Epigenetic modifications in diabetes

Vitamin D: recent advances, associated factors, and its role in combating non-communicable diseases

The field of nutrigenomics has produced numerous studies indicating the impact of vitamin D on various disease conditions. Trace elements of this vitamin in the body play a significant role in the regulation of body metabolism. This immunomodulatory vitamin plays a role in management of both communicable (viz. respiratory illness like COVID-19 and Respiratory tract infections) and non-communicable diseases e.g., cancer, osteomalacia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Deficient levels, i.e., vitamin D deficiency in body can lead to the onset of chronic non-communicable illnesses. Vitamin D plays a direct and sometimes indirect role in the progression (when deficient) and prevention (when sufficient) of non-communicable diseases. This essential nutrient may be obtained through dietary intake or supplements. However, the absorption of it relies on various factors, including the presence of complementary nutrients, chemical forms, and external stimuli such as UV-B and a healthy gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses vitamin D absorption and its role in non-communicable diseases with updates on methods for evaluating and fortifying this vitamin in varied diets. We also briefly highlight recommended dietary allowances by age group, absorption difficulties, and its significance in non-communicable disorders.

Advancements in the study of DLK1 in the pathogenesis of diabetes

DLK1, as a membrane-bound protein, has been extensively studied in the field of cancer research. As a ligand downstream of the Notch pathway, it broadly influences developmental and metabolic processes in the body. With deeper research, it has been found that DLK1 can induce the synthesis and secretion of insulin through the ERK and AKT pathways, playing a crucial role in the development of metabolic diseases. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or inadequate utilization of insulin by the body. This article aims to review the relationship between DLK1 and diabetes, recent research advancements, and to discuss future research directions and challenges.

Mechanisms of Impaired Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Epigenetic Factors

Despite decades of research, impaired extremity wound healing in type 2 diabetes remains a significant driver of patient morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Advances in surgical and medical therapies, including the advent of endovascular interventions for peripheral artery disease and topical therapies developed to promote wound healing, have not reduced the frequency of lower leg amputations for nonhealing wounds in type 2 diabetes. This brief report is aimed at reviewing the roles of various cell types in tissue repair and summarizing the known dysfunctions of these cell types in diabetic foot ulcers. Recent advances in our understanding of the epigenetic regulation in immune cells identified to be altered in type 2 diabetes are summarized, and particular attention is paid to the developing research defining the epigenetic regulation of structural cells, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Gaps in knowledge are highlighted, and potential future directions are suggested based on the current state of the field.

Epigenetic Regulation of Sorbitol Dehydrogenase in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients: DNA Methylation, Histone Acetylation and microRNA-320

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between epigenetic markers and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Patients and Methods

We conducted a case control study on 40 patients with type 2 diabetes and DR and 40 patients with type 2 diabetes without DR. Clinical data and ophthalmological examinations were performed to confirm the presence or absence of DR. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, microRNA-320 levels, and SDH enzyme activity. The epigenetic markers were evaluated using enzyme linked immunosorbent modified assay. The data were analyzed using statistical tests, including Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression.

Results

In patients with DR, there was a significant negative correlation between microRNA-320 levels and SDH enzyme activity (r=-0.968, p=0.000). No significant correlations were found between DNA methylation or histone acetylation and SDH activity. Multivariate analysis confirmed the strong negative correlation between microRNA-320 and SDH (r = -0.727, p=0.000), with microRNA-320 explaining 58.1% of the variance in SDH levels.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that microRNA-320 plays a crucial role in regulating SDH enzyme activity in patients with type 2 diabetes and DR. The development of microRNA-320-based therapies, such as miRNA mimics or antagomirs, may offer a novel approach to modulating SDH activity and mitigating the detrimental effects of the polyol pathway in DR. Further researches are needed to validate the results and mechanism underlying the correlation between epigenetic regulation SDH in DR.

System genetic analysis of intestinal cancer and periodontitis development as influenced by aging and diabesity using Collaborative Cross mice

It is increasingly recognized that young, chow-fed inbred mice poorly model the complexity of human carcinogenesis. In humans, age and adiposity are major risk factors for malignancies, but most genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) induce carcinogenesis too rapidly to study these influences. Standard strains, such as C57BL/6, commonly used in GEMMs, further limit the exploration of aging and metabolic health effects. A similar challenge arises in modeling periodontitis, a disease influenced by aging, diabesity, and genetic architecture. We propose using diverse mouse populations with hybrid vigor, such as the Collaborative Cross (CC) × ApcMin hybrid, to slow disease progression and better model human colorectal cancer (CRC) and comorbidities. This perspective highlights the advantages of this model, where delayed carcinogenesis reveals interactions with aging and adiposity. Unlike ApcMin mice, which develop cancer rapidly, CC × ApcMin hybrids recapitulate human-like progression. This facilitates the identification of modifier loci affecting inflammation, diet susceptibility, organ size, and polyposis distribution. The CC × ApcMin model offers a transformative platform for studying CRC as a disease of adulthood, reflecting its complex interplay with aging and comorbidities. The insights gained from this approach will enhance early detection, management, and treatment strategies for CRC and related conditions.

Targeting Epigenetic Plasticity to Reduce Periodontitis-Related Inflammation in Diabetes: CBD, Metformin, and Other Natural Products as Potential Synergistic Candidates for Regulation? A Narrative Review

Periodontitis is unanimously accepted to be the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), while the inverse relationship of causality is still to be deciphered. Among the proposed mechanisms is gut dysbiosis, which is responsible for the systemic release of proinflammatory mediators. In this process, Gram-negative bacteria from the oral cavity enter the general circulation, leading to the emergence of bi-hormonal beta-pancreatic cells that lack the ability to secrete insulin. Additionally, epigenetic and adaptive mechanisms in affected cells may play a role in reducing inflammation. The release of reactive oxygen species, proinflammatory cytokines, and adipokines, such as interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha, leptin, prostaglandin E2, C-reactive protein, or matrix metalloproteinases, determine epigenetic changes, such as the methylation of DNA nucleotides or changes in the activity of histone acetylases/deacetylases. The management of periodontitis involves targeting inflammation, and its potential connection to epigenetic modulation observed in other chronic conditions may help to explain its role in preventing DM in affected patients. This review focuses on the key epigenetic changes in periodontitis that might contribute to DM development, and explores the mechanisms and novel multi-drug therapies that could help to prevent these effects.

