Therapeutic Potential of Luteolin for Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications has been showing an upward trend in the past few decades, posing an increased economic burden to society and a serious threat to human life and health. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies for DM and its complications. Luteolin is a kind of polyphenol flavonoid with widely existence in some natural resources, as a safe dietary supplement, it has been widely studied and reported in the treatment of DM and its complications. This review demonstrates the therapeutic potential of luteolin in DM and its complications, and elucidates the action mode of luteolin at the molecular level. It is characterized by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. In detail, luteolin can not only improve endothelial function, insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, but also inhibit the activities of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and α-glucosidase. However, due to the low water solubility and oral bioavailability of luteolin, its application in the medical field is limited. Therefore, great importance should be attached to the joint application of luteolin with current advanced science and technology. And more high-quality human clinical studies are needed to clarify the effects of luteolin on DM patients.

Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) as a novel biomarker in the era of cardiometabolic medicine

In the period of increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, healthcare professionals are facing significant challenges. Therefore, an accurate global assessment of insulin resistance is of utmost importance. Current medical research is focused on identifying an easily accessible and reproducible gold-standard surrogate marker for insulin resistance. Ideally, such a marker would enable healthcare providers to predict the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) is a promising marker for preventive cardiology and cardiometabolic medicine. This narrative review article aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the credibility of TyG as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance among patients at different stages across the cardiometabolic continuum. This assessment fully complies with evidence-based medicine and offers valuable insight into the clinical utility of TyG.

[Endothelial dysfunction as a pathogenetic factor of sensorineural hearing loss]

Chronic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common disease that leads to disability of the population. Despite the many reports devoted to SNHL, the question of the pathogenesis of the disease is still open. Many researchers consider the development of SNHL as a manifestation of microangiopathy. The mechanism of development of microangiopathy in SNHL is multifactorial, but most researchers agree that endothelial dysfunction (ED) triggers a complex of pathological changes in the vessels of the inner ear.

OBJECTIVE

Review of the results of scientific research in recent years on the problem of etiopathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss from the perspective of endothelial dysfunction in the formation of auditory disorders.

Analysis of Mechanisms Underlying the Development of Endothelial Dysfunction and Functional Disorders in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus and Their Pathogenetic Correction

On the model of alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats, the development of oxidative stress and violation of the NO-producing function of the endothelium and internal organs was established. Structural changes in the vascular endothelium due to increased level of atherogenic LDL preventing access of L-arginine to endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction, which is paralleled by oxidative modification of L-arginine and the formation of inhibitors of eNOS expression (asymmetric dimethylarginine, L-NAME). These findings are indicative of reduced eNOS expression in experimental diabetes mellitus. Administration of L-arginine and its combination with L-carnitine caused an increase in the production NO metabolites and eNOS expression levels by 2.13 and 3.8 times, respectively. In parallel, improvement in the electrolyte excretory function of the kidneys, an increase in the Na,K-ATPase activity in organ homogenates, and a decrease in organ-specific enzymes in blood plasma were observed, which indicates the effectiveness of the correction of the identified violations. A way to eliminate metabolic and functional disorders with combinations of L-arginine and L-carnitine is pathogenetically substantiated. This methodological approach can be recommended for the prevention of microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The role of oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by long-term hyperglycaemia, which leads to microangiopathy and macroangiopathy and ultimately increases the mortality of diabetic patients. Endothelial dysfunction, which has been recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy, is characterized by a reduction in NO bioavailability. Oxidative stress, which is the main pathogenic factor in diabetes, is one of the major triggers of endothelial dysfunction through the reduction in NO. In this review, we summarize the four sources of ROS in the diabetic vasculature and the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the pathogenic factors hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, adipokines and insulin resistance induce oxidative stress in endothelial cells in the context of diabetes. In addition, we discuss oxidative stress-targeted interventions, including hypoglycaemic drugs, antioxidants and lifestyle interventions, and their effects on diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction. In summary, our review provides comprehensive insight into the roles of oxidative stress in diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction.

