Aims/hypothesis Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) plays a major role in the visual cycle and is essential to the maintenance of photoreceptors. The aim of this study was to determine whether a decrease in IRBP production exists in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Methods Vitreous samples from diabetic patients with proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR, NPDR), and from non-diabetic patients with macular hole (control group) were selected for IRBP quantitative assessment by proteomic analysis (fluorescence-based difference gel electrophoresis) and western blot. Human post mortem eyes (n=16) from diabetic donors without clinically detectable retinopathy and from non-diabetic donors (n=16) were used to determine IRBP (also known as RBP3) mRNA levels (RT-PCR) and protein content (western blot and confocal microscopy). Retinal neurodegeneration was assessed by measuring glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) and the apoptotic rate. Y79 human retinoblastoma cells were used to test the effects of glucose, TNF-α and IL-1β on IRBP expression and IRBP levels. Results Intravitreous IRBP concentration was significantly lower in PDR

ED among T2DM are frequent. Due to their deleterious effect on different metabolic and psychological outcomes, they should be diagnosed promptly, especially BED.

No abstract

Myo-inositol hexaphosphate (phytate; IP6) is a natural compound that is abundant in cereals, legumes, and nuts and it has the ability to chelate metal cations. The binding of IP6 to transition metals suggests that it could be used for the treatment of metal-catalyzed protein glycation, which appears to trigger diabetes-related diseases. Our in vitro studies showed that IP6 reduced the formation of Fe3+-catalyzed advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This led us to perform a randomized cross-over trial to investigate the impact of the daily consumption IP6 on protein glycation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; n = 33). Thus, we measured AGEs, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), several vascular risk factors, and urinary IP6 at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. Patients who consumed IP6 supplements for 3 months had lower levels of circulating AGEs and HbA1c than those who did not consume IP6. This is the first report to show that consumption of IP6 inhibits protein glycation in patients with T2DM. Considering that AGEs contribute to microvascular and macrovascular complications in T2DM, our data indicates that dietary supplementation with IP6 should be considered as a therapy to prevent the formation of AGEs and therefore, the development of diabetes-related diseases in patients with T2DM.

To determine the frequency and clinical parameters, of clinically significant depressive symptoms among a type 2 diabetes (T2DM) sample from a Mediterranean area without an established diagnosis of depressive disorder (DD). 320 subjects with T2DM were recruited randomly from Primary-Care settings and the Endocrine Department from a tertiary center in Mallorca (Spain). 91 healthy individuals matched by age, gender and BMI were used as controls. All participating patients graded by the presence of DD by using the "Beck Depression Inventory" (BDI), considering pathological a cut-off score equal or greater than 16. 27.2% T2DM subjects had significant symptoms of DD compared with 12.1% in the control group (p<0.01). BDI score was higher among T2DM when compared with controls (12±9.6 vs. 7.4±5, p<00001). The proportion of females (68% vs. 37%, p<0.0001), subjects without an active job (68% vs. 45%, p=0.01) and singles (38% vs. 18%, p=0.007) was greater among T2DM with a BDI≥16. Subjects with criteria for DD had a higher BMI (31.99±5.96 vs. 30.53±5.62, p=0.03). Fasting plasma glucose was higher among T2DM with a BDI≥16 (162±70 vs. 147±45 mg/dl, p=0.02) as well as HbA1c levels (7.9±1.8% vs. 7.4±1.4%, p=0.01), triglycerides (203±183 vs. 161±103 mg/dl; p=0.03) and LDL-cholesterol (112±31 vs. 104±35 mg/dl; p=0.03). Gender, marital status, BMI and triglycerides were independently related to the presence of DD after a logistic regression model. Relevant depressive symptoms are more prevalent among Mediterranean T2DM subjects than in general population. Main clinical correlators of significant depressive symptoms are gender, marital status and BMI.