Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe renal disorder characterized by podocyte damage and accumulation of extracellular matrix leading to further glomerulosclerosis, possibly via the activation of inflammatory signaling and the generation of oxidative stress. Melatonin has been considered a robust anti‑oxidant, and is able to attenuate DN in several animal models. In the present study, cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels were measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of Nephrin, B cell lymphoma‑2 (Bcl‑2)‑associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Janus kinase (JAK)2 and Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 in podocytes. Based on an in vitro podocyte injury model, the present study found that the application of melatonin significantly reduced AngII‑induced apoptosis and increased the proliferative rate of cells, as evidenced by decreased expression levels of apoptotic proteins, including Caspase‑3 and Bax, and a change in the ratio of Bax/Bcl‑2. Further investigation demonstrated that a reduction in oxidative stress and the recovery of mitochondrial function were involved in this protective effect. In addition, the Jak/STAT signaling pathway was inhibited, indicating that cytokine‑mediated inflammation was also targeted by melatonin. The present study demonstrated for the first time, to the best our knowledge, that melatonin exerted an anti-apoptotic effect in AngII-mediated podocyte injury, and indicates a possible mechanism to explain the protective effect of melatonin in DN.
SUMO4 Met55Val variation was shown to be related to type 2 diabetes susceptibility and the vascular complications in Asian people. To further examine the related mechanisms, this study was designed to evaluate the association of SUMO4 Met55Val polymorphism with insulin resistance and β cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in a Chinese population. Four hundred and twenty seven newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were selected for SUMO4 Met55Val polymorphism genotype analysis. All subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to estimate the insulin sensitivity and β cell function. Anthropometrics and a metabolic profile were used for phenotyping analysis. The results showed that the SUMO4 Met55Val polymorphism was associated with higher insulin resistance (P<0.001) and lower insulin sensitivity (P<0.001). Patients with GG genotype had higher levels of plasma glucose, insulin and C peptide. Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was closely correlated with body mass index (BMI) in patients with GG genotype in comparison to the counterparts with AG or AA genotype (r= -0.504 vs. r= -0.430 vs. r= -0.340). Multiple regression linear analysis showed that SUMO4 Met55Val polymorphism was an independent determinant for insulin sensitivity (P=0.001), which, along with triglyceride, BMI and sex, could account for 20.1% of the variation in ISI. The result remained the same after adjusting for BMI and sex. No association was found between SUMO4 Met55Val polymorphism and β cell function (all P>0.05). It was concluded that SUMO4 Met55Val variant was associated with increased insulin resistance in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
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