老年2型糖尿病患者血清雌二醇水平与颈动脉硬化的相关性

目的探讨老年2型糖尿病患者血清雌二醇水平和颈动脉硬化的相关性。方法选取老年2型糖尿病患者93例,按照内膜中层厚度(IMT)程度分为IMT增厚组(54例)与IMT正常组(39例);另选取健康体检者47例作为对照组。采用彩色多普勒超声检查IMT情况,采用放射免疫法测定血清雌二醇含量。结果 2型糖尿病组血清雌二醇水平显著低于对照组,IMT厚度显著高于对照组(P<0. 05); 2型糖尿病组空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2 hPG)和糖化血红蛋白(Hb A1c)显著高于对照组(P<0. 05); IMT增厚组血清雌二醇水平显著低于IMT正常组,IMT厚度显著高于IMT正常组(P<0. 05); IMT增厚组与IMT正常组FPG、2 hPG和Hb A1c水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05); 2型糖尿病患者血清雌二醇水平与IMT增厚呈线性负相关(r=-0. 846,P<0. 05)。结论血清雌二醇水平降低可能为老年2型糖尿病发生颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素。     

同步放化疗联合巩固化疗与序贯放化疗对老年晚期非小细胞肺癌患者血清Chemerin水平及预后的影响比较

目的比较同步放化疗联合巩固化疗与序贯放化疗对老年晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者血清Chemerin水平及预后的影响。方法选择老年晚期NSCLC患者160例,随机分为对照组和观察组,各80例。对照组给予序贯放化疗方式治疗,观察组给予同步放化疗联合巩固化疗,2组进行3个月治疗。观察两组治疗后的疗效(采用RECIST进行评价)、癌因性疲乏评分及治疗前后血清Chemerin、CYFRA21-1水平变化和两组预后情况,包括:无进展生存期(PFS)、生存时间(OS)、1年生存率。结果观察组治疗后总有效率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。治疗前,2组癌因性疲乏评分各维度评分差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。治疗后,对照组与治疗前相比差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05),观察组与治疗前及对照组治疗后相比,差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。治疗前,两组血清Chemerin、CYFRA21-1水平差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。治疗后,两组血清Chemerin、CYFRA21-1水平均较治疗前显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05),观察组与治疗前及对照组治疗后相比明显下降,差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。观察组PFS、OS及1年生存率均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。结论与序贯放化疗相比,同步放化疗联合巩固化疗对老年晚期NSCLC的治疗优势更明显,能显著降低血清Chemer-in、CYFRA21-1水平,且能明显延长生存期。     

不同透析方式对慢性肾衰竭肾性骨病患者成纤维细胞生长因子23、钙磷及炎症因子的影响

目的探讨不同透析方式对慢性肾衰竭肾性骨病患者成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF) 23、钙(Ca)、磷(P)及炎症因子的影响。方法选择120例慢性肾衰竭肾性骨病患者,通过随机数表分为单纯血液透析(HD)组、联合血液透析滤过(HDF,HD+HDF)组、联合血液透析灌流(HP,HD+HP)组各40例,连续治疗12 w,比较3组治疗前后血尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(Scr)、甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、FGF23、Ca、P、白细胞介素(IL)-17、IL-23水平的变化,并比较治疗期间不良反应。结果治疗后,3组BUN、Scr水平较治疗前均显著降低(P<0. 05),HD+HDF组、HD+HP组差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05),但均明显低于HD组(P<0. 05);治疗后,HD组PTH、FGF23、Ca、P水平较治疗前差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05),HD+HDF组、HD+HP组PTH、FGF23、P水平较治疗前均明显降低,Ca水平明显升高(P<0. 05),两组治疗后各指标比较差异无统计学意义(P> 0. 05),HD+HDF组、HD+HP组PTH、FGF23、P水平均明显低于HD组,Ca水平明显高于HD组(P<0. 05);治疗后,HD组IL-17、IL-23水平较治疗前均显著升高(P<0. 05),HD+HDF组、HD+HP组与治疗前差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05),但均明显低于HD组(P<0. 05); 3组治疗期间恶心呕吐、低血压、头痛、肌肉痉挛、心律失常发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。结论和单纯HD比较,联合HDF、HP均可提高对慢性肾衰竭肾性骨病患者体内大、中分子毒素的清除效果,且可缓解微炎症反应,不良反应少。     