An update on current type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) druggable targets and drugs targeting them

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia and affects millions of people globally. Even after advancement and development in medical science, it is a big task to achieve victory over type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM can be a reason for fatal events like stroke, cardiac failure, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Many advanced antidiabetic drugs have been introduced in the market in the past two decades, leading researchers to hunt for new target proteins and their potential modulators that can help develop newer antidiabetic drugs. This review article comprises a broad literature of the latest developments in the management of T2DM concerning new target proteins, their inhibitors, or drugs from the clinical arena employed for the successful management of symptoms of T2DM using mono, dual, or triple combination medication therapy. The review categorizes antidiabetic drugs into three general classes that include conventional drug targets, currently explored targets, and upcoming emerging targets. The review aims to merge information on the medicines affecting these targets, their mechanisms, followed by the chemical structures, and recent advancements.

Defining the genetic profile of prostate cancer

Several studies indicated that prostate cancer has a hereditary component. In particular, a significant risk of prostate cancer has been linked to a tight familial lineage. However, to provide insight into how prostate cancer is inherited, characterising its genetic profile is essential. The current body of research on the analysis of genetic mutations in prostate cancer was reviewed to achieve this. This paper reports on the effects and underlying processes of prostate cancer that have been linked to decreased male fertility. Many research approaches used have resulted in the discovery of unique inheritance patterns and manifest traits, the onset and spread of prostate cancer have also been linked to many genes. Studies have specifically examined Androgen Receptor gene variants about prostate cancer risk and disease progression. Research has shown that genetic and environmental variables are important contributors to prostate cancer, even if the true origins of the disease are not fully recognised or established. Researchers studying the genetics of prostate cancer are using genome-wide association studies more and more because of their outstanding effectiveness in revealing susceptibility loci for prostate cancer. Genome-Wide Association Studies provides a detailed method for identifying the distinct sequence of a gene that is associated with cancer risk. Surgical procedures and radiation treatments are 2 of the treatment options for prostate cancer. Notwithstanding the compelling evidence shown in this work, suggests that more research must be done to detect the gene alterations and the use of genetic variants in the treatment of prostate cancer.

New Insights on the miRNA Role in Diabetic Tendinopathy: Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Medium as a Potential Innovative Epigenetic-Based Therapy for Tendon Healing

BACKGROUND

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (ASC-CM) improved the viability and wound closure of human tenocytes (HTCN) exposed to high glucose (HG) by activating the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) pathway.

OBJECTIVES

Since ASC-CM can also modulate microRNAs (miRNAs) in recipient cells, this study investigated the effects of ASC-CM on the miRNAs regulating tendon repair (miR-29a-3p, miR-210-3p and miR-21-5p) in HG-HTNC.

METHODS

ASC-CM was obtained by ASCs isolated from the abdominal fat tissue of seven non-diabetic patients. HTNC were cultured in HG for 20 days, then scratched and exposed for 24 h to ASC-CM. qRT-PCR and ELISAs assessed miRNA and target levels.

RESULTS

HG-HTNC exhibited a significant downregulation of miRNAs. ASC-CM restored the levels of miRNAs and their related targets involved in tendon repair.

CONCLUSIONS

The epigenetic modulation observed in HG-HTNC exposed to ASC-CM could be an innovative option in the management of diabetic tendinopathy.

Merged Red and NIR Light Sources for Photobiomodulation Therapy in Diabetic Wound Healing

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is considered an effective and safe therapeutic modality in supporting the treatment of complications from a global pandemic-diabetes. In this study, PBM therapy is investigated to accelerate wound healing in diabetic mice (DM), under the combined biological effects of red light from a red organic light-emitting diode (ROLED) and near-infrared (NIR) light from an NIR conversion film (NCF) with dispersed CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The QD concentration and the NCF structure were optimized to maximize the optical properties and mechanical stability. A merged red/NIR device (MRND) was produced by integrating the optimized NCF and ROLED for PBM therapy. As a result of irradiating DM with MRND at a dose of 2 J/cm2, after 10 days, the wounds recovered three times faster than DM without MRND. Additionally, MRND light not only restored the epidermal thickness to normal but also significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The experimental results show that the proposed PBM therapy has the potential to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients by helping them with rapid wound healing.

Correlation Between the Ratio of Uric Acid to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (UHR) and Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objective

Considering the uncertain relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid (UA) with diabetic retinopathy (DR),this study investigates the link between Uric Acid to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (UHR) and DR in T2DM patients, evaluating its potential for DR diagnosis and early prediction.

Study Design and Data Collection

This retrospective study analyzed 1450 type 2 diabetes patients, divided into NDR and DR groups by retinal exams. We gathered demographic and clinical data, calculated UHR, and explored its correlation with DR development.

Outcomes

Individuals diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (DR) exhibited a markedly elevated uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (UHR) ratio when contrasted with those without DR (NDR), achieving statistical significance with a P-value below 0.001. The Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test for linear association validated a pronounced positive correlation between the UHR ratio and the incidence of DR (P<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid (UA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the UHR ratio were all independent risk factors for the development of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the UHR ratio was the most precise predictor for diagnosing DR, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 78.4%, a sensitivity of 87%, and a specificity of 60.6%.

Conclusion

Our research has found that the UHR ratio is an independent risk factor for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes and can serve as a readily available indicator that takes into account both metabolic status and inflammatory status for the early detection of DR.

