Association of Oxytocin with Glucose Intolerance and Inflammation Biomarkers in Metabolic Syndrome Patients with and without Prediabetes

Metabolic Syndrome in Non-diabetic Stroke Patients

Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses a range of diverse conditions, such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. MetS in non-diabetic elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke can worsen vascular damage and lead to worse outcomes, highlighting the significance of early detection. Objective The objective of this paper was to determine the frequency of MetS in non-diabetic elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke visiting a tertiary care hospital. Material and methods This study was carried out in the medical department of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan for a duration of six months from June 20, 2023, to December 19, 2023, following the adoption of the synopsis. All patients meeting the specified criteria and attending Dr. Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi were enrolled in the research. Informed consent was obtained after a thorough description of the methods, possible dangers, and advantages of the study. Each patient underwent the metabolic assessment according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Data collected was recorded in the provided proforma and electronically utilized for research endeavors. The analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Descriptive statistics were computed, and the chi-square/Fisher's exact test was utilized for stratified analysis, with a p-value < 0.05 deemed significant. Result The study included patients aged between 65 and 90 years, with a median age of 74. Among the total population assessed, 133 individuals were male (76.4%) and 41 were female (23.6%). MetS was identified in 116 patients, representing 66.7% of the study population. Conclusion It is to be concluded that MetS was highly prevalent in non-diabetic elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. This highlights a significant relationship between MetS and the occurrence of cerebrovascular accidents in this demographic. Further exploration and potential interventions targeting MetS in this population could be beneficial for improving health outcomes.

Serum Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Patterns in Severe Obesity: A Preliminary Investigation in Women

Background: Inflammation plays a central role in many chronic diseases that characterize modern society. Leptin/adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin ratios have been recognized as notable markers of dysfunctional adipose tissue and, consequently, an inflammatory state. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 41 adult volunteers (40.2 ± 8.3 years) diagnosed with severe obesity (BMI 46.99; 42.98-51.91 kg/m2). The adipokines were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the serum fatty acid analysis was conducted using chromatography. Results: The results unveiled a positive correlation between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and the 20:3n6 fatty acid (r = 0.52, p = 0.001), as well as a similar positive correlation between the adiponectin/leptin ratio and the 22:6n3 fatty acid (r = 0.74, p = 0.001). In the regression analysis, the 22:6n3 fatty acid predicted the adiponectin/leptin ratio (β = 0.76, p < 0.001), whereas C20:3 n-6 was a predictor for inflammatory markers (β = 4.84, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the 22:6n3 fatty acid was demonstrated to be a predictive factor for the adiponectin/leptin ratio and C20:3 n-6 was a predictor for inflammatory markers. This discovery, novel within this population, can help develop new intervention strategies aimed at controlling the inflammatory status in individuals classified as having severe obesity.

Quantitative analysis of Tr1 lymphocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is usually accompanied by a low-grade inflammatory phenomenon, which participates in the pathogenesis of different complications of this condition. The inflammatory response is under the regulation of different mechanisms, including T regulatory (Treg) lymphocytes. However, the possible role of type 1 T regulatory (Tr1) cells in T2DM has not been explored so far.

AIM

To carry out a quantitative analysis of Tr1 lymphocytes and other immune cell subsets in patients with T2DM and correlate these results with clinical findings and treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients with T2DM and twenty-three healthy controls were included in the study. Biochemical and anthropometric variables were evaluated, and Tr1 lymphocytes (CD4+CD49+LAG-3+IL-10+) and other cell subsets (Th17, Th22 and Foxp3 + Treg cells) were analyzed in peripheral blood samples by multiparametric flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Significant increased levels of Tr1 cells were detected in patients with severe and mild disease, compared to healthy controls. In addition, CD4+IL-10+ lymphocytes were also increased in patients with T2DM. In contrast, similar levels of Foxp3+ Treg cells, Th17 and Th22 lymphocytes were observed in patients and controls. Likewise, no significant associations were detected between Tr1 cell levels and different clinical and laboratory parameters. However, those patients receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RA) showed similar levels of Tr1 cells than healthy controls, and significant lower numbers than untreated patients.