老年Graves病患者治疗前后骨密度与骨代谢指标的变化

目的探讨老年毒性弥漫性甲状腺肿(Graves病)患者治疗前后骨密度(BMD)与骨代谢指标的变化。方法选择2012年9月至2013年9月在该院接受治疗的43例Graves病患者为观察组,另选同期43例健康体检者为对照组,测定患者治疗前后的血Ca、P水平、血清骨钙素(BGP)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、1型胶原交联羧基末端肽(1CTP)及1型前胶原羧基末端前肽(P1CP)、BMD并与对照组进行对比分析。结果观察组43例Graves病患者中,甲亢患者并发骨量减少者35例(81.40%),并发骨质疏松者32例(74.42%)。观察组治疗前的游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3),游离甲状腺素(FT4)水平均显著高于对照组,TSH水平显著低于对照组(均P<0.05);观察组治疗后的FT3、FT4水平显著低于治疗前,TSH水平显著高于对照组(均P<0.05)。两组血Ca、P水平对比均无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。观察组治疗前的BGP、ALP、1CTP及P1CP水平均显著高于对照组(均P<0.05);治疗后的BGP、ALP、1CTP及P1CP水平均显著低于治疗前(均P<0.05)。两组在治疗前后PTH水平对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组治疗前的L2^L4、股骨颈、Ward三角及股骨粗隆的BMD值均显著低于对照组(均P<0.05);观察组治疗后的L2L4、股骨颈、Ward三角及股骨粗隆的BMD值均显著低于对照组(均P<0.05);观察组治疗后的L2^L4、Ward三角及股骨粗隆的BMD值均显著高于治疗前(均P<0.05),但与对照组相比差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论甲亢时各骨代谢指标均发生变化,易呈高转换型骨质疏松等症状。对于甲亢性骨质疏松的治疗,可优先针对甲亢,而后补充钙剂,并进行针对性处理。     

美多洛尔、苯那普利和非洛地平对高血压血管活性肽的影响

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者的血清血管紧张素I、Ⅱ(Ang I、Ⅱ)、心钠素(ANF)和醛固酮 (ALD)水平,及美多洛尔、苯那普利和非洛地平干预治疗后的变化和意义。方法:放射免疫法测定356例EH组和 68例非高血压组血清Ang I、Ⅱ,ANF和ALD水平,对EH患者分组给予美多洛尔、苯那普利和非洛地平干预治疗, 比较其治疗前、后的变化。结果:EH患者血清Ang I、Ⅱ和ALD水平显著高于对照组(P均<0．01),ANF则否 (P>0．05);高血压I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期组间血清4种活性肽水平的差异无显著性(P均>0．05)。Ang I与AngⅡ(r=0．511, P<0．01),ALD与Ang Ⅱ间(r=0．431,P<0．05)呈显著正相关,Ang I与ANF、ALD,AngⅡ与ANF,ANF与 ALD间无显著相关性(P均>0．05);Ang I、Ⅱ,ALD水平均与平均动脉压呈显著正相关(r=0．451,0．432,0．512, P均<0．01),ANF则否(P>0．05)。EH患者中,美多洛尔干预组(66例)治疗后血清Ang I、Ⅱ、ALD水平分别显著下降(P均<0．01);苯那普利干预治疗组(68例)后血清AngⅡ水平显著下降、ALD水平却显著升高(P均 <0．01);非洛地平干预组(80例)治疗后血清Ang I水平显著升高(P<0．05)。结论:EH患者血清Ang I、Ⅱ和 ALD水平显著升高,美多洛尔可使三者水平均显著下降,苯那普利仅使AngⅡ水平显著下降,ALD水平却显著升高, 而非洛地平却使血清Ang I水平显著升高。     

