Evaluating the Feasibility of Pro-Neurotensin and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as Possible Indicators for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications.

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased vitamin D. In contrast, high pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) levels are linked with an increased risk of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the validity of pro-NT and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 levels as predictors for T2DM complications; (2) Methods: One hundred T2DM, and one hundred healthy volunteers participated in this case-control study. Their Pro-NT and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were evaluated using the ELISA technique; (3) Results: Pro-NT and 25 (OH) vitamin D3 have significant validity and accuracy in T2DM prediction, 84.5%, and 90.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). At a value of <29.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 showed 88% sensitivity and 93% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of >124 Pmol/L, Pro-NT showed 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of 16.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 had 78.4% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity in predicting T2DM complications. At a value of >158 pmol/L, Pro-NT predicted T2DM complications with 67.6% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity; (4) Conclusions: 25 (OH) Vit D3 and Pro-NT could identify T2DM patients and predict T2DM complications. More extensive research is required to adequately validate this novel perspective with a large population study.

Effect of curcumin on TNFR2 and TRAF2 in unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is implicated in the pathophysiology of renal obstruction through its interactions with two TNF-α receptors: TNFR1 and TNFR2. Activation of TNFR1 leads to the recruitment of the adaptor TNFR-associated death domain protein (TRADD), which binds the Ser/Thr kinase receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and TNFR-associated factors 2 (TRAF2). This TRADD-RIP-TRAF complex causes activation of the antiapoptotic pathway and inhibits caspase 8 activation. Meanwhile, activation of TNFR2 leads to depletion of TRAF2 and enhancement of the apoptotic pathway. Curcumin, the major component found in turmeric spice, has been reported to possess a protective role against renal injury elicited by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The present study aimed mainly to address the cytoprotective role of curcumin-rich diet (5% w/w) on the apoptotic pathway induced by UUO in rats after 30 d of ligation. METHODS: The levels of mRNA for TNFR1, TNFR2, RIP, TRAF2, and caspase 8 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The levels of TNF-α was determined by ELISA. