Arginase activity and magnesium levels in blood of children with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Under physiological conditions insulin controls the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by a disturbance in the intermediary metabolism of glucose and glucose-induced insulin release. Arginase (L-arginine amidinohydrolase, EC 3.5.3.1) modulates nitric oxide synthase activity by regulating intracellular L-arginine availability. In diabetes mellitus, a decrease in nitric oxide bioavailability is a central mechanism for endothelial dysfunction. The aim of our study was to assess arginase activity in the blood of children with diabetes mellitus. Blood arginase activity, serum glucose (14.155 +/- 4.197 mmol/L; p < .001) and blood HbA1c (11.222 +/- 3.186 %; p < .001), were significantly higher in diabetic children than in healthy controls, whereas the magnesium (Mg2+) level, a cofactor of many enzymes, was significantly lower (0.681 +/- 0.104 micromol; p < .001). In diabetic children, arginase activity, hyperglycemia (r = 0.143), and the HbA1, level (r = 0.381) showed a positive correlation between but a negative correlation between Mg2+ and arginase activity (r= -0.206). The higher arginase activity and the lower Mg2+' levels in diabetic children could be a consequence of reduced insulin action and increased protein catabolic processes in these pathophysiological conditions. The inverse directions of arginase activity and serum Mg2+ levels are in agreement with this concept.

Status of serum magnesium in Egyptian children with type 1 diabetes and its correlation to glycemic control and lipid profile

“…These results are in concordance with Jiancheng et al [20] on 25 children with type I diabetes from Northeast area of China that revealed a lower serum magnesium level in type I diabetic children compared to control subjects. Lin et al, [21] Salmonowicz et al, [22] and Bjelakovic et al [23] showed also similar results in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents compared to healthy controls. Indeed Fort and Lifshitz [24] and Tuvemo et al [25] have found a lower serum total magnesium in type 1 diabetic children especially those with poor glycemic control when compared to their healthy age- and sex-matched control Also, our results are concordant with Seyoum et al [26] that found a higher percentage of hypomagnesemia (65%) among adults with type I and type II diabetes compared to control group and that is considered higher than that the percentage in our study.…”

Trace Elements, Magnesium, and the Efficacy of Antioxidant Systems in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and in Their Siblings

“…In the current study, the patients with T1DM had significantly lower levels of Mg compared with the controls, but metabolic control and the duration of the disease were not found to affect Mg levels. Significantly lower levels of Mg and significantly higher blood arginase activity in children with T1DM were demonstrated by Bjelakovic et al [23] This could be a consequence of reduced insulin action and increased protein catabolic processes in these pathophysiologic conditions. GuerreroRomero et al [24] and Sales et al [19] demonstrated that in patients with T2DM hypomagnesemia, there was a negative correlation with low levels of HDL-c and the concentrations of albumin in transferrin, regardless of glycemia.…”

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP2 Mediates Chronic Insulin-Induced Endothelial Inflammation

“…30,[38][39][40] It should also be noted that p38 MAPK and cAMP 24 pathways regulate arginase expression, and both of these are in turn regulated by SHP2. Intriguingly, SHP2 appeared to positively regulate its own gene expression in an insulin receptor-β and p38 MAPK-dependent manner.…”