[The effect of antioxidant therapy on some pathogenetic factors of primary open-angle glaucoma]

In patients with glaucoma, one of the main initiating mechanisms that triggers the chain of events is disruption of the universal mechanism for regulating vascular tone due to endothelial dysfunction (ED). The main manifestation of ED is an imbalance of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator endothelial mediators, which inconsistency triggers the mechanisms of adaptive distress leading to the progression of morphological destruction, dyslipidemia, acceleration of atherogenesis, development of hemodynamic and hydrodynamic disorders. The drug Mexidol has a wide range of pharmacological activity and affects the main pathogenetic links of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

PURPOSE

The study analyzes the vascular remodulation, antioxidant and antihypoxic effects of the drug Mexidol in patients with PAOG.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 78 patients with POAG of the early (n=43) and advanced stage (n=35) with average age of 67.8±1.5 years. The main study group consisted of 47 patients who received Mexidol in addition to local hypotensive treatment; 31 patients comprised the control group. In the comparison groups, the degree of ED was determined by the results of reactive hyperemia test, patients' blood plasma was analyzed for levels of stable nitric oxide metabolite (nitrite NO2-) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). General assessment of oxidative stress was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography. Functional activity of the retina was studied using an electroretinograph and static computer perimetry performed according to the standard technique.

RESULTS

The following changes are observed in patients of the main group using Mexidol: the index of oscillatory potentials significantly increases, peak latency decreases, perimeter indices show positive trends, vascular endothelial function improves according to reactive hyperemia test, concentration of vasoconstrictor mediator ET-1 in blood plasma decreases and of nitrite (NO2-) increases moderately, the coefficient of bioeffective vasotonic activity decreases, the level of glutathione peroxidase increases (p<0.05 compared to the baseline value), the level of malonyldialdehyde decreases, lipid metabolism improves (reduction in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, decrease in the Atherogenic Index compared to the initial level).

CONCLUSIONS

The drug Mexidol proved to be an effective endothelial protector, a powerful antioxidant and antihypoxant, contributed to deceleration of atherogenesis in patients with POAG.

Insulin resistance and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Pathogenetic and therapeutic crossroads

Insulin resistance, which is a fundamental pathogenetic factor of prediabetes, is closely associated with abdominal obesity on the one hand and the development of cardiovascular diseases, heart failure (HF), on the other. The pathogenetic role of insulin resistance is multifaceted and consists in the acceleration of atherosclerosis, the formation of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, including through mechanisms that do not depend on blood pressure, as well as the development of its diastolic dysfunction. The latter is the starting point for starting HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Compared with patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, the presence of HFpEF determines a higher frequency of hospitalizations not due to decompensation of heart failure, but due to concomitant diseases, such as destabilization of the course of arterial hypertension, decompensation of type 2 diabetes mellitus, curation of which, in general, has a greater impact in terms of improving prognosis. Thus, in patients with prediabetes and HFpEF, the correction of insulin resistance as the underlying cause and trigger of cardiometabolic disorders can potentially improve not only insulin-glucose homeostasis, but also the parameters of myocardial diastolic function. This literature review is devoted to the accumulated experience of using metformin as a «strategic» antidiabetic drug in HFpEF and considering potential new points of its application as a protector of the cardiovascular system.

Recent advances in molecular biology of metabolic syndrome pathophysiology: endothelial dysfunction as a potential therapeutic target