Blood Glucose-Lowering Activity of Compound Herbo-Mineral Unani Formulation Qurs-e-Ziabetus in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

A polyherbal Unani formulation, Qurs-e-Ziabetus (QZ), is mentioned in Unani literature for managing diabetes-like conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of QZ, which is mentioned in classical Unani literature, in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Sprague Dawley rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening of QZ and HPTLC fingerprint profile was developed. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in normal euglycemic SD rats. Further, antihyperglycemic potential was tested in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Treatment of QZ (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) was provided for 28 days. After 28 days, all the rats had fasted overnight, and blood samples were collected and subjected to biochemical estimation and hematology parameters. The pancreas, liver, and kidneys were collected, and histopathological analysis was performed. Various phytoconstituents are detected in QZ. In OGTT, QZ treatment did not significantly decrease blood glucose levels in rats challenged with glucose (2 gm/kg). On day 28 in the nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetes model, the QZ showed a significant dose-dependent fasting blood glucose lowering effect compared to diabetic control. QZ and glibenclamide treatment did not affect the body weights or biochemical and hematology parameters of nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Histological analyses of the pancreas, liver, and kidney were observed, with some changes in the diabetic group compared to normal control. At the same time, QZ treatment revealed improved histopathological changes induced by Streptozotocin and further diabetic conditions. The study data demonstrates the antihyperglycemic potential of QZ up on administration for 28 days in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Polycomb in female reproductive health: patterning the present and programming the future

Epigenetic modifications regulate chromatin accessibility, gene expression, cell differentiation and tissue development. As epigenetic modifications can be inherited via mitotic and meiotic cell divisions, they enable a heritable memory of cell identity and function and can alter inherited characteristics in the next generation. Tight regulation of epigenetic information is critical for normal cell function and is often disrupted in diseases including cancer, metabolic, neurological and inherited congenital conditions. The ovary performs critical functions in female reproductive health and fertility, including oocyte and sex-hormone production. Oocytes undergo extensive epigenetic programming including the establishment of maternal genomic imprints, which are critical for offspring health and development. Epigenetic modifiers also regulate ovarian somatic cells, such as granulosa and theca cells which support oocytes and produce hormones. While ovarian dysfunction contributes to serious ovarian conditions such as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancers, the roles of epigenetic modifications in the ovary and their contribution to ovarian dysfunction are not properly understood. Here we review recent advancements in understanding Polycomb proteins, important epigenetic modifiers that have emerging roles in ovarian development and maternal epigenetic inheritance. Polycomb group proteins (PcGs) contribute to the faithful establishment of epigenetic information in oocytes, a process essential for normal offspring development in mice. Emerging evidence also indicates that PcGs regulate ovarian function and female fertility. Understanding these and similar mechanisms will provide greater insight into the epigenetic regulation of ovarian and oocyte function, and how its disruption can impact reproductive health and maternal inheritance.

Mapping the evolution and impact of ketogenic diet research on diabetes management: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis from 2005 to 2024

Objective

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been explored for diabetes management; however, a quantitative synthesis of its specific effects on diabetes has not yet been conducted. This study aims to examine the current status and research hotspots of KD in diabetes management from 2005 to 2024, providing a reference for future research.

Methods

We retrieved articles published between 2005 and 2024 from the Web of Science database and analyzed them using R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

Results

This study includes 432 relevant publications. From 2005 to 2024, the volume of literature in this field has shown a steady upward trend, with a notable increase from 2017 to 2021, and a slight decline observed from 2021 to 2023. The United States is the leading country in terms of the number of publications, followed by China, Australia, and Canada. The United States not only leads in publication volume but also maintains a broader international collaboration network. Nutrients and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition are the most frequently published and cited journals. Current research hotspots primarily focus on the impact of KD on blood glucose control, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism in diabetic patients. Mechanistic studies on KD in diabetes management concentrate on aspects such as the "regulation of genes by β-hydroxybutyrate," "anti-inflammatory effects," and "oxidative stress." The role of the gut microbiome is also emerging as an important research area. Currently, exploring the application of KD in managing different age groups and types of diabetes has become a significant research trend.

Conclusion

As an emerging dietary intervention, KD is gradually attracting widespread attention from researchers around the world and is expected to become a major research focus in the future for diabetes management and control. This paper provides a systematic review and analysis of the current research status and hotspots of KD in diabetes management, offering important references and insights for future research in related fields.

Epigenetics research in eye diseases: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A bibliometric analysis is a quantitative study that utilises methods such as citation analysis to evaluate research performance. A bibliometric analysis could provide a valuable reference for ophthalmic researchers to understand the trends in epigenetics research.

BACKGROUND

The number of studies on epigenetics in eye diseases has exceeded 5,000, but the progress and scope of epigenetic research on eye diseases remain unclear. The study aimed to bibliometrically analyse epigenetic research conducted in eye diseases.

METHODS

Studies concerning epigenetic research on eye diseases from 2000-2023 were searched using the Web of Science Core Collection. Following this, the included studies were analysed for citations, journals, keywords, authors, and countries, using the Bibliometrix package in R Studio.

RESULTS

In total, 3758 studies were included in the analysis, including 3099 original articles, 599 reviews, 11 editorials, and 49 early access articles. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science was the most published journal with 185 articles, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America was the most cited journal, with 8727 citations. The journal with the highest h-index was Oncogene (h-index = 38).Renu A Kowluru from the Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA, had the most citations with 1,690 and the highest h-index (h-index = 23). China and the USA were the countries with the highest number of publications (1739) and total citations (40533), respectively. Furthermore, from 2000-2023, the top five frequent research topics were diabetic retinopathy, 522; microribonucleic acid, 469; retinoblastoma, 370; apoptosis, 268; and epigenetics, 206.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this bibliometric study provide the current status and trends of epigenetic research in eye diseases and will help researchers identify areas of current interest in the field, which should help highlight new research directions.

Systemic inflammation, oxidative damage and neurocognition predict telomere length in a transdiagnostic sample stratified by global DNA methylation levels

Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that molecular pathways and neurocognitive performance regulate epigenetic dynamics in these disorders. The current combined and transdiagnostic study investigated whether inflammatory, oxidative stress, adhesion molecule, neurocognitive and functional performance are significant predictors of telomere dynamics in a sample stratified by global DNA methylation levels. Peripheral blood inflammation, oxidative stress and adhesion molecule biomarkers and neurocognitive function were assessed twice over a 1-year period in 80 individuals, including 16 with schizophrenia (SZ), 16 with bipolar disorder (BD), 16 with major depressive disorder (MDD), 15 with T2DM, and 17 healthy controls (HCs). Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was measured by qRT-PCR using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from peripheral blood samples. A posteriori, individuals were classified based on their global methylation score (GMS) at baseline into two groups: the below-average methylation (BM) and above-average methylation (AM) groups. Hierarchical and k-means clustering methods, mixed one-way analysis of variance and linear regression analyses were performed. Overall, the BM group showed a significantly higher leukocyte telomere length (LTL) than the AM group at both time points (p = 0.02; η2p = 0.06). Moreover, the BM group had significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p = 0.03; η2p = 0.06) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.03; η2p = 0.06) than the AM group at the 1-year follow-up. Across all participants, the regression models showed that oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species [ROS]) (p = 0.04) and global cognitive score [GCS] (p = 0.02) were significantly negatively associated with LTL, whereas inflammatory (TNF-α) (p = 0.04), adhesion molecule biomarkers (inter cellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) (p = 0.009), and intelligence quotient [IQ] (p = 0.03) were significantly positively associated with LTL. Moreover, the model predictive power was increased when tested in both groups separately, explaining 15.8% and 28.1% of the LTL variance at the 1-year follow-up for the AM and BM groups, respectively. Heterogeneous DNA methylation in individuals with T2DM and severe mental disorders seems to support the hypothesis that epigenetic dysregulation occurs in a transdiagnostic manner. Our results may help to elucidate the interplay between epigenetics, molecular processes and neurocognitive function in these disorders. DNA methylation and LTL are potential therapeutic targets for transdiagnostic interventions to decrease the risk of comorbidities.

MiR-9-3 hypermethylation is associated with stages of diabetic retinopathy

Purpose

To investigate the potential relation between methylation of miR-9-3 and stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Additionally, we explored whether miR-9-3 methylation impacts the serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 170 participants with type 2 diabetes, including a control group (n = 64) and a diabetes retinopathy group (n = 106), which was further divided into NPDR (n = 58) and PDR (n = 48) subgroups. Epidemiological, clinical, anthropometric, biochemical ELISA assay were analysed. DNA extracted from leukocytes was used to profile miR-9-3 methylation using PCR-MSP.

Results

MiR-9-3 hypermethylated profile was higher in the DR group (p < 0.001) and PDR subgroup compared to DM2 control group (p < 0.001). The hypermethylated profile in the PDR subgroup was also higher compared to NPDR subgroup (p < 0.001). There was no difference between DM2 control and NPDR group (p = 0.234). Logistic regression showed that miR-9-3 hypermethylation increases the odds of presenting DR (OR: 2.826; p = 0.002) and PDR (OR: 5.472; p < 0.001). In addition, hypermethylation of miR-9-3 in the DR and NPDR subgroup was associated with higher serum VEGF-A levels (p = 0.012 and p = 0.025, respectively).

Conclusion

The methylation profile of the miR-9-3 promoter increases the risk of developing PDR. Higher levels of VEGF-A are associated with miR-9-3 hypermethylated profile in patients in the DR and NPDR stages.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01411-9.

Bioactive alkaloidal and phenolic phytochemicals as promising epidrugs for diabetes mellitus 2: A review of recent development

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains a major chronic metabolic disorder affecting hundreds of millions of the global population, mostly among adults, engendering high rates of morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by complex aetiologies including insulin deficiency and resistance, and hyperglycemia, and these significantly constitute therapeutic challenges. Several pathways have been implicated in its pathophysiology and treatment including the epigenetic regulatory mechanism, notably, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation/demethylation, histone modification, non-coding ribonucleic acid (ncRNA) modulation and other relevant pathways. Many studies have recently documented the implications of phytochemicals on the aforementioned biomarkers in the pathogenesis and treatment of T2D. In this review, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the epigenetic effects of some bioactive alkaloidal and phenolic phytochemicals as potential therapeutic alternatives for T2D have been overviewed from the recent literature (2019-2024). From the survey, the natural product-based compounds, C1-C32 were curated as potent epigenetic modulators for T2D. Their cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-T2D activities with relevant epigenetic biomarkers were revealed. Although, more comprehensive experimental analyses are observably required for validating their activity and toxicological indices. Thus, perspectives and challenges were enumerated for such demanding future translational studies. The review reveals advances in scientific efforts towards reversing the global trend of T2D through epigenetic phytotherapeutics.

Rosa canina extract relieves methylation alterations of pancreatic genes in STZ-induced diabetic rats : Gene methylation in diabetic rats treated with an extract

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that affects many parts of the body. Considering diabetes as a beta cells' defect and loss, the focus is on finding mechanisms and compounds involved in stimulating the function and regeneration of pancreatic β-cells. DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism plays a pivotal role in the β-cells' function and development. Considering the regenerative and anti-diabetic effects of Rosa canina extract, this study aimed to assess the methylation levels of Pdx-1, Pax-4, and Ins-1 genes in diabetic rats treated with Rosa Canina extract.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used to evaluate the frequency of Pdx-1, Pax-4, and Ins-1 gene methylation. Treatment groups were exposed to Rosa canina as spray-dried and decoction extracts. Following blood glucose measurement, pancreatic DNA was extracted and bisulfited. Genes' methylation was measured using MSP-PCR and qRT-PCR techniques. Oral administration of Rosa canina extracts significantly reduced blood sugar levels in diabetic rats compared to the control group. The methylation levels of the Pdx-1, Pax-4, and Ins-1 genes promoter in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats increased compared to the control rats while, the treatment of diabetic rats with Rosa canina extracts, spray-dried samples especially, led to a decreased methylation in these genes.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that Rosa canina extract as a spray-dried sample could be effective in treating diabetes by regulating the methylation of genes including Pdx-1, Pax-4, and Ins-1 involved in the activity and regeneration of pancreatic islet cells.

