sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-Selectin Levels in Type 1 Diabetes

High fat-induced the upregulation of LOX-1 in RF/6A cells under high glucose condition

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of ox-LDL on the expression of lectin-like receptor of ox-LDL (LOX-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in RF/6A cells under high-glucose condition.

METHODS

RF/6A cells were cultured in normal or high-glucose medium for two days. Furthermore, RF/6A cells were cultured in medium with high glucose and ox-LDL or normal medium with ox-LDL. The concentrations of ox-LDL were determined by initial screening based on migration and immunofluorescence. The expressions of LOX-1 and ICAM-1 were determined by western blot.

RESULTS

The maximal effect of glucose on RF/6A cells was observed with the concentration of 25 mmol/l for 48 h. The LOX-1 expression was upregulated under high glucose condition than normal glucose (p < 0.05). There were significant LOX-1 overexpression and blocked ICAM-1 activation in RF/6A cells under high-glucose condition (p < 0.05). In the normal medium with ox-LDL groups, LOX-1 expression was both increased than in the normal medium group (p < 0.05). In the high glucose medium with ox-LDL groups, the expression levels of LOX-1 and ICAM-1 were increased than the high glucose medium group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A certain concentration of ox-LDL blocks high-glucose-induced retinal vascular endothelial injury by inhibiting the upregulation of ICAM-1 due to a high-glucose environment. Dyslipidemia may play an important role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, emphasizing the importance of active regulation of blood lipids in diabetic retinopathy therapy.

Soluble P-Selectin as an Indicator of Cutaneous Microangiopathy in Uncomplicated Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between cutaneous microcirculation reactivity, retinal circulation, macrocirculation function, and specific adhesion molecules in young patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes. Fifty-five patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), aged 8 to 18 years, were divided into subgroups based on skin microcirculation reactivity. The cutaneous microcirculatory vessels were considered reactive if post-test PORH coverage increased compared to pre-test coverage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was conducted to detect early retinopathic changes. Macrocirculation was described using pulsatility indices (PIs) determined for common carotid (CCA) and peripheral arteries of the upper and lower limbs. The ankle-brachial index was also assessed. There were no significant differences in retinal circulation and macrocirculation between the studied subgroups. However, there were significant differences between the various subgroups concerning the age at onset of diabetes and the sP-selectin levels but not ICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. The sP-selectin differences remained true after adjusting for age at onset. The sP-selectin level was significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with non-reactive cutaneous microcirculation. The results of our study indicate that sP-selectin may be considered as an immunological marker for cutaneous abnormalities, which serve as an early indicator of endothelial dysfunction in young patients with type 1 diabetes in the absence of classical complication.

An overview of diabetes research achievements during a quarter of a century in Diabetes Research Center

Background

Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) is one of the biggest research institutes in Iran that was established to develop research strategies for managing endocrine and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of diabetes related research activities and achievements in the EMRI since its foundation.

Method

A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to find out diabetes-related research studies performed in the EMRI. After data extraction, articles were categorized based on their document types, levels of evidence, diabetes types, and subject areas and were presented in various charts.

Result

After removing duplications and screening, 228 remained documents were categorized. The majority of diabetes investigations performed in the Diabetes Research Center (DRC) was on type 2 diabetes (T2D) (37%). Based on document types, most of these publications were original articles. Moreover, clinical studies constituted the greatest amount of evidence in the literature. According to the subject areas, most of the articles were on basic sciences and diabetes-related associated factors, followed by studies related to the management and prevention of diabetes.

Conclusions

As one of the most comprehensive research institute, the EMRI has developed its national and international research activities to improve diabetes management and cure through developing new treatment strategies, improving translational research, and applying new emerging technologies such as regenerative medicine.

Aberrant Gut Microbiome Contributes to Barrier Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Local Immune Responses in IgA Nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

Numerous research works have shown that serum Gal-deficient (Gd) IgA1 levels are increased in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients and these levels are a dangerous risk factor for IgAN. A relationship between the gut microbiota and IgAN has been reported. Whether the gut microbiota participates in the pathogenesis of IgAN was still controversial.

METHODS

We evaluated changes in the gut flora and the levels of Gd-IgA1 in IgAN patients and healthy controls (HCs). We investigated the Gd-IgA1 levels in both blood and urine specimens. C57BL/6 mice were given a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail to deplete the endogenous gut flora. We established a model of IgAN in pseudosterile mice and investigated the expression of the markers of intestinal permeability, inflammation, and local immune responses.