Current advances in molecular pathobiology of endotheliocytes dysfunctions are promising in finding the pathogenetic links to the emergence of insulin resistance syndrome. Physiologically, human organism homeostasis is strictly controlled to maintain metabolic processes at the acquainted level. Many factors are involved in maintaining these physiological processes in the organism and any deviation is undoubtedly accompanied by specific pathologies related to the affected process. Fortunately, the body's defense system can solve and compensate for the impaired function through its multi-level defense mechanisms. The endothelium is essential in maintaining this homeostasis through its ability to modulate the metabolic processes of the organism. Pathological activity or impairment of physiological endothelium function seems directly correlated to the emergence of metabolic syndrome. The most accepted hypothesis is that endothelium distribution is due to endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response development, which includes inhibition of long non-coding RNAs expression, cytokines disbalance, Apelin dysregulation, glycocalyx degradation, and specific microparticles. Clinically, the enhancement or restoration of normal endothelial cells can be a target for novel therapeutic strategies since the distribution of its physiological activity impairs homeostasis and results in the progression of metabolic syndrome, and induction of its physiological activity can ameliorate insulin resistance syndrome. Novel insights on the molecular mechanisms of endothelial cell dysfunction are concisely represented in this paper to enhance the present therapeutic tactics and advance the research forward to find new therapeutic targets.

Icariside II induces rapid phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase via multiple signaling pathways

Icariside II, as a favonoid compound derived from epimedium, has been proved to involed in a variety of biological and pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, and anti-cancer but its mechanism is unclear, especially in terms of its effect on post-transcriptional modification of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Phosphorylation of eNOS plays an important role in the synthesis of nitric oxide in endothelial cells, which is closely related to erectile dysfunction, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases. Our study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of Icariside II on the rapid phosphorylation of eNOS. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with Icariside II in the presence or absence of multiple inhibitors (1 µM), including LY294002 (PI3K-inhibitor), MK-2206 (AKT-inhibitor), Bisindolylmaleimide X (AMPK-inhibitor), H-89 (CaMKII-inhibitor), KN-62 (PKA-inhibitor), Dorsomorphin (PKC-inhibitor). The proliferation of HUVECs was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The release of nitric oxide (NO) within HUVECs was detected via fluorescence probe (DAF-FM). Western blot was used to examine the effect of Icariside II on the expression of eNOS, phosphorylation of eNOS, and common signaling pathways proteins. In this study, Icariside II was found to promote the cell proliferation and rapid NO release in HUVECs. The phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser1177 was significantly increased after Icariside II stimulation and reached a peak at 10 min (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the phosphorylation of eNOS-Thr495 was significantly decreased after 45 min of stimulation (p < 0.05). Following the intervention with multiple inhibitors, it was found that MK-2206 (AKT inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor), KN-62 (AMPK inhibitor), and Bisindolylmaleimide X (PKC inhibitor) could significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser1177 caused by Icariside II (p < 0.05), while MK-2206, LY294002, and Bisindolylmaleimide X reversed the alleviated phosphorylation of eNOS-Thr495. We concluded that Icariside can regulate rapid phosphorylation of eNOS- Ser1177 and eNOS-Thr495 via multiple signaling pathways, resulting in the up-regulation of eNOS and the increased release of NO.

Characterization of blood biomarkers in prospective follow-up of patients with cardiovascular pathology in combination with type 2 diabetes mellitus after COVID-19 associated pneumonia

The study of the characteristics and dynamics of laboratory biomarkers in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent COVID-19-associated pneumonia is of great clinical importance for preventing the risk of adverse events. IN the study we used data from 65 patients in the present work. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included patients with CVD: arterial hypertension (AH) in combination with coronary artery disease (CAD) without DM2 (n=45), group 2 included patients with CVD and DM2 (n=20). Patients were examined at baseline in the infectious disease hospital and 3 months after discharge. During laboratory examination of blood biosamples we evaluated parameters of general blood test; biochemical and immunologicai parameters; elastic properties of the vascular wall. The analyzed leukocyte parameters and their index coefficients - increase in NLR ratio (neutrophils/lymphocytes) and decrease in LYM/CRP ratio (lymphocytes/CRP) were more significantly changed in DM2 group. Patients in both groups had a significant excess of baseline max CRP concentrations with decrease in parameters after 3 months, but with persistent excess values in group 2. Three months after discharge patients with DM2 had levels of hs-CRP, IL-1β and TNFa and NT-proBNP, that exceeded both the reference values and those in group 1, which reflected the presence of more pronounced vascular inflammatory potential for possible adverse events in this group of patients in post-COVID period. The method of multiple regression showed that DM2 is an independent risk factor for increased stiffness of the vascular wall. Thus, dynamic control of laboratory parameters has prognostic value in assessing the nature of the course of COVID-19 associated pneumonia in patients with CVD and DM2 developing an algorithm for personalized monitoring of patients in the post-COVID period with the aim of timely prevention of unwanted vascular complications.