Epigenetic alterations dictating the inflammation: A view through pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a severe inflammation in the pancreas and accounts for one of the leading gastrointestinal disorders worldwide, and presently pacing up with the morbidity and mortality rates. It has been noted that severe recurrences of acute pancreatitis lead to chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the pancreas which may further result to a long-term risk of pancreatic carcinogenesis which has a lower survival rate and worse prognosis. Several genetic and epigenetic mechanisms have been reported to orchestrate disease development. Intriguingly, concurrent epigenetic alterations can also control the genes responsible for the pathophysiology of several inflammatory pathways. Deciphering how epigenetic changes affect the inflammatory processes in pancreatitis and body's response to various therapeutic modalities may help to manage the condition more effectively. The current review will concentrate on several epigenetic changes in general and how specifically they are implicated in pancreatitis pathogenesis. Further, this review summarizes the involvement of inflammation in pancreatitis from an epigenetic perspective.

MT-EpiPred: Multitask Learning for Prediction of Small-Molecule Epigenetic Modulators

Epigenetic modulators play an increasingly crucial role in the treatment of various diseases. In this case, it is imperative to systematically investigate the activity of these agents and understand their influence on the entire epigenetic regulatory network rather than solely concentrate on individual targets. This work introduces MT-EpiPred, a multitask learning method capable of predicting the activity of compounds against 78 epigenetic targets. MT-EpiPred demonstrated outstanding performance, boasting an average auROC of 0.915 and the ability to handle few-shot targets. In comparison to the existing method, MT-EpiPred not only expands the target pool but also achieves superior predictive performance with the same data set. MT-EpiPred was then applied to predict the epigenetic target of a newly synthesized compound (1), where the molecular target was unknown. The method identified KDM4D as a potential target, which was subsequently validated through an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay, revealing an IC50 of 4.8 μM. The MT-EpiPred method has been implemented in the web server MT-EpiPred (http://epipred.com), providing free accessibility. In summary, this work presents a convenient and accurate tool for discovering novel small-molecule epigenetic modulators, particularly in the development of selective inhibitors and evaluating the impact of these inhibitors over a broad epigenetic network.

Dietary flavonoids prevent diabetes through epigenetic regulation: advance and challenge

The pathophysiology of diabetes has been studied extensively in various countries, but effective prevention and treatment methods are still insufficient. In recent years, epigenetics has received increasing attention from researchers in exploring the etiology and treatment of diabetes. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs play critical roles in the occurrence, maintenance, and progression of diabetes and its complications. Therefore, preventing or reversing the epigenetic alterations that occur during the development of diabetes may reduce the individual and societal burden of the disease. Dietary flavonoids serve as natural epigenetic modulators for the discovery of biomarkers for diabetes prevention and the development of alternative therapies. However, there is limited knowledge about the potential beneficial effects of flavonoids on the epigenetics of diabetes. In this review, the multidimensional epigenetic effects of different flavonoid subtypes in diabetes were summarized. Furthermore, it was discussed that parental flavonoid diets might reduce diabetes incidence in offspring, which represent a promising opportunity to prevent diabetes in the future. Future work will depend on exploring anti-diabetic effects of different flavonoids with different epigenetic regulation mechanisms and clinical trials.Highlights• "Epigenetic therapy" could reduce the burden of diabetic patients• "Epigenetic diet" ameliorates diabetes• Targeting epigenetic regulations by dietary flavonoids in the diabetes prevention• Dietary flavonoids prevent diabetes via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Hyperglycemia-regulated tRNA-derived fragment tRF-3001a propels neurovascular dysfunction in diabetic mice

Neurovascular dysfunction is a preclinical manifestation of diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR). Herein, we report that a transfer RNA-derived RNA fragment, tRF-3001a, is significantly upregulated under diabetic conditions. tRF-3001a downregulation inhibits Müller cell activation, suppresses endothelial angiogenic effects, and protects against high-glucose-induced retinal ganglion cell injury in vitro. Furthermore, tRF-3001a downregulation alleviates retinal vascular dysfunction, inhibits retinal reactive gliosis, facilitates retinal ganglion cell survival, and preserves visual function and visually guided behaviors in STZ-induced diabetic mice and db/db diabetic mice. Mechanistically, tRF-3001a regulates neurovascular dysfunction in a microRNA-like mechanism by targeting GSK3B. Clinically, tRF-3001a is upregulated in aqueous humor (AH) samples of DR patients. tRF-3001a downregulation inhibits DR-induced human retinal vascular endothelial cell and Müller cell dysfunction in vitro and DR-induced retinal neurovascular dysfunction in C57BL/6J mice. Thus, targeting tRF-3001a-mediated signaling is a promising strategy for the concurrent treatment of vasculopathy and neuropathy in diabetes mellitus.

Genome-Wide Identification of lncRNA and mRNA for Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia

Purpose

According to the World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia ranks seventh worldwide in the number of patients with diabetes mellitus. To our knowledge, no research has addressed the potential of noncoding RNA as a diagnostic and/or management biomarker for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) living in high-altitude areas. This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers influencing patients with T2DM living in high-altitude areas by analyzing lncRNA and mRNA.

Patients and Methods

RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to identify significantly expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in T2DM and healthy control groups. Coding potential was analyzed using coding-noncoding indices, the coding potential calculator, and PFAM, and the lncRNA function was predicted using Pearson's correlation. Differentially expressed transcripts between the groups were identified, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed to identify the biological functions of both lncRNAs and mRNAs.