CONCLUSION

We observed an increase in Tr1 and CD4+IL10+ lymphocyte levels in T2DM. Moreover, GLP1-RA treatment was significantly associated with normalization of the Tr1 levels. This highlights another potential immune dysfunction in patients with T2DM, which could participate in the pathogenesis of this condition.

The Role of Oxytocin in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age, representing the primary cause of anovulatory infertility. The nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in cognitive, emotional, and reproductive functions in human beings. Oxytocin receptors are expressed in several body parts, including the ovaries. Despite this, the possible role played by oxytocin in symptoms of PCOS is not clear. The present systematic review aimed at understanding the presence of possible oxytocin level alterations in PCOS, the connection between alterations of OT levels and the symptoms of PCOS, and the effect of oxytocin administration in PCOS. After a systematic search in the principal databases, eight studies, five human and three animal, were included. Four human studies and one animal study highlighted the role played by oxytocin in fertility issues related to PCOS. Three human and two animal studies investigated the role of body weight and OT levels. Studies that analyzed oxytocin basal levels in women agreed that PCOS is associated with a reduction in the serum level of oxytocin. Two human studies and one animal study agreed about lower levels of oxytocin, confirming a possible implication of the dysfunction of OT in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

The association between interleukin family and diabetes mellitus and its complications: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and summarize the association between interleukin (IL) concentrations and diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications.

METHODS

Meta-analyses and eligible individual studies of observational studies investigating the associations between IL and DM and its complications were included. The random-effects model was used to estimate the summary effect, and the heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Q-statistic and the I2 metric; The Egger's regression and the χ2 test were used to test for small study effects and excess significance bias.

RESULTS

This overview identified 34 meta-analyses that investigated the association between IL concentrations and DM and its complications. Meta-analyses of prospective studies indicated that elevated circulating IL-6 and IL-1β had predictive value for the incident of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) as well as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and the overall Hazard Ratio (HR) of T2DM was 1.28 (95 % CI: 1.17, 1.40; P＜0.001) per 1 log pg/ml increment in IL-6 levels, however, there was no correlation between circulating IL-10 levels and DM. Meanwhile, the increased level of IL-6 was significantly associated several diabetic complications (Diabetic kidney disease[DKD], diabetic peripheral neuropathy[DPN], and cognitive impairment[CI]), and for the diabetic retinopathy (DR), the levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-10 in the aqueous humor and vitreous humor, but not the blood were significantly correlated with it.

CONCLUSION

Multiple ILs, such as the IL-6 and IL-1β, are definitively linked to DM and its complications, and they may be new targets for the diagnosis and treatment, but stronger evidence needs to be confirmed by prospective studies with larger sample sizes and longer observation periods.

The changes that occur in the immune system during immune activation in pre-diabetic patients of all ethnicities, from the age of 25- to 45-years: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pre-diabetes is an intermediate state between normoglycaemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This condition has been shown to be asymptomatic thus making it hard to investigate the changes that occur in the body during this state. Recent findings stipulate that in this state, there are changes that are often associated with T2D. These include changes in concentration of immune cells and inflammatory markers. This systematic review will provide a synthesis of the data that is available reporting on the changes in the concentration of immune cells and selected markers during prediabetes. It will also give clarity of the variation of the complications of the condition among the various demographic groups.

METHODS

The assembly of this systematic review was through strict adherance to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. This systematic review has been registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number "CRD42020184828" dated 05-07-2020). In this systematic review, published clinical studies articles that involve observational reports, whether it is case-control, cross-sectional, and comparative cross-sectional will be used. Cohort study designs that involve normal/non-diabetic and pre-diabetes reports will be used in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical MeSH headings to search on MEDLINE, COCHRANE library, EMBASE, and ICTRP and African Journal Online will be a tool used to achieve the required report. Reviewers (NCM, AMS, and AK) will screen all the results and select the studies that will be eligible by guidance according to eligibility criteria. Downs and Black Checklist will be used to check the risk of bias and then for meta-analysis Review Manager v5.4 Forrest plot will be used. Additionally, the Forrest plot will also be used for sensitivity analysis. The strength of evidence will then be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Only 4 reports were eligible and risk of bias checked. The results indicated the outcomes even though there were only few reports.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This systematic review will give an indication on the available data on this research area and lay a foundation for future studies.

Changes of Th17 cells, regulatory T cells, Treg/Th17, IL-17 and IL-10 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of Helper T cells 17 (Th17 cells), Regulatory T cells (Treg cells), Treg/Th17, Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Four electronic resource databases were searched from their inception to 1 August 2021. Case-control studies about changes of Th17 cells, Treg cells, Treg/Th17, IL-17 and IL-10 in patients with T2DM were retrieved. We performed this meta-analysis via RevMan V.5.3 and Stata14.

RESULTS

20 studies with 1242 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the controls, the patients with T2DM had significantly increased levels of percentage of Th17 cells (SMD, 1.74; 95% CI, 0.47-3.01; p < 0.001), IL-17 (SMD, 2.17; 95% CI, 0.06-4.28; p < 0.001), IL-10 (SMD, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.81-1.59; p = 0.003), but decreased levels of percentage of Treg cells (SMD, -1.17; 95% CI, -2.22 to -0.13; p < 0.001) and Treg/Th17 ratio (SMD, -4.43; 95% CI, -7.07 to -1.78; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs (SMD, -2.36; 95% CI, -3.19 to -1.52; p = 0.003) in patients was notably lower than controls. While not significant changes were found in the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Tregs (SMD, 0.03; 95% CI, -0.34-0.40; p = 0.63) between patients and controls. For plasma or serum IL-10, a higher plasma IL-10 level (SMD,1.37; 95% CI, 0.92-1.82; p = 0.01) was observed in T2DM. While serum IL-10 (SMD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.35-1.12; p = 0.79) had no obvious difference between patients and controls. For ELISA or flow cytometry, IL-10 (SMD, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.71-1.70; p = 0.001) was higher in T2DM patients by using detection method of ELISA. Yet IL-10 using flow cytometry and subgroup analysis of IL-17 had no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptive immune system indeed plays an essential role in the process of T2DM. Imbalance between Th17 and Treg triggers pro-inflammatory environment in patients with T2DM.

Ameliorative Effect of Oxytocin on FBN1 and PEPCK Gene Expression, and Behavioral Patterns in Rats' Obesity-Induced Diabetes

Amelioration of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance associated with obesity is a cardinal target for therapeutics. Therefore, we investigated the relation of Fibrilln-1 (FBN1) mRNA expression and hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate caboxykinase (PEPCK) enzyme to the ameliorative impact of oxytocin on obesity-induced diabetes, suggesting glycogenolysis markers in diabetic models. Four groups of forty male Wistar rats were formed (n = 10): a control group fed basal diet and intraperitoneal injections of saline; an oxytocin-injected group; a diet-induced obese group fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet and injected with saline; a diet-induced obese group injected with oxytocin. Depending on blood glucose levels, obese groups were further sub-grouped into prediabetic, and diabetic rats, with 5 rats each, at the ninth and the 16th week of the feeding period, respectively. FBN1 expression and PEPCK activity were determined using the qPCR technique and some biochemical parameters (glycemic, lipid profile, kidney, and liver functions) were determined using kits. Obese groups showed an elevation of brain FBN1 expression, high serum lipid profile, high glucose level, and a deleterious impact on liver and kidney functions. Obese groups showed the stimulator effect of the PEPCK enzyme and time-dependent pathological changes in renal and hepatic tissues. The motor activities were negatively correlated with FBN1 gene expression in prediabetic and diabetic rats. In addition to our previous review of the crucial role of asprosin, here we showed that oxytocin could ameliorate obesity-induced diabetes and decrease FBN1 gene expression centrally to block appetite. Oxytocin caused decreases in PEPCK enzyme activity as well as glycogenolysis in the liver. Therefore, oxytocin has a potential effect on FBN1 expression and PEPCK enzyme activity in the obesity-induced diabetic-rat model.

The Variation and Correlation of Serum Adiponectin, Nesfatin-1, IL-6, and TNF-α Levels in Prediabetes

BACKGROUND

The variation and correlation among adiponectin, nesfatin-1, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which may be involved in the development of the decline of health into prediabetes and diabetes, have not been elucidated. This study aims to investigate the roles of these cytokines in this process.