不同剂量阿托品对老年有机磷中毒患者血清酶学及胆碱酯酶变化的影响

目的探讨不同剂量阿托品对老年有机磷中毒患者血清酶学及胆碱酯酶变化的影响。方法选取老年有机磷中毒患者54例,根据应用阿托品的剂量分为大剂量组、中剂量组和小剂量组,3组均予洗胃、去除受污染衣物等处理,同时予对症支持治疗。观察3组血清酶含量、临床指标及毒副反应情况,同时对比胆碱酯酶水平。结果 3组一般资料比较差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05);治疗后3组血清酶含量〔肌酸激酶(CK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)〕、胆碱酯酶水平均显著降低(P<0. 05或P<0. 01),其中中剂量组CK、AST、胆碱酯酶水平显著低于其他两组(P<0. 01); 3组中毒症状缓解时间、住院总时间、重症监护室(ICU)住院时间差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05),中剂量组痊愈率明显高于其他两组,死亡率明显低于其他两组(P<0. 05);大剂量组心动过速、尿潴留、躁动的发生率最高,小剂量组最低,出现了心动过缓。结论中剂量阿托品治疗有机磷中毒的效果最佳,毒副反应最小,胆碱酯酶水平低,老年患者预后较好。     

糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清C1q肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白3的水平及意义

目的探讨糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清新型脂肪因子C1q肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白(CTRP)3水平及其临床意义。方法选择南通市第二人民医院内分泌科2016年1～12月老年单纯2型糖尿病患者100例作为2型糖尿病组(B组)、老年2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者100例作为2型糖尿病合并冠心病组(C组)及同期健康体检老年者100例作为对照组(A组)。收集受试者性别、年龄、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)等临床资料,收集总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、空腹血糖(FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)等实验室检查指标。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血清CTRP3水平。采用Gensini评分评估冠状动脉狭窄程度。结果三组受试者性别、年龄、SBP、DBP、TC、LDL-C比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05);三组BMI、TG、HDL-C、FBG、HbA1c比较差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05),其中与A组比较,B组和C组BMI、TG、FBG、HbA1c明显升高(均P<0.05),HDL-C明显降低(P<0.05),B组和C组BMI、TG、HDL-C、FBG、HbA1c比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。与A组比较,B组和C组血清CTRP3水平明显降低(P<0.05),与B组比较,C组血清CTRP3水平明显降低(P<0.05);与A组和B组比较,C组Gensini评分明显升高(P<0.05),A组和B组Gensini评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清CTRP3水平与BMI、TG、FBG、HbA1c、Gensini评分呈负相关(均P<0.05),与HDL-C呈正相关(P<0.05),与年龄、SBP、DBP、TC、LDL-C无相关性(均P>0.05)。血清CTRP3水平诊断糖尿病合并冠心病的ROC曲线下面积为0.857,95%CI为0.854～0.890,P=0.000。结论糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清新型脂肪因子CTRP3水平降低,CTRP3可能参与糖尿病合并冠心病患者的糖脂代谢过程,在疾病诊断和冠状动脉狭窄程度评估方面具有潜在价值。     

西藏大骨节病患者血清透明质酸、一氧化氮和硒水平检测分析

目的测定西藏成人大骨节病患者血清透明质酸(HA)、一氧化氮(NO)和硒(Se)水平的变化,探讨HA、NO和Se在西藏大骨节病发生发展的机理。方法在西藏拉萨大骨节病病区随机选取大骨节病患者30例(大骨节病组)、病区内健康者30例(病区内对照组)、非大骨节病病区健康者30例(病区外对照组),3组人群年龄、性别无显著差异。采取静脉血离心制备血清,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测HA、硝酸还原酶法测定NO、荧光法测定血清Se水平。结果①大骨节病组、病区内、外对照组血清HA水平分别为(68．56±8．34)、(90．55±18．25)、(92．18±14．61)μg/L,大骨节病组血清HA水平显著低于病区内、外健康对照组(P<0．05);②3组血清NO水平分别为(102．98±26．15)、(35．73±13．32)、(34．65±12．21)μmol／L,大骨节病组血清NO水平显著高于病区内、外健康对照组(P<0．05);③3组血清Se水平分别为(73．34±22．72)、(68．76±20．56)、(98．73±37．20)μg／L,病区人群血清Se水平显著高于非病区人群(P<0．05);④血清HA水平与血清Se水平呈显著正相关(r=0．196,P<0．05),血清Se水平与NO水平有负相关趋势,但差异无统计学意义(r=～0．085,P>0．05)。结论西藏成人大骨节病的发生发展与血清HA水平降低和NO水平升高有关。     