Results

We assembled 1766 lncRNAs in the T2DM group, of which 582 were novel. This study identified three lncRNA target genes (KLF2, CREBBP, and REL) and seven mRNAs (PIK3CD, PIK3R5, IL6R, TYK2, ZAP70, LAMTOR4, and SSH2) significantly enriched in important pathways, playing a role in the progression of T2DM.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this comprehensive study is the first to explore the applicability of certain lncRNAs as diagnostic or management biomarkers for T2DM in females in Taif City, Saudi Arabia through the genome-wide identification of lncRNA and mRNA profiling using RNA seq and bioinformatics analysis. Our findings could help in the early diagnosis of T2DM and in designing effective therapeutic targets.

Physical exercise and persistent organic pollutants

Exposure to the legacy and emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs) incessantly has become an important threat to individual health, which is closely related to neurodevelopment, endocrine and cardiovascular homeostasis. Exercise, on the other hand, has been consistently shown to improve physical fitness. Whereas associations between traditional air pollutants, exercise and lung function have been thoroughly reviewed, reviews on associations between persistent organic pollutants and exercise are scarce. Hence, a literature review focused on exercise, exposure to POPs, and health risk assessment was performed for studies published from 2004 to 2022. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of exposure pathways and levels of POPs during exercise, as well as the impact of exercise on health concerns attributable to the redistribution, metabolism, and excretion of POPs in vivo. Therein lies a broader array of exercise benefits, including insulin sensitizing, mitochondrial DNA repair, lipid metabolism and intestinal microecological balance. Physical exercise is conducive to reduce POPs body burden and resistant to health hazards of POPs generally. Besides, individual lipid metabolism condition is a critical factor in evaluating potential link in exercise, POPs and health effects.

Diabetic vascular diseases: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Vascular complications of diabetes pose a severe threat to human health. Prevention and treatment protocols based on a single vascular complication are no longer suitable for the long-term management of patients with diabetes. Diabetic panvascular disease (DPD) is a clinical syndrome in which vessels of various sizes, including macrovessels and microvessels in the cardiac, cerebral, renal, ophthalmic, and peripheral systems of patients with diabetes, develop atherosclerosis as a common pathology. Pathological manifestations of DPDs usually manifest macrovascular atherosclerosis, as well as microvascular endothelial function impairment, basement membrane thickening, and microthrombosis. Cardiac, cerebral, and peripheral microangiopathy coexist with microangiopathy, while renal and retinal are predominantly microangiopathic. The following associations exist between DPDs: numerous similar molecular mechanisms, and risk-predictive relationships between diseases. Aggressive glycemic control combined with early comprehensive vascular intervention is the key to prevention and treatment. In addition to the widely recommended metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, for the latest molecular mechanisms, aldose reductase inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonizts, glucokinases agonizts, mitochondrial energy modulators, etc. are under active development. DPDs are proposed for patients to obtain more systematic clinical care requires a comprehensive diabetes care center focusing on panvascular diseases. This would leverage the advantages of a cross-disciplinary approach to achieve better integration of the pathogenesis and therapeutic evidence. Such a strategy would confer more clinical benefits to patients and promote the comprehensive development of DPD as a discipline.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Oxalis pes-caprae extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes and its complications are closely correlated with chronic hyperglycemia, causing severe oxidative stress and leading to glycation reaction with formation of advanced glycation end products. However, medicinal plants are still a source of inspiration for the discovery of new treatments of several diseases, including diabetes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of Oxalis pes-caprae flowers extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The phytochemical and antioxidant activities of both aqueous and methanolic extracts were assessed by in-vitro testing such as free radical scavenging assays (DPPH and ABTS⁺), ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) chelating activity and reducing power assay. Additionally, the detection of Amadori products and advanced glycation end products was used to determine the antiglycation potential. α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory assessment was employed to determine the antidiabetic effect, while alloxan-induced diabetic mice were used to measure the in-vivo activities of antioxidants and carbohydrates enzymes. The effect of the methanolic extract on body weight and blood glucose level of extract-treated diabetic mice were also investigated. Among the tested extract, the methanolic extract was the richest in phenolic compounds which is directly related with their remarkable antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation activity. The oral administration of the two doses of Oxalis pes-caprae flowers (150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) daily for 3 weeks resulted in hypoglycemic effect compared to the reference drug, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, the extract was shown to significantly increase the activities of antioxidants and glycolysis enzymes in the liver, kidney and spleen of diabetic mice, compared to diabetic control group. Therefore, Oxalis pes-caprae extract effectively exhibited hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects as indicated by in-vitro and in-vivo studies, confirming the protective effects on hyperglycemia and oxidative damage.

Epigenetic modifications of inflammation in intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common cause of joint-related chronic disability in elderly individuals worldwide. It seriously impacts the quality of life and inflicts a substantial social and economic burden. The pathological mechanisms underlying IDD have not been fully revealed, leading to less satisfactory clinical treatment outcomes. More studies are urgently needed to reveal its precise pathological mechanisms. Numerous studies have revealed that inflammation is closely related to various pathological processes of IDD, including the continuous loss of extracellular matrix, cell apoptosis, and senescence, indicating the important role of inflammation in the pathological mechanism of IDD. Epigenetic modifications affect the functions and characteristics of genes mainly through DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA regulation, and other mechanisms, thus having a major effect on the survival state of the body. Recently, the role of epigenetic modifications in inflammation during IDD has been attracting research interest. In this review, we summarize the roles of different types of epigenetic modifications in inflammation during IDD in recent years, to improve our understanding of the etiology of IDD and to transform basic research strategy into a clinically effective treatment for joint-related chronic disability in elderly individuals.