METHODS

Seventy-two type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, 75 prediabetics, and 72 healthy individuals were enrolled in our case control study. Serum adiponectin, nesfatin-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 were tested with appropriate kits, and primary data were analyzed with correct methods.

RESULTS

Serum levels of each cytokine in patients with prediabetes were between T2DM and the healthy, and significant differences were found among them. TNF-α and nesfatin-1 levels in T2DM were obviously different compared to prediabetes or the healthy; IL-6 and adiponectin levels in the healthy group were significantly changed in contrast to prediabetes or T2DM. Correlation analysis found that in prediabetics, adiponectin was positively correlated with TNF-α (R = 0.2939, P = 0.0105) and IL-6 (R = 0.3918, P = 0.0005), and their relationship was greatly strengthened in prediabetes accompanied by insulin resistance (TNF-α: R = 0.7732, P < 0.0001, IL-6: R = 0.6663, P = 0.0005). We also demonstrated that declined adiponectin (OR = 6.238, P = 0.019) and nesfatin-1 (OR = 2.812, P = 0.01) and elevated TNF-α (OR = 5.541, P = 0.001) were risk factors for prediabetes toward diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This research proved significant variations of adiponectin, nesfatin-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the healthy, prediabetics, and T2DM, suggesting a slow and gradual change during the progression from a healthy condition toward diabetes via prediabetes.

Targeting the Oxytocinergic System: A Possible Pharmacological Strategy for the Treatment of Inflammation Occurring in Different Chronic Diseases

Unresolved inflammation represents a central feature of different human pathologies including neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. The epidemiologic relevance of such disorders justifies the increasing interest in further understanding the mechanisms underpinning the inflammatory process occurring in such chronic diseases to provide potential novel pharmacological approaches. The most common and effective therapies for controlling inflammation are glucocorticoids; however, a variety of other molecules have been demonstrated to have an anti-inflammatory potential, including neuropeptides. In recent years, the oxytocinergic system has seen an explosion of scientific studies, demonstrating its potential to contribute to a variety of physiological processes including inflammation. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to understand the role of oxytocin in the modulation of inflammation occurring in different chronic diseases. The criterion we used to select the diseases was based on the emerging literature showing a putative involvement of the oxytocinergic system in inflammatory processes in a variety of pathologies including neurological, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and obesity. The evidence reviewed here supports a beneficial role of oxytocin in the control of both peripheral and central inflammatory response happening in the aforementioned pathologies. Although future studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanistic details underlying such regulation, this review supports the idea that the modulation of the endogenous oxytocinergic system might represent a new potential pharmacological approach for the treatment of inflammation.

The Effects of Oxytocin on Appetite Regulation, Food Intake and Metabolism in Humans

The hypothalamic peptide oxytocin and its receptor are involved in a range of physiological processes, including parturition, lactation, cell growth, wound healing, and social behavior. More recently, increasing evidence has established the effects of oxytocin on food intake, energy expenditure, and peripheral metabolism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the central oxytocinergic system in which oxytocin acts to shape eating behavior and metabolism. Next, we discuss the peripheral beneficial effects oxytocin exerts on key metabolic organs, including suppression of visceral adipose tissue inflammation, skeletal muscle regeneration, and bone tissue mineralization. A brief summary of oxytocin actions learned from animal models is presented, showing that weight loss induced by chronic oxytocin treatment is related not only to its anorexigenic effects, but also to the resulting increase in energy expenditure and lipolysis. Following an in-depth discussion on the technical challenges related to endogenous oxytocin measurements in humans, we synthesize data related to the association between endogenous oxytocin levels, weight status, metabolic syndrome, and bone health. We then review clinical trials showing that in humans, acute oxytocin administration reduces food intake, attenuates fMRI activation of food motivation brain areas, and increases activation of self-control brain regions. Further strengthening the role of oxytocin in appetite regulation, we review conditions of hypothalamic insult and certain genetic pathologies associated with oxytocin depletion that present with hyperphagia, extreme weight gain, and poor metabolic profile. Intranasal oxytocin is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials to learn whether oxytocin-based therapeutics can be used to treat obesity and its associated sequela. At the end of this review, we address the fundamental challenges that remain in translating this line of research to clinical care.

Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, China

Background

Diet and inflammation have both been studied in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and T2DM.

Methods

Subjects were adults enrolled in the baseline study of the Xinjiang multi-ethnic natural population cohort and health follow-up study from January to May 2019. The study involved 5,105 subjects (58.7% men) between 35 and 74 years of age. The DII score was calculated from a data obtained via a food frequency questionnaire consisting of 127 food items.

Results

Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of DII in relation to T2DM. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared to subjects in the 1st DII quintile, subjects in the 5th quintile (i.e., with the most pro-inflammatory diet) had higher odds of T2DM (OR = 3.27, 95%CI:2.38,4.50; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with a higher risk of T2DM in this population of Chinese adults.

Comparative evaluation of inflammatory parameters and substitute insulin resistance indices in elderly women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of inflammatory parameters and substitute insulin resistance indices on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) development in elderly women, as well as to compare anthropometric measures and metabolic parameters according to the presence of type 2 DM and HbA1c levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty elderly women (67.9 ± 6.0 years) were submitted to anthropometric analysis, determination of inflammatory and metabolic parameters. They also underwent indices of lipid accumulation product (LAP), high density triglyceride/lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL), triglyceride glucose index (TyG), as well as TyG by body mass index (BMI) ratio (TyG-BMI) assessment.

RESULTS

Body mass index, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-2, blood glucose, TG, LAP, TG/HDL, TyG and TyG-BMI were significantly higher in elderly women with DM compared to non-diabetic women. LAP ≥ 55.4 (OR = 2.29; P = .027); TyG ≥ 8.8 (OR = 3.52; P < .001) and TyG-BMI ≥ 264.8 (OR = 3.54; P = .001) were identified as risk factors for DM.

CONCLUSION

High pro-inflammatory parameters, low levels of anti-inflammatory markers and higher levels of substitute insulin resistance indices are risk predictors for DM development in elderly women in primary health care.

Frequency and Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a syndrome of truncal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidemia. It is well known that MetS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and adverse events. Each of its components is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but data on the association with ischemic stroke are scarce. At the international level, a significant body of research has been conducted on this issue, but the situation is very different in Pakistan. Very little data are present on the subject matter. This study is an endeavor in this direction, generating data, that can be used in early identification and developing treatment services for patients with ischemic stroke having MetS.

Aims

To determine the frequency of MetS in ischemic stroke patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods

This six-month observational and cross-sectional study was conducted at Medical Unit I, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. Detailed history, physical examination, and biochemical measurements were noted. The presence of MetS was defined in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.

Results

A total of 224 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were inducted into this study. The mean age of presentation was 61.04 ± 14.72 years, and more than two-thirds of the patients were ≥60 years of age. A total of 150 (66.96%) patients with ischemic stroke also had MetS. The male-to-female ratio in this group was 2:1. The most common variables constituting the MetS were truncal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The median MetS score was 3.

Conclusions

MetS is highly prevalent in patients presenting with ischemic stroke irrespective of age or gender. The three most deranged and common components of MetS in these patients are truncal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Significant decrease of von Willebrand factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by providing supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 to an elderly population with a low selenium status

Purpose

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are conditions which fuel atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease. We have previously reported reduced cardiovascular (CV) mortality following supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 to 443 elderly individuals with low selenium status (mean 67 μg/L) for 4 years. Here, we wanted to evaluate a possible association between the supplementation and the plasma concentrations of the von Willebrand factor (vWf), and the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), as they, besides other functions, are also strongly associated with endothelial function.

Methods

In this sub-study, 308 individuals (active substance: 157, placebo: 151) were included. Blood samples were drawn after 6 and 36 months and vWf and PAI-1 were determined in plasma by ELISA. Changes in concentrations of the biomarkers were evaluated by the use of T tests, repeated measures of variance, and ANCOVA analyses.

Results

The active treatment group presented a lower level of vWf after 36 months compared with the placebo group (1.08 U/mL vs. 5.10 U/mL; p = 0.0007). The results were validated through the repeated measures of variance evaluation. The PAI-1 levels showed an equally significant decrease in the active group (26.2 ng/mL vs. 49.2 ng/mL; p = 0.0002) and were also validated through repeated measures of variance evaluation.

