The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear but hyperglycemia is an established risk factor. Endothelial dysfunction and changes in Ca2+ signaling have been shown to precede the onset of DR. We recently demonstrated that high extracellular glucose activates the Ca2+/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor NFAT in cerebral arteries and aorta, promoting the expression of inflammatory markers. Here we show, using confocal immunofluorescence, that NFAT is expressed in the endothelium of retinal microvessels and is readily activated by high glucose. This was inhibited by the NFAT blocker A-285222 as well as by the ectonucleotidase apyrase, suggesting a mechanism involving the release of extracellular nucleotides. Acute hyperglycemia induced by an IP-GTT (intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test) resulted in increased NFATc3 nuclear accumulation and NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity in retinal vessels of NFAT-luciferase reporter mice. In both Akita (Ins2+/−) and streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice, NFAT transcriptional activity was elevated in retinal vessels. In vivo inhibition of NFAT with A-285222 decreased the expression of OPN and ICAM-1 mRNA in retinal vessels, prevented a diabetes driven downregulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in retina, and abrogated the increased vascular permeability observed in diabetic mice. Results identify NFAT signaling as a putative target for treatment of microvascular complications in diabetes.
The main aim of this study is to assess the effect of three different types of exercises on Irisin hormone level, body fat, visceral fat, BMI and lipid profile in sports practitioners. The experimental approach was used to conduct the study. A 66 healthy male sport practitioners were participated in this study and divided into three experimental groups, each group consist of 22 subjects, the first group performed aerobic exercises (AE), the second group performed anaerobic exercises (AnE), and the third group, performed resistance exercises (RE). Before entering their experimental program, the three groups conducted the beep test for determining the VO2max for each participant, and then the blood samples were taken from each participant. Thereafter, the three groups entered the training program for eight weeks 3 times/week. After ending the training programs, the three groups conducted the beep test again for determining the VO2max, and the blood samples were taken from the participants. All statistical data analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. For checking the differences between the pre-test for all groups one-way ANOVA with Post Hok-Tukey was conducted, and the same for the post-test variables. Comparisons between pre-test and post-test within one type of exercise were performed by the paired sample t-test. The three types of exercise for the sport practitioners after participating in intervention for 8 weeks’ program were effective. Interestingly, the sport exercises were found to have a great effect on increasing Irisin serum level and decrease the bod fat, visceral fat and BMI following the three type of exercise. It was found that resistance exercises are more effective to increase the level of Irisin hormone than aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the correlations between by-products of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and some physical parameters such as abdominal fat, energy levels, and shock wave pulses. Methods A total of 40 patients (20 men and 20 women), aged 37.18 ± 10.64 years, with renal or ureteral stones were recruited. All patients were treated with ESWL, and their abdominal fat was measured using an Omron body fat monitor and the body mass index (BMI). Parameters such as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ketones, and protein in urine were measured before and after ESWL using a Bio Doctor Analyzer. The wave characteristics of the lithotripsy procedure and the wave pulses were determined. Results The mean levels of urinary MDA and ketones showed statistically significant increases in post-ESWL compared with pre-ESWL values. The results showed significant elevations in MDA and ketones in both male and female patients. In addition, there was a significant correlation between MDA/ketones and energy levels and between ketones and BMI in female patients. The analysis also revealed that the shock wave pulse had an insignificant impact on the by-product parameters. Conclusion An energy level of ≤4 J is recommended for overweight and obese patients undergoing ESWL. In addition, measurement of the post-ESWL MDA urinary level should be performed as a routine test, especially in obese male patients.
Background: Altered immune response and improper neutrophils chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and adhesion might be the principal causative factor for increased susceptibility to periodontal pathogens and oral complications in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship between C-reactive protein and salivary IgA with periodontal disease and the severity of dental caries with the glycemic control state of patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 91 subjects, 61 patients with diabetes mellitus, and 30 apparently healthy subjects (as a control group). The patient groups were regularly attended Duhok Diabetes Center, Duhok City, Kurdistan Region (Iraq) for diabetes management. The healthy controls were recruited from the staff and sub staff of Azadi Teaching Hospital. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) were measured. The whole saliva collection was performed by an unstimulated method for five minutes in a graduated test tube to recognize the salivary secretion rate and then stored at -20 0 C for IgA estimation. Periodontal Index was used to determine the periodontal disease status. Each tooth was scored according to the condition of the surrounding tissues. Results: Significantly higher Hs-CRP (9.2 vs 3.3 µg/ml), fasting plasma glucose (215.4 vs 98.9 mg/dl) and HbA1c (8.5 vs 4.9 %), (P < 0.001 for all parameters, together with lower hemoglobin (13.6 vs 14.5 gm/dl, P=0.03) levels were found in diabetic patients compared to control group, A significantly higher mean salivary IgA level in diabetic patients compared to controls (312.4 vs 177.3 mg/dl, P<0.001), associated with a significant high periodontal index (1.68 vs 0.81, P = 0.003). Conclusion: Elevated serum Hs-CRP and salivary IgA in patients with diabetes mellitus as inflammatory response sequences raise inflammation potential in the periodontium. Further, the results confirm that periodontal index was associated with poor glycemic control.
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