Epigenetics in Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus: New Insights

A long-term complication of obesity is the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients with T2D have been described as having epigenetic modifications. Epigenetics is the post-transcriptional modification of DNA or associated factors containing genetic information. These environmentally-influenced modifications, maintained during cell division, cause stable changes in gene expression. Epigenetic modifications of T2D are DNA methylation, acetylation, ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, and phosphorylation at the lysine residue at the amino terminus of histones, affecting DNA, histones, and non-coding RNA. DNA methylation has been shown in pancreatic islets, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the liver. Furthermore, epigenetic changes have been observed in chronic complications of T2D, such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy. Recently, a new drug has been developed which acts on bromodomains and extraterminal (BET) domain proteins, which operate like epigenetic readers and communicate with chromatin to make DNA accessible for transcription by inhibiting them. This drug (apabetalone) is being studied to prevent major adverse cardiovascular events in people with T2D, low HDL cholesterol, chronic kidney failure, and recent coronary events. This review aims to describe the relationship between obesity, long-term complications such as T2D, and epigenetic modifications and their possible treatments.

Cross Talks between Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Epigenetics in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy, one of the most devastating complications of diabetes, is a multifactorial progressing disease with a very complex etiology. Although many metabolic, molecular, functional and structural changes have been identified in the retina and its vasculature, the exact molecular mechanism of its pathogenesis still remains elusive. Sustained high-circulating glucose increases oxidative stress in the retina and also activates the inflammatory cascade. Free radicals increase inflammatory mediators, and inflammation can increase production of free radicals, suggesting a positive loop between them. In addition, diabetes also facilitates many epigenetic modifications that can influence transcription of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. Several genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy are also influenced by epigenetic modifications. This review discusses cross-talks between oxidative stress, inflammation and epigenetics in diabetic retinopathy. Since epigenetic changes are influenced by external factors such as environment and lifestyle, and they can also be reversed, this opens up possibilities for new strategies to inhibit the development/progression of this sight-threatening disease.

Identification of differentially methylated regions in rare diseases from a single-patient perspective

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation (5-mC) is being widely recognized as an alternative in the detection of sequence variants in the diagnosis of some rare neurodevelopmental and imprinting disorders. Identification of alterations in DNA methylation plays an important role in the diagnosis and understanding of the etiology of those disorders. Canonical pipelines for the detection of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) usually rely on inter-group (e.g., case versus control) comparisons. However, these tools might perform suboptimally in the context of rare diseases and multilocus imprinting disturbances due to small cohort sizes and inter-patient heterogeneity. Therefore, there is a need to provide a simple but statistically robust pipeline for scientists and clinicians to perform differential methylation analyses at the single patient level as well as to evaluate how parameter fine-tuning may affect differentially methylated region detection.

RESULT

We implemented an improved statistical method to detect differentially methylated regions in correlated datasets based on the Z-score and empirical Brown aggregation methods from a single-patient perspective. To accurately assess the predictive power of our method, we generated semi-simulated data using a public control population of 521 samples and investigated how the size of the control population, methylation difference, and region size affect DMR detection. In addition, we validated the detection of methylation events in patients suffering from rare multi-locus imprinting disturbance and evaluated how this method could complement existing tools in the context of clinical diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we present a robust statistical method to perform differential methylation analysis at the single patient level and describe its optimal parameters to increase DMRs identification performance. Finally, we show its diagnostic utility when applied to rare disorders.

A nomogram model for the risk prediction of type 2 diabetes in healthy eastern China residents: a 14-year retrospective cohort study from 15,166 participants

BACKGROUND

Risk prediction models can help identify individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes. However, no such model has been applied to clinical practice in eastern China.

AIMS

This study aims to develop a simple model based on physical examination data that can identify high-risk groups for type 2 diabetes in eastern China for predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine.

METHODS

A 14-year retrospective cohort study of 15,166 nondiabetic patients (12-94 years; 37% females) undergoing annual physical examinations was conducted. Multivariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models were constructed for univariate analysis, factor selection, and predictive model building. Calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the calibration and prediction accuracy of the nomogram, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess its clinical validity.

RESULTS

The 14-year incidence of type 2 diabetes in this study was 4.1%. This study developed a nomogram that predicts the risk of type 2 diabetes. The calibration curve shows that the nomogram has good calibration ability, and in internal validation, the area under ROC curve (AUC) showed statistical accuracy (AUC = 0.865). Finally, DCA supports the clinical predictive value of this nomogram.

CONCLUSION

This nomogram can serve as a simple, economical, and widely scalable tool to predict individualized risk of type 2 diabetes in eastern China. Successful identification and intervention of high-risk individuals at an early stage can help to provide more effective treatment strategies from the perspectives of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine.

C/EBPα regulates the fate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head by targeting the PPARγ signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

The imbalance of osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is closely related to steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH). We aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanism of intramedullary fat accumulation and continuous osteonecrosis after glucocorticoid (GC) withdrawal in SANFH.

METHODS

An SANFH model was established in SD rats, which received an intermittent high GC dose for the first 4 weeks followed by an additional 4 weeks without GC. We explored the synergistic effects and mechanisms of C/EBPα and PPARγ on the differentiation of BMSCs by lentivirus-mediated gene knockdown and overexpression assays. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to identify epigenetic modification sites on PPARγ in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

In the SANFH model, intramedullary fat was significantly increased, and the transcription factors C/EBPα and PPARγ were upregulated simultaneously in the femoral head. In vitro, C/EBPα promoted adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting the PPARγ signalling pathway, while overexpression of C/EBPα significantly impaired osteogenic differentiation. Further studies demonstrated that histone H3K27 acetylation of PPARγ played an important role in the epigenetic mechanism underlying SANFH. C/EBPα upregulates the histone H3K27 acetylation level in the PPARγ promoter region by inhibiting HDAC1. Additionally, inhibiting the histone acetylation level of PPARγ effectively prevented adipogenic differentiation, thus slowing the progression of SANFH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism by which C/EBPα regulates PPARγ expression by acetylating histones and revealed the epigenetic phenomenon in SANFH for the first time.