RESULTS

Studies have shown that the levels of certain gut flora differ between IgAN patients and HCs. Moreover, elevated Gd-IgA1 levels were found in both the serum and urine. Interestingly, Coprococcus, Dorea, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, and Lactococcus, selected from 10 candidate biomarkers to predict risk in IgAN patients according to random forest analysis, were inversely associated with urinary Gd-IgA1 levels. Notably, the urine level of Gd-IgA1 could best distinguish IgAN patients from HCs. Additionally, the degree of kidney damage in pseudosterile mice with IgAN was more severe than that in mice with IgAN. Furthermore, the markers of intestinal permeability were significantly elevated in pseudosterile IgAN mice. Moreover, the inflammation responses (TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in intestinal and renal tissues; TNF-α and IL-6 in serum) and local immune responses (BAFF and APRIL in intestinal tissue) were upregulated in pseudosterile IgAN mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The urine Gd-IgA1 level may be as a biomarker for the early screening of potential IgAN, and gut microbiota dysbiosis was demonstrated in IgAN, which might involve the dysfunction of the mucosal barrier, inflammation, and local immune responses.

Differentiated serum levels of Krüppel-like factors 2 and 4, sP-selectin, and sE-selectin in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine serum levels of human Krüppel-like factors (KLFs), sP-selectin and sE-selectin and establish correlations between them in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

Twenty-six GDM patients aged between 22 and 35 years and 25 healthy pregnant women aged between 23 and 34 years were recruited. Maternal serum levels of KLF2, KLF4, and their target proteins sP-selectin, sE-selectin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at 24-28 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

Women with GDM had significantly lower serum KLF2 than controls. However, the differences in levels of serum KLF4 between the control and GDM groups were not significant. Additionally, elevated serum sP-selectin and sE-selectin were found in the GDM group and not in the healthy group. Importantly, we also found that serum KLF2 levels were negatively correlated with indicators of glucose metabolism, including insulin, fasting blood glucose, 1-h oral glucose tolerance test, and glycated hemoglobin.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that (i) serum KLF2 might be indicative of GDM risk, and (ii) sP-selectin and sE-selectin were increased in GDM patients.

Biochemical and clinical markers of endothelial dysfunction do not outweigh traditional risk factors for the presence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate whether soluble vascular cytoadhesive molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intracellular cytoadhesive molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and endothelial function as assessed by EndoPat outweighed traditional risk factors for the presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 12 years completed a clinical-epidemiological questionnaire. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained (lipid profile, glycemic control, and C-reactive protein levels). Vascular reactivity was assessed via peripheral arterial tonometry performed by supplying the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) through the EndoPAT device. sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels were measured using multiplex assays.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 187 patients (51.3% female), aged 32 ± 13 years with a disease duration of 14 (6-15) years and mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 9.1% ± 2.1%. After adjustments were made, age, HbA1c, arterial blood pressure, and use of drugs that could interfere with endothelial function were found to be associated with DR. No association was noted with sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels and RHI.

CONCLUSIONS

In our sample, sVCAM-1, sICAM and EndoPAT did not outweigh the traditional DR risk factors, such as age, high HbA1c, arterial blood pressure, and use of drugs that could interfere with endothelial function and are significantly associated with DR. Further prospective studies should evaluate if markers of endothelial dysfunction could predict diabetes-related micro and macrovascular complications in T1D.

Mechanistic Pathogenesis of Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetic Nephropathy and Retinopathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are microvascular complications of diabetes. Microvascular endothelial cells are thought to be the major targets of hyperglycemic injury. In diabetic microvasculature, the intracellular hyperglycemia causes damages to the vascular endothelium, via multiple pathophysiological process consist of inflammation, endothelial cell crosstalk with podocytes/pericytes and exosomes. In addition, DN and DR diseases development are involved in several critical regulators including the cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and the Notch signal. The present review attempts to gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis complexities underlying the endothelial dysfunction in diabetes diabetic and retinopathy, contributing to the development of new mechanistic therapeutic strategies against diabetes-induced microvascular endothelial dysfunction.

Anti-inflammatory properties of pigment epithelium-derived factor

Inflammation is part of the complex biological response to harmful stimuli, such as cell damage, pathogens, or irritants. An excessive inflammatory response can lead to a variety of diseases. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an endogenous glycoprotein that belongs to the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors and has multiple biological activities. Accumulating evidence suggests that PEDF participates in various inflammatory-related diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and retinal diseases. However, the mechanism is still incompletely understood. In this paper, we review the anti-inflammatory properties of PEDF and discuss the underlying mechanisms. PEDF can exert its anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the expression of inflammatory factors, promoting the synthesis of anti-inflammatory factors, inhibiting the activation of proinflammatory pathways and activating anti-inflammatory pathways. Examining the function of PEDF in inflammation addresses the need for further investigation and subsequent target-specific strategies for inflammatory disorders.

Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in DIED rats via PKC signalling pathway-related molecules

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leeches (pinyin name Shui Zhi; Latin scientific name Hirudo; Hirudinea; Hirudinidae) and centipedes (pinyin name Wu Gong; Latin scientific name Scolopendridae; Chilopoda; Scolopendridae) are traditional Chinese medicines, and they belong to the family entomology. A combination of leech and centipede is used as an effective medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in traditional Chinese medicine, and "leech-centipede" medicine has been used in many prescriptions to treat diabetic vascular disease, including diabetic erectile dysfunction (DIED). However, its specific mechanism remains unclear and requires in-depth study.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of "leech-centipede" medicine to improve erectile dysfunction-associated diabetes by detecting PKC pathway-related molecules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The active ingredients of "leech-centipede" medicine were identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fifty male SPF rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce the DM model. Eight weeks later, the DMED model was validated with apomorphine. The DIED rats were divided into five groups-T,P,DD,DZ, and DG-and were separately treated with tadalafil, pathway inhibitor LY333531 and low-, medium-, and high-dose "leech-centipede" medicine for 8 weeks. After treatment, the blood glucose level was measured, erectile function with apomorphine was assessed, the LOX-1, sE-selectin, sICAM-1, SOD, and MDA in serum was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry was performed. After the collection of penile tissue, the related protein and mRNA expression was assessed by Western blotting and PCR, and the tissue and ultrastructure were analysed by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

After treatment, the erectile function of rats was significantly improved in the T,P,DD,DZ, and DG groups compared with that in the model group. Thus, "leech-centipede" medicine can significantly reduce the levels of LOX-1, sE-selectin, sICAM-1, EMPs and CD62P to protect vascular endothelial function and anti-platelet activation, improving DIED rat erectile function. Additionally, "leech-centipede" medicine can increase SOD expression and decrease MDA expression, reducing the possibility of oxidative stress injury in DIED rats and improving the antioxidant capacity. Moreover, "leech-centipede" therapy can dramatically reduce the protein and mRNA expression of DAG, PKCβ, NF-κB, and ICAM-1, improve vascular endothelial injury in DIED rats and inhibit abnormal platelet activation.

CONCLUSION

"leech-centipede" medicine can improve erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the expression of PKC pathway-related molecules in DIED rats and protects endothelial function and anti-platelet activation.

Proinflammatory mediators and their associations with medication and comorbid traits in children and adults with ADHD

Peripheral immune activation can influence neurodevelopment and is increased in autism, but is less explored in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Patients with ADHD often display comorbid autism traits and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Plasma protein levels of two acute phase reactants, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), and two endothelial adhesion molecules, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), which share important roles in inflammation, were analyzed in 154 patients with ADHD and 61 healthy controls. Their associations with ADHD diagnosis, severity, medication and comorbid autistic symptoms, emotion dysregulation and GI symptoms were explored. The ADHD patients had increased levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 compared to healthy controls (p = 8.6e-05, p = 6.9e-07, respectively). In children with ADHD, the sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were higher among those with ADHD medication than among children (p = 0.0037, p = 0.0053, respectively) and adults (p = 3.5e-09, p = 1.9e-09, respectively) without ADHD medication. Among the adult ADHD patients, higher sICAM-1 levels were associated with increased comorbid autistic symptoms in the domains attention to detail and imagination (p = 0.0081, p = 0.00028, respectively), and higher CRP levels were associated with more GI symptoms (p = 0.014). sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were highly correlated with each other, and so were CRP and SAA levels. To conclude, vascular inflammatory activity may be overrepresented in ADHD, with elevated sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels and this may in children be a consequence of current ADHD medication, and in adults relate to increased comorbid autistic symptoms. Replication is warranted.

Increased levels of inflammatory factors are associated with severity of polyneuropathy in type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a severe common long-term complication of type 1 diabetes caused by impaired sensory-motor nerve function. As chronic low-grade inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of DSPN, we investigated the circulating levels of inflammatory markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes with and without DSPN. Furthermore, we determined to what extent these factors correlated with different peripheral sensory nerve functions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PATIENTS

The study included 103 individuals with type 1 diabetes with (n = 50) and without DSPN (n = 53) as well as a cohort of healthy controls (n = 21).

MEASUREMENTS

Circulating levels of various inflammatory markers (cytokines, chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules) were determined in serum samples by Luminex multiplexing technology. Peripheral sensory nerve testing, for example vibration, tactile and thermal perception, was assessed by standardized procedures.