高龄急性心肌梗死患者PCI治疗有效性及安全性

目的分析急性心肌梗死(AMI)老年患者的临床特征,并探讨应用急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)治疗的有效性及安全性。方法老年AMI并行急诊PCI治疗的患者96例,根据年龄分为低龄老年组(65～74岁) 59例和高龄老年组(≥75岁) 37例。比较两组一般资料、冠状动脉造影、介入治疗相关指标及术后症状、术后并发症情况。结果两组性别、高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、脑梗死发生率、吸烟率及胸痛类型、肾功能不全、肝功能异常、房颤发生率、不同性别的左室舒张末期内径、射血分数、Killip分级及入院血小板计数、静脉应用硝酸酯类药物比例、门-球时间、住院时间(排除死亡患者)比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0. 05)。高龄老年组的血清D-二聚体水平显著高于低龄老年组(P<0. 04),血红蛋白浓度低于低龄老年组(P<0. 05)。两组心电图梗死图形比较,低龄老年组非ST段抬高型心肌梗死发病率显著高于高龄老年组(P<0. 05),其余类型〔前壁、下壁(包括右心室及正后壁)、高侧壁心肌梗死〕发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。两组左主干病变、病变血管平均数、"罪犯"血管、"罪犯"血管完全闭塞、非"罪犯"血管慢性闭塞发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05);侧支循环建立率、术前TIMI分级<3级、术后TIMI分级<3级发生率、单纯球囊扩张率比较差异亦无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。高龄老年组多支病变发生率明显高于低龄老年组(P<0. 05),术中使用升压药比例明显高于低龄老年组(P<0. 05),"罪犯"血管支架植入数量明显高于低龄老年组(P<0. 05)。两组术后胸痛症状均明显缓解,再发心绞痛、急性左心衰、出血及死亡的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。结论急诊PCI治疗AMI老年患者安全有效。     

中西医结合治疗血管性痴呆的疗效及对患者预后生存质量的影响

目的研究中西医结合治疗血管性痴呆(VD)的疗效及对患者预后生存质量的影响。方法 80例VD患者根据治疗方法分为对照组、研究组,各40例。对照组接受常规西医治疗,研究组在对照组基础上采用中西医结合治疗。比较两组治疗前后精神状态、生活质量。结果研究组治疗总有效率(92. 00%)显著高于对照组(72. 50%),差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05);治疗前,两组生存质量差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05);治疗后,两组生活质量均显著高于治疗前,且研究组显著优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。结论采用中西医结合治疗VD疗效显著,能有效改善患者认知功能及日常生活能力,提高生活质量。     

Vascular endothelium and inflammatory process, in patients with combined Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary atherosclerosis: the effects of vitamin C.

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are both associated with endothelial dysfunction and elevated oxidative and inflammatory state. We examined the effect of vitamin C on endothelial function and levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), in DM patients with or without CAD and in non-diabetic subjects. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with DM + CAD, 17 patients with DM without CAD and 21 non-diabetic subjects were divided into groups receiving vitamin C 2 g/day or no anti-oxidant for 4 weeks. Forearm blood flow was determined using venous occlusion gauge-strain plethysmography. Forearm vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia was considered as index of endothelium-dependent dilation. RESULTS: Baseline levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in patients with DM + CAD compared with patients with DM (P < 0.01) or non-diabetic subjects (P < 0.01). IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were also higher in DM compared with non-diabetic subjects (P < 0.05). sVCAM-1 levels were lower in non-diabetic controls compared with DM + CAD (P < 0.05) or DM (P < 0.05). Reactive hyperaemia was higher in non-diabetic controls compared with DM + CAD (P < 0.001) or DM (P < 0.001). Vitamin C significantly increased reactive hyperaemia only in the DM + CAD group, while it had no effect on serum levels of sVCAM-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired endothelial function and increased levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and sVCAM-1, especially in patients with DM and CAD. Vitamin C significantly increased forearm vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia only in patients with combined DM and CAD.     

