Serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) may reflect the activity of the advanced glycation end product (AGE)-receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) axis, which has been proposed as a potential mechanism linking hyperglycaemia to vascular complications in diabetes. We have investigated whether serum AGEs, sRAGE and pentosidine levels were increased and correlated with microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We included 30 healthy control subjects, and 200 diabetic patients were divided into two subgroups: 100 patients with diabetic retinopathy and 100 patients with diabetic nephropathy. AGEs, sRAGE and pentosidine were measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum AGEs, sRAGE and pentosidine levels were significantly increased in diabetic patients with retinopathy and in diabetic patients with nephropathy compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). Serum AGEs, sRAGE and pentosidine levels are positively associated with microvascular complications in type 2 DM. Multiple regression analysis reveals serum pentosidine as an independent determinant of the presence of diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.004) and the presence of hypertension (p = 0.018) and hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.036). Pentosidine levels may be a biomarker for microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients.

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Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity associated with oxidative stress and immune abnormalities is continuously increasing. Antioxidant supplementations might counteract potential damage caused by ROS to cellular tissues. Objective: To determine the role of vitamins on immune improvement during obesity, we investigated in vitro effects of vitamins C, E, and NADH on mitogen-stimulated proliferation, Th1-and Th2-type cytokine production, and oxidant/antioxidant status of lymphocytes isolated from obese patients. Methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated using a density gradient of Histopaque. They were in vitro cultured and stimulated by Con A in the presence or absence of vitamins. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and interleukin-2, interleukin-4 and interferon-γ (INFγ) secretions. Cell oxidant/antioxidant balance was studied by assaying glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein levels, catalase activity and micronucli frequency. Results: Obesity is associated with enhanced oxidative stress response. Indeed, vitamin C, E and NADH improved significantly lymphocyte proliferation and diminished cellular oxidative stress. Conclusion: Treatments of lymphocytes with vitamins had beneficial effects on lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines secretions and redox status, generating an anti-inflammatory profile and should be considered in therapeutic approaches for normalizing immune cell function in obesity.

Background: Dietary fatty acids have important homeostatic functions in regulating the immune response and may exert beneficial effects on immune alterations during obesity. Objective: To assess the in vitro effects of oil fatty acids, different oils (olive, linseed, Nigel, sunflower) were tested on T-lymphocyte proliferation, Th1-and Th2-type cytokine production, and intracellular oxidant/antioxidant status in obese patients. Methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated using Histopaque and were in vitro cultured and stimulated by Con A in the presence or absence of the oils. Cell proliferation, interleukin-2, interleukin-4 and interferon-γ (INFγ) secretions and intracellular oxidative status (glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein levels, catalase activity and micronuclei frequency) were investigated. Results: Abnormalities in lymphocyte function and intracellular oxidative stress were observed in obesity. Linseed oil induced a reduction in T-lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production while Nigel oil increased them in both obese and control groups. In addition, Nigel oil enhanced IFNγ and IL-4 secretion. Olive and sunflower oils had no effect on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion in both groups. Linseed and Nigel oils induced an increase in T cell GSH concentrations and catalase activity with a concomitant decrease in MDA, carbonyl protein contents and micronuclei frequency especially in obese patients. Conclusion: Linseed and Nigel oils had beneficial effects on lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines secretions and redox status, while olive and sunflower oils had no effects on immune cell function in obesity.