Treatment and prevention of pathological mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal degeneration and in photoreceptor injury

Pathological deterioration of mitochondrial function is increasingly linked with multiple degenerative illnesses as a mediator of a wide range of neurologic and age-related chronic diseases, including those of genetic origin. Several of these diseases are rare, typically defined in the United States as an illness affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. population, or about one in 1600 individuals. Vision impairment due to mitochondrial dysfunction in the eye is a prominent feature evident in numerous primary mitochondrial diseases and is common to the pathophysiology of many of the familiar ophthalmic disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity - a collection of syndromes, diseases and disorders with significant unmet medical needs. Focusing on metabolic mitochondrial pathway mechanisms, including the possible roles of cuproptosis and ferroptosis in retinal mitochondrial dysfunction, we shed light on the potential of α-lipoyl-L-carnitine in treating eye diseases. α-Lipoyl-L-carnitine is a bioavailable mitochondria-targeting lipoic acid prodrug that has shown potential in protecting against retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell loss in ophthalmic indications.

Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Newly Synthesized Amides-Based TMP Moiety as Potential Anticancer Agents over HepG2 Cells

A novel series of amides based TMP moiety was designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative as well as enzyme inhibition activity. Compounds 6a and 6b showed remarkable cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells with IC50 values 0.65 and 0.92 μM, respectively compared with SAHA and CA-4 as reference compounds. In addition, compound 6a demonstrated good HDAC-tubulin dual inhibition activity as it showed better HDAC activity as well as anti-tubulin activity. Moreover, compound 6a exhibited G2/M phase arrest and pre-G1 apoptosis as demonstrated by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V assays. Further apoptosis studies demonstrated that compound 6a boosted the level of caspase 3/7. Caspase 3/7 activation and apoptosis induction were evidenced by decrease in mitochondrial permeability suggesting that activation of caspase 3/7 may occur via mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Inhibition Mechanism of Components Isolated from Morus alba Branches on Diabetes and Diabetic Complications via Experimental and Molecular Docking Analyses

Previously, we reported the anti-diabetic effect of Morus alba root bark and the compounds therein. In our continuous study of other parts of this plant, the ability of the branch of Morus alba to inhibit α-glucosidase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation was evaluated. Moreover, there are no previous studies that have performed enzyme kinetics and molecular docking analyses, along with assessments of peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) inhibitory activities. Since the Morus alba branch exhibited favorable inhibitory effects, repeated column chromatography was performed to obtain eight compounds, including four flavonoids (1, 3, 6, 8), one arylbenzofuran (2), one stilbene (5), one Diels–Alder-type adduct (7), and one sterol (4). Among them, compounds 1–3 and 5–7 were mixed-type inhibitors of α-glucosidase, sharing the same catalytic residues with acarbose and the same allosteric sites with (Z)-3-bytylidenephthalide. On the other hand, kuwanon C (1) and oxyresveratrol (5) interacted with residues of the allosteric site (α3 and α6 helices) of PTP1B, indicating their use as non-competitive inhibitors. Interestingly, kuwanon G (7) directly bound the catalytic site, or interrupted the binding between the substrate and the active site, as a mixed-type inhibitor. Moreover, most of the compounds exhibited greater activity against AGE formation and ONOO⁻ than positive controls. The IC₅₀ values required to inhibit ONOO⁻ using compounds 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were reported for the first time, and range from 1.08 to 12.92 μM. Based on the structure–activity relationship, the presence of hydroxyl, resorcinol, and prenyl moieties was important in the prevention of diabetes’ pathological mechanisms, and these findings have been further supported by molecular docking analysis. These computational and experimental results will be useful in the development of therapeutic candidates to prevent/treat diabetes and its complications.

Long Noncoding RNAs and Mitochondrial Homeostasis in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is one of the most devastating complications of diabetes, which a patient fears the most. Hyperglycemic environment results in many structural, functional, molecular and biochemical abnormalities in the retina, and overproduction of mitochondrial superoxide, induced by hyperglycemic milieu, is considered to play a central role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Expression of many genes associated with maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is also altered. Recent research has shown that several long noncoding RNAs, RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides but without any reading frames, are aberrantly expressed in diabetes, and altered expression of these long noncoding RNAs is now being implicated in the development of diabetes and its complications including retinopathy. This review focuses the role of long noncoding RNAs in the development of diabetic retinopathy, with a special emphasis on the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis.

Clinical and pharmacological parameters determine relapse during clopidogrel treatment of acute coronary syndrome

The therapeutic efficacy of clopidogrel as an anti-platelet drug varies among individuals, being the mainstream hypothesis that its bioavailability depends on the individual genetic background and/or interactions with other drugs. A total of 477 patients receiving double anti-aggregation therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel, after suffering a first event, were followed for 1 year to record relapse, as a surrogate end point to measure their therapeutic response, as defined by presenting with an acute coronary event (unstable angina, STEMI, or NSTEMI), stent thrombosis/restenosis or cardiac mortality. Anthropometric, clinical and pharmacological variables along with CYP2C19 genotypes were analyzed for their association with the disease relapse phenotype. Only 75 patients (15%) suffered a relapse, which occurred during the first six months of therapy, with a peak at 4.5 months. An initial univariate analysis identified that patients in the relapse group were significantly older (67.4 ± 11.0 vs 61.6 ± 12.3 years old) and presented with diffuse coronary disease, insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension. A poor clinical response to the platelet anti-aggregation regime also occurred more frequently among patients taking, along with aspirin and clopidogrel, acenocoumarol and Calcium Channel Blockers, while no association was found according to CYP2C19 genotypes. A retrospective multivariate analysis indicated that patients belonging to the non-responder phenotype to treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel were older, presented with diffuse coronary disease, a group largely overlapping with type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and were taking dihidropyrimidinic calcium channel blockers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.