RESULTS

The cytokines IL-1α, IL-4, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A and TNF-α; the chemokine MCP-1; and the adhesion molecule E-selectin were significantly increased in individuals with type 1 diabetes with DSPN compared to those without DSPN (P < .001). These observations were independent of age, sex, BMI, disease duration and blood pressure. Additionally, higher serum concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were associated with higher vibration and tactile perception thresholds, but not with heat tolerance threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with type 1 diabetes and concomitant DSPN display higher serum levels of several inflammatory markers. These findings support that systemic low-grade inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of DSPN.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Cardiovascular Risk Onset in Children and Adolescents

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising among children and adolescents worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. We review the impact of diabetes on establishing, during childhood and adolescence, the premises for cardiovascular diseases later in life. Interestingly, it seems that hyperglycemia is not the only factor that establishes an increased cardiovascular risk in adolescence. Other factors have been recognized to play a role in triggering the onset of latent cardiovascular diseases in the pediatric population. Among these cardiovascular risk factors, some are modifiable: glucose variability, hypoglycemia, obesity, insulin resistance, waist circumference, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking alcohol, microalbuminuria and smoking. Others are unmodifiable, such as diabetes duration and family history. Among the etiological factors, subclinical endothelial dysfunction represents one of the earliest key players of atherosclerosis and it can be detected during early ages in patients with diabetes. A better assessment of cardiovascular risk in pediatric population still represents a challenge for clinicians, and thus further efforts are required to properly identify and treat pediatric patients who may suffer from cardiovascular disease later in early adulthood.

Coenzyme Q10 administration has no effect on sICAM-1 and metabolic parameters of pediatrics with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a key role in the development and progression of microvascular and macrovascular complications in pediatrics with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutraceutical with a known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of CoQ10 on ED and various metabolic parameters. Methods: This prospective randomized open-label pilot study was conducted on 49 T1DM pediatric patients. Seven healthy non-diabetic pediatric subjects who didn't receive treatment were included as a control group. Eligible patients were randomly allocated into either group I (n = 25); received 100 mg of CoQ10 in addition to standard treatment or group II (n = 24); received standard treatment only. The levels of; soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, serum creatinine and liver function tests were assessed for both groups at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Results: At baseline, compared to an age-matched healthy control group sICAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in group II diabetic patients (276.5 (231.6-320.66) vs 221.8 (177.9-267.1 ng/ml), p = 0.042. After 3 months of treatment no significant difference was observed in sICAM-1, HbA1c, FBG, lipid profile, serum creatinine and liver function tests between the two study groups. A positive correlation was found between sICAM-1 and HbA1c throughout the study (r = 0.308, p = 0.0054). Conclusion: Administration of CoQ10 for 3 months in T1DM pediatric patients was well tolerated but had no favorable effect on ED or metabolic parameters.

Immune cell trafficking to the islets during type 1 diabetes

Inhibition of immune cell trafficking to the pancreatic islets during type 1 diabetes (T1D) has therapeutic potential, since targeting of T cell and B cell trafficking has been clinically effective in other autoimmune diseases. Trafficking to the islets is characterized by redundancy in adhesion molecule and chemokine usage, which has not enabled effective targeting to date. Additionally, cognate antigen is not consistently required for T cell entry into the islets throughout the progression of disease. However, myeloid cells are required to enable T cell and B cell entry into the islets, and may serve as a convergence point in the pathways controlling this process. In this review we describe current knowledge of the factors that mediate immune cell trafficking to pancreatic islets during T1D progression.

Quercetin Inhibits the Production of IL-1β-Induced Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines in ARPE-19 Cells via the MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid derived from vegetables and fruits, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in various diseases. Our previous study revealed that quercetin could suppress the expression of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to achieve anti-inflammatory effects in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. The present study explored whether quercetin can inhibit the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in ARPE-19 cells. Prior to stimulation by IL-1β, ARPE-19 cells were pretreated with quercetin at various concentrations (2.5–20 µM). The results showed that quercetin could dose-dependently decrease the mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). It also attenuated the adherence of the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 to IL-1β-stimulated ARPE-19 cells. We also demonstrated that quercetin inhibited signaling pathways related to the inflammatory process, including phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), inhibitor of nuclear factor κ-B kinase (IKK)α/β, c-Jun, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, and blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 into the nucleus. Furthermore, MAPK inhibitors including an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor (U0126), a p38 inhibitor (SB202190) and a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) decreased the expression of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), but not ICAM-1. U0126 and SB202190 could inhibit the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1, but SP600125 could not. An NF-κB inhibitor (Bay 11-7082) also reduced the expression of ICAM-1, sICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Taken together, these results provide evidence that quercetin protects ARPE-19 cells from the IL-1β-stimulated increase in ICAM-1, sICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 production by blocking the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways to ameliorate the inflammatory response.