Conclusion

In this sub-study on elderly receiving selenium and coenzyme Q10, or placebo we found significantly lower levels of vWf and PAI-1 in the active treatment group as compared to the placebo group. We interpret this as a better endothelial function because of the intervention, which accords with a previous finding of reduced CV mortality.

Intranasal oxytocin fails to acutely improve glucose metabolism in obese men

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin not only modulates psychosocial function, but also contributes to metabolic regulation. We have recently shown that intranasal oxytocin acutely improves beta-cell responsivity and glucose tolerance in normal-weight men. In the present experiment, we investigated the acute glucoregulatory impact of oxytocin in obese men with impaired insulin sensitivity. Fifteen obese healthy men with an average body mass index of 35 kg/m² and an average body fat content of 33% received a single intranasal dose (24 IU) of oxytocin before undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test. Results were analysed according to the oral minimal model and compared with our findings in normal-weight participants. In contrast to the results in normal-weight subjects, oxytocin did not blunt postprandial glucose and insulin excursions in obese men, and moreover failed to enhance beta-cell responsivity and glucose tolerance. These results indicate that pronounced obesity may be associated with a certain degree of resistance to the glucoregulatory impact of exogenous oxytocin, and underlines the need for further investigations into the potential of oxytocin to improve glucose homeostasis in the clinical context.

Antidiabetic Potential of Green Seaweed Enteromorpha prolifera Flavonoids Regulating Insulin Signaling Pathway and Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic activity of water-ethanol extract of green macroalgae Enteromorpha prolifera (EPW) and its flavonoid-rich fraction less than 3 kDa (EPW3) in type 2 diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin and a high-sucrose/high-fat diet. The major active compounds were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantitative gene expression analysis of the insulin signaling pathway was performed. The effects of EPW3 on gut microflora in diabetic mice were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed EPW3 treatment decreased the fasting blood glucose, improved oral glucose tolerance, and protected against liver and kidney injury with reduced inflammation in diabetic mice. The active principle of EPW3 revealed hypoglycemic effect as indicated by activation of the IRS1/PI3K/AKT and inhibition of the JNK1/2 insulin pathway in liver. Furthermore, the treatment significantly enriched the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Alisties, which were positive correlation of metabolic phenotypes. These findings indicated that EPW3 possessed great therapeutic potential as adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Proportional correlates of cystatin-C with pentraxin-3, visceral adiposity index and atherogenicity index of plasma but not blood indices in metabolic syndrome patients with and without prediabetes

Background Pentraxin-3 (PXT-3) and cystatin-C (Cys-C) are robustly related with central obesity and insulin resistance in prediabetes/metabolic syndrome (preDM-MetS). Materials and methods This cross-sectional study aimed to compare and correlate PXT-3 and Cys-C plasma levels in 29 normoglycemic MetS patients, 30 newly diagnosed drug naive preDM-MetS cases vs. 29 normoglycemic lean controls. Results Unlike PXT-3; Cys-C level was significantly higher in normoglycemic MetS (but not preDM-MetS) vs. healthy controls. Except for fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c; no further intergroup discrepancy could be identified between the MetS arms. Adiposity indices [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist/height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) but not conicity index (CI)], atherogenicity index of plasma (AIP) (but not non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (nonHDL)-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio or total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio) or any of blood indices were substantially higher in both MetS (normoglycemic and preDM) groups vs. controls. Low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C/HDL-C ratio, visceral adiposity index (VAI) and WHR were exceptionally greater in MetS-preDM vs. controls. Marked proportional PTX-3-Cys-C correlation was noted in 59 MetS participants (normoglycemic and preDM). PTX-3 (but not Cys-C) correlated proportionally with each of neutrophils, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio but inversely with the lymphocyte count. Substantially, Cys-C (but not PXT-3) positively associated with both VAI and AIP but inversely with HDL-C. Neither biomarker in MetS pool had relations with red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV%), BMI, WC, HC, CI, WHR, WHtR, BAI, LAP, non-HDL-C, ratios of non-HDL-C/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C or TC/HDL-C. Conclusion PXT-3 and Cys-C can be surrogate prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers or putative MetS therapy targets.