Levels of ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and lipid peroxidation in the serum of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease affecting over 124 million individuals worldwide. DM is associated with high risk of atherosclerosis and renal, neural, and ocular damage. Increased oxidant stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of DM. An increase in serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels has also been reported in Type 2 DM. Cp permits the incorporation of iron into transferrin (Trf). Trf inhibits iron ion-dependent OHo formation from H2O2. Patients with diabetes have increased levels of plasma lipid peroxidation products. In this study, we evaluated 50 patients with Type 2 DM and 21 clinically healthy subjects. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I included 29 patients without diabetic complications, Group II 21 with diabetic complications. Serum Cp, Trf, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (Chol), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels are studied. Serum Cp, CRP, TG, Chol, and MDA levels in diabetic patients were significantly higher than those of controls. Trf levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients than those of the controls. Cp, CRP, HbA1C, and MDA levels in Group II were significantly higher than those of Group I. Our results indicate that oxygen free radicals are formed in DM and can result in diabetic complications and that a prooxidant/oxidant imbalance is involved in the tissue injury in DM and diabetic complications.     

Determination of left ventricular mass by echocardiography in normotensive diabetic patients

Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, even in the absence of hypertension. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is an ominous prognostic sign and an independent risk factor for cardiac events, is often present in Type 2 DM patients. Forty-two Type 2 DM patients without hypertension, all of whom had been diagnosed more than 10 years ago, were examined in the present study. They had no evidence of renal dysfunction and had not received any anti-hypertensive drugs. Age-matched healthy normal subjects (n=47) were recruited as controls. All participants were classified according to the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) using M-mode echocardiography and their systolic function (fractional shortening) was examined. The systolic function was not significantly different between the Type 2 DM and control groups. LVH can be seen even in the normotensive Type 2 DM patients, with these patients still having a higher LVMI than the normal control subjects. Although the plasma insulin levels were not significantly increased in the Type 2 DM patients, the LVMI significantly correlated with plasma insulin levels. However, the LVMI did not significantly correlate with plasma fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c in the Type 2 DM patients. These results suggest that LVH in Type 2 DM patients without hypertension may be associated with elevated plasma insulin levels.     

Antioxidant systems in polymorphonuclear leucocytes of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To examine the effect of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) on enzymes of importance for oxygen-dependent killing of microorganisms by leucocytes. METHODS: Twenty patients with Type 2 DM and 20 nondiabetic controls provided blood samples for analysis. RESULTS: The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower by 41% in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) from patients with Type 2 DM than in controls (3.42+/-0.32 U/mg of protein vs. 5.79+/-0.71 U/mg of protein, P<0.005). Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities of Type 2 DM patients were 73.04% and 81.12% of control values (0.84+/-0.07 nkat/mg of protein vs. 1.15+/-0.10 nkat/mg of protein, P<0.003, and 2.02+/-0.12 nkat/mg of protein vs. 2.49+/-0.16 nkat/mg of protein, P < 0.023, respectively). The catalase activity showed no significant difference. A significant increase (141.37% of control) in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive products was observed (9.91+/-0.78 miromol/l vs. 7.01+/-0.47 micromol/l, P<0.003). A positive correlation between thiobarbituric acid reactive products and glucose, glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine in the serum of diabetic patients was observed. CONCLUSION: These findings may explain some of the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to certain infection in patients with Type 2 DM.     

Distribution of autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase across the spectrum of diabetes mellitus seen in South Africa.