2022 Prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in Of the Russian Federation. National guidelines

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Diabetic Nephropathy - possibilities of early laboratory diagnostics and course prediction (review of literature)

The medical and social significance of diabetes mellitus is determined by a progressive increase in the incidence of the disease, as well as the development of disabling and reducing the quality of life of macro- and microvascular complications in patients of working age, in particular, with the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which develops in one third of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. DN is the third leading cause of death after diseases of the cardiovascular system and oncological pathologies. In this regard, the identification of DN at the early stages is an important task both from the standpoint of prevention and a more favorable prognosis of the course of diabetes. This review presents data on the possibilities of early diagnosis of DN using blood and urine biomarkers, as well as information on their diagnostic and prognostic value. The analysis of the interpretation of the indicator of microalbuminuria in type 1 and 2 diabetes was carried out. In addition, the literature data of recent years on the informative value of determining markers of podocyte damage, on the role of oxidative stress products, immune-inflammatory factors, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the process of the onset and development of DN are presented. The possibility of their practical use for the diagnosis of DN in clinical practice is discussed. The literature search for this review was carried out using the databases of the RSCI, CyberLeninka, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, PubMed for the period from 2011 to 2021. using the following keywords: diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, markers of diabetic nephropathy; kidney damage, early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Effect of liraglutide on microcirculation in rat model with absolute insulin deficiency

INTRODUCTION

The investigations of angiotropic effects of liraglutide are an issue of significant scientific and practical interest. The successful application of liraglutide has been shown in glycemic control in patients with the type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), but the effect of liraglutide in patients with type 1 DM has not been completely studied yet in clinical practice. Therefore, the present study is aimed to investigate the effect of liraglutide which is agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors, on microcirculation in white outbred rats with the alloxan-induced diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was performed with 70 white outbred rats, divided into 4 groups: 1) control group (intact animals (Control)); 2) comparison group (diabetes mellitus (DM)) - animals with the alloxan-induced diabetes; 3) experimental group no. 1 (liraglutide low dose (LLD)) - animals with the alloxan-induced diabetes, which were injected by liraglutide at dosage of 0.2 mg/kg of animal weight per a day; 4) experimental group no. 2 (liraglutide high dose (LHD)) - animals with the alloxan-induced diabetes, which were injected by liraglutide at dosage of 0.4 mg/kg of animal weight per a day. The carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the microcirculation of posterior paw skin, as well as the concentration of catecholamines and markers of endothelial alteration in blood were estimated at the 42nd day of the experiment in the comparison and experimental groups.

RESULTS

It was found that the correction of carbohydrate metabolism by liraglutide is succeeded by the normalization of skin perfusion of posterior paw skin of the experimental animals. Recovery of microcirculation is associated with a decrease in vascular tone and stimulation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, caused by simultaneous decrease of catecholamines, endothelin-1 and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations in blood serum. At the same time, the administration of liraglutide on the background of insulin-deficiency results in decrease of endothelial cell alteration markers concentration in blood, such as sE-selectin, syndecan-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

CONCLUSION

Administration of liraglutide leads to the normalization of the carbohydrate metabolism simultaneously with the correction of microcirculation in rats with the absolute insulin deficiency. The demonstrated recovery of microcirculation by liraglutide, which represents an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1, provides new prospects for its approval as a potential drug for pathogenetic correction of microcirculatory disorders in patients with the type 1 DM.