformin) and (bowel or colon or rectal or colorectal) and (cancer or neoplasm or neoplasia). Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled using random-effects model or fixed-effect model basing on heterogeneity, which was calculated basing on Q statistics and χ² test. In addition, subgroup analyses were performed according to region, study design and control treatment. Finally, publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s regression test and trim and fill analysis.

Results: A total of 11 studies, including eight cohort studies and three case-control studies, were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Obvious heterogeneity was noted, and a 25% lower CRC incidence was found among diabetic patients treated with metformin (pooled RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.66-0.86), using the random-effects model. Subgroup analyses showed that CRC incidence significantly reduced among T2DM in different regions, non-metformin treatment and cohort studies. Evidence supported significant publication for studies investigating from Egger’s regression test. Conversely, no missing data were found using trim and fill analysis.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests metformin may reduce CRC incidence among diabetics, which is useful medical information for clinicians.     

洋参御糖丸对糖尿病大鼠心肌微血管病变的干预作用

目的观察洋参御糖丸对糖尿病大鼠心肌微血管病变的干预作用。方法高糖高脂联合腹腔注射链脲佐菌素建立糖尿病大鼠心肌微血管损伤模型,筛选成模大鼠并将其随机分为模型组、二甲双胍组以及洋参御糖丸高、低剂量组,各组大鼠相应给予4周蒸馏水、二甲双胍70 mg/(kg·d)、洋参御糖丸2.7 g/(kg·d)、洋参御糖丸1.35 g/(kg·d)干预后,检测血糖、糖化血红蛋白,观察大鼠心肌超微结构以及对大鼠心肌AGEs、VEGF、VCAM-1的影响。结果洋参御糖丸高剂量组、二甲双胍组与模型组相比血糖、HbA1c均显著下降;心肌AGEs、VEGF、VCAM-1表达明显降低;电镜下心肌纤维排列整齐,肌丝结构正常,细胞核线粒体结构清晰,心肌微血管数目正常。结论洋参御糖丸在降糖同时能够修复心肌超微结构的损伤;并且具有降低AGEs、抑制病理性微血管促新生效应、抑制促内皮细胞黏附积聚作用,进而可能延缓糖尿病微血管病变进程。     

Physiological assessment of high glucose neurotoxicity in mouse and rat retinal explants

One of the tissues of the central nervous system most affected by diabetes is the retina. Despite a growing understanding of the biochemical processes involved in glucose toxicity, little is known about the physiological consequences of chronic high glucose (HG) on individual neurons and neuronal circuits. Electroretinogram recordings suggest that retinal bipolar cells (BCs), which filter and transmit photoreceptor output to the inner retina, are among the first cells affected by diabetic conditions, and may therefore serve as sensitive early biomarkers for incipient neuronal damage caused in diabetes. Here, we comparatively assessed retinal integrity, calcium responses, and the electrophysiological profiles of specific BC types of mouse and rat organotypic retinal explants after 1 to 3 weeks in tissue culture, under moderate glucose (MG) and HG conditions. While the retinal layers of both rodent species displayed a progressively reduced thickness in culture, BCs retained their electrophysiological profiles and remained morphologically identifiable for up to 2 weeks. Responses to glutamate and endogenous inhibitory responses were routinely observed, indicating that the retinal circuitry remained intact during this period. Significant physiological differences between MG and HG conditions were evident in calcium signals and in the time course of responses to glutamate, but the voltage-gated current profiles of BCs displayed only minor variations. Overall, rat retina appeared slightly more sensitive to HG levels compared with mouse. In conclusion, electrophysiological analysis of neuronal function in rodent retinal explants is useful for the study of early damage due to HG neurotoxicity.     

Low expression of HIV genes in podocytes accelerates the progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice

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二仙汤对去卵巢大鼠心肌微血管及血液流变学的影响

目的:观察去卵巢大鼠心肌微血管密度、微血管内皮细胞形态及血液流变学的变化并探讨二仙汤的干预作用。方法:选用健康10周龄雌性SPF级SD大鼠32只,随机分为假手术组、模型组、雌激素组(戊酸雌二醇,0.18 mg·kg~(-1)),二仙汤组(9 g·kg~(-1))。去卵巢后2周开始灌胃给药,1次/d,连续16周。二仙汤组及雌激素组分别给予二仙汤或戊酸雌二醇灌胃,假手术组和模型组灌胃等体积纯净水。给药16周末,无创超声心动图(UCG)检测心功能;CD34免疫荧光染色法检测心肌微血管密度;透射电镜观测心肌微血管超微结构;放射免疫分析法检测血浆雌二醇(E_2)含量;酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)检测血浆内皮素-1(ET-1),前列环素I_2(PGI_2),血栓素A_2(TXA_2),血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和血管性血友病因子(vWF)水平;凝固法检测凝血四项;血液流变学检测全血黏度和血浆黏度。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组左室射血分数(EF)显著降低(P0.01),左室短轴缩短率(FS)显著降低(P0.01),左室收缩末期容积(LVVols)显著升高(P0.01);心肌微血管密度显著减少(P0.01);心肌微血管内皮细胞肿胀明显,胞浆空化;血浆E_2含量显著降低(P0.01);ET-1,VEGF,vWF含量显著升高(P0.01),前列环素I_2/血栓素A_2(PGI_2/TXA_2)显著降低(P0.01);血浆活化部分凝血酶原时间(APTT)显著降低(P0.01),纤维蛋白原(FIB)含量显著升高(P0.01);全血黏度、血浆黏度、卡松黏度显著升高(P0.01),全血高、低切指数和红细胞聚集指数明显升高(P0.05)。与模型组比较,二仙汤组大鼠EF,FS明显升高(P0.05),LVVols明显降低(P0.05);微血管密度显著增多(P0.01);心肌微血管内皮细胞水肿改善,运输小泡清晰可见;血浆E_2显著升高(P0.01);ET-1,VEGF显著降低(P0.01),PGI_2/TXA_2显著升高(P0.01);APTT显著升高(P0.01);全血黏度、全血高切相对指数、红细胞聚集指数明显降低(P0.05),卡松黏度、血浆黏度显著降低(P0.01)。结论:二仙汤增加去卵巢大鼠心肌微血管密度、保护微血管内皮细胞结构的完整性,改善其内皮分泌功能和血液流变学,保护心功能。     

Ⅲ~Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病不同中医证型的血清蛋白组学研究

目的:探索Ⅲ~Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病(DN)患者血清差异蛋白,同时筛选不同中医证型的血清差异蛋白。方法:收集Ⅲ~Ⅳ期DN患者70例(气阴两虚证19例,脾肾气虚证18例,血瘀证16例,湿热证17例),同时选择健康受试者35例(健康对照组),应用表面加强激光解吸电离-飞行时间-质谱(SELDI-TOF-MS)技术检测各组血清蛋白指纹图谱,并对差异蛋白峰进行对比分析。结果:1) DN组与健康对照组之间共有9个蛋白峰存在显著差异,质荷比(M/Z)分别为2042.57、3291.28、4986.15、5312.69、5564.09、9861.47、10786.53、13392.89、17395.27;2)气阴两虚证与脾肾气虚证之间共有4个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为2994.77、4986.15、7937.25、2758.91;3)气阴两虚证与血瘀证之间共有4个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为4986.15、16982.62、6819.69、9947.36;4)气阴两虚证与湿热证之间共有3个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为4986.15、11741.33、7001.54;5)脾肾气虚证与血瘀证之间共有3个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为3448.22、8063.43、9787.21;6)脾肾气虚证与湿热证之间共有5个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为2144.34、3992.01、8871.35、10568.32、14643.47;7)血瘀证与湿热证之间共有6个蛋白峰存在显著差异,M/Z分别为4233.15、5771.32、5987.18、8496.76、6651.25、13551.94。结论:Ⅲ~Ⅳ期DN组与健康对照组血清蛋白表达存在差异,该差异或可作为相关临床诊断的标志物,对探索DN的发病机制具有重要的参考价值;在不同中医证型之间能够找到差异血清蛋白,可能反映"证"的实质内涵,对今后建立诊断决策模型具有积极意义。     

Pyridostigmine bromide and its relation to Gulf War illness

Abstract

Pyridostigmine bromide acts as a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor that is used at relatively high doses in treatment of Myasthenia gravis and in low dose regimens as prophylaxis against nerve agents poisoning during the Gulf War. The manifestation of late nonspecific symptoms commonly called Gulf War illness has led to the discussion about the role of pyridostigmine bromide in the pathogenesis of this illness. In our study, we described plasma absorption profile of pyridostigmine bromide after p.o. administration in rats; subsequently, changes in blood biochemical and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pyridostigmine bromide was applied p.o. at the dose of 5.82?mg/kg b.w. according to the previously published recommendations. The absorption of pyridostigmine was relatively fast; the C_max in plasma was 110.20?±?15.12?ng/ml at T_max of 197.12?±?17.14?min. The bioavailability expressed as AUC_total was 44,348?±?7608?min ng/ml. The prolongation of pyridostigmine in circulation is in agreement with relatively long half-life that was 179.00?±?28.54?min. Several blood biochemical markers were altered, including glucose, creatinine, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, interleukin-6, triglycerides, and cholesterol. However, the changes could be considered as mild. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ferric reducing ability of plasma indicate suppression of basal metabolism. The results of blood biochemical and oxidative stress markers imply that long-term use might possibly change the basal metabolism and cause cellular damage with inflammatory changes.