AIMS: This study investigated the association between glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-AB) and Type 1, Type 2, pancreatic and lipoatrophic diabetes mellitus (DM) in South African patients. METHODS: Four groups were selected: group A, 100 Black Type 1 DM patients (age at onset < 35 years, body mass index (BMI) < 27 kg/m2 and insulin dependent within 1 year of presentation); group B, 80 Black Type 2 DM patients (age at onset > 35 years, BMI > 27 kg/m2 and controlled on oral hypoglycaemic agents for at least 1 year after presentation); group C, 10 patients of varying ethnicity with DM or impaired glucose tolerance secondary to chronic pancreatitis; group D, five patients of varying ethnicity with DM associated with total lipodystrophy. Fifty healthy Black control subjects were also studied (group E). Serum GAD-AB and random C-peptide levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Mean C-peptide concentration was significantly lower in Type 1 DM patients than Type 2 DM patients (P < 0.00001). Forty-four patients with Type 1 DM were GAD-AB-positive compared to two patients with Type 2 DM. Two control subjects were also GAD-AB-positive. No patient in the other groups had a titre > 1 U/ml. Type 1 DM patients who were GAD-AB-positive did not differ from those who were GAD-AB-negative for age at onset, duration of DM or C-peptide concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Auto-immune beta-cell destruction has an important role in the pathogenesis of Type 1 DM amongst African patients. However, Type 2 African DM patients and other diabetes subtypes are largely GAD-AB-negative.     

Relationship of soluble RAGE and RAGE ligands HMGB1 and EN-RAGE to endothelial dysfunction in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) plays the essential role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. The aim of the study was to compare concentration of soluble RAGE and its ligands (EN-RAGE and HMGB1) with different biochemical parameters in Type 1 (T1DM) and Type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus.Total number of 154 persons (45 T1DM, 68 T2DM, 41 controls) was examined and concentrations of sRAGE, EN-RAGE and HMGB1 were measured and compared to diabetes control, albuminuria, cell adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases (MMPs).Mean serum sRAGE concentration was higher in T1DM as compared to controls (1137±532 ng/l vs. 824±309 ng/l, p<0.01). Similarly, EN-RAGE was significantly higher in both diabetic groups (p<0.001) and HMGB1 concentrations were elevated in T2DM patients (p<0.01). Significant relationship was found between MMP9 and HMGB1 and EN-RAGE in diabetic patients. Inverse relationship was observed between MMP2 and MMP9 in both types of diabetic patients (r= - 0.602, p<0.002 and r= - 0.771, p<0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between sRAGE and ICAM-1, VCAM-1 or vWF (p<0.01 to p<0.001).We conclude that serum sRAGE and RAGE ligands concentrations reflect endothelial dysfunction developing in diabetes.     

Codon 54 polymorphism of the fatty acid binding protein gene and insulin resistance in the Japanese population.

AIM: To determine the relationship of the polymorphism at codon 54 of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein gene (FABP2) with insulin resistance and susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Japanese population. METHODS: We evaluated the polymorphism by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 150 Type 2 DM patients and 147 healthy control subjects. The frequency of alleles encoding threonine (Thr54) and alanine (Ala54) at codon 54 of FABP2 in Type 2 DM patients was compared with that of healthy controls. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp in Type 2 DM patients with Ala54 homozygotes, Ala54/Thr54 heterozygotes and Thr54 homozygotes and by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in the nondiabetic group. RESULTS: The frequency of alleles encoding Ala54 and Thr54 was 0.59 and 0.41 in Type 2 DM patients, respectively, similar to that observed in nondiabetic controls (0.64 for Ala54 and 0.36 for Thr54). Insulin sensitivity was not significantly different between subjects with and without Thr54 allele either within the DM group or healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The allele encoding threonine in the FABP2 does not predispose to Type 2 DM or insulin resistance in the Japanese population.     

Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with diabetic nephropathy

We evaluated the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) infection with progression of diabetic nephropathy. Type 2 diabetic patients (60) were divided into two groups, those with incipient nephropathy and those with advanced nephropathy, based on the severity of diffuse glomerular lesions using Gellman's criteria. Type 2 (34) diabetic patients without nephropathy (normoalbuminuria) and 59 nondiabetics served as control groups. Serum IgG-antibody against CP was measured using ELISA. CP antibody was detected in 45.8% of nondiabetic controls, in 47.1% of diabetic patients without nephropathy, in 52.6% of diabetic patients with incipient nephropathy, and 78% of diabetic patients with advanced nephropathy. There was 4.22-fold increase in the risk of advanced nephropathy associated with the presence of CP antibody. Our findings indicate an association between chronic CP infection and advanced diabetic nephropathy.     

Effect of the inflammation, chronic hyperglycemia, or malabsorption on the apolipoprotein A-IV concentration in type 1 diabetes mellitus and in diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis

The metabolism of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV in diabetes mellitus (DM) is poorly understood. Several factors, such as dietary fat intake, fat malabsorption, acute inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation can disturb the plasma apo A-IV concentration. We have compared the plasma apo A-IV concentrations in patients with type 1 DM and DM secondary to chronic pancreatitis to determine the effects of combinations of these factors. We examined 4 groups of male patients with chronic pancreatitis without diabetes (ND-CP) (n = 12), diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis and insulin-treated (CP-DM) (n = 32), type 1 diabetes (n = 25), and controls (n = 20). Plasma apo A-IV was significantly lower in the chronic pancreatitis patients (ND-CP and CP-DM) than in the other patients. Inflammatory proteins (fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin, and haptoglobin) were significantly elevated in the 2 chronic pancreatitis groups. The apo A-IV concentration was positively correlated with hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) percentage in each group of diabetic patients (CP-DM, r =.35; P =.046; type 1 DM, r =.53; P =.010), in both groups of diabetic patients (r =.472; P <.0001) and negatively correlated with ceruloplasmin concentration in each group of diabetic patients (CP-DM, r = -.48; P =.0052; type 1 DM, r = -.66; P =.003), in both groups of diabetic patients (r = -.561; P <.0001), and in the whole population (r = -.463; P <.0001). Apo A-IV was also negatively correlated with haptoglobin in type 1 DM patients (r = -.434; P =.0435), in the both groups of diabetic patients (r = -.349; P =.0154), and in the whole population (r = -.351; P =.0019). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only HbA(1c) and ceruloplasmin were independent explanatory variables. Plasma apo A-IV is positively correlated with HbA(1c) suggesting that hyperglycemia per se selectively affects apo A-IV metabolism. The correlation between the concentrations of inflammatory protein and apo A-IV suggest a link between chronic inflammation and apo A-IV synthesis or catabolism. As apo A-IV is involved in reverse cholesterol transport, its low level in CP-DM may contribute to the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in these patients.     

The relationship of oxidized lipids to coronary artery stenosis

A total of 1200 patients with angina were cardiac catheterized establishing that 63% had 70-100% stenosis, 12% had 10-69% stenosis of one or more of their coronary arteries and 25% had microvascular angina listed as 0% stenosis. Prior to catheterization 10 ml of blood was drawn and the plasma subjected to analysis for the concentration of cholesterol, lipid peroxides (LPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), fibrinogen (FB), ceruloplasmin (CP) and activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs). Comparisons were made to non-smoking controls without angina. Significant differences in LPX were found between the patients with 0 and 10-69% stenosis (P<0.001), with 10-69 and 70-100% stenosis (P<0.001), and with 0 and 70-100% stenosis (P<0.001). Under 70 years of age there was a significant difference in LPX between patients with all levels of stenosis and age and sex matched controls (P<0.001). Differences in the mean plasma cholesterol concentration for different levels in the degree of stenosis were not significant, indicating that LPX provided consistent data on the severity of stenosis while the plasma cholesterol concentration did not. Compared with controls an increase in activation of PMNLs (P<0.01), an increase in concentration of both FB and CP (P<0.01) and a decrease in total antioxidant capacity were noted in the plasma of catheterized patients. In summary the concentration of oxidation products rather than the concentration of cholesterol in the plasma identified stenosis in cardiac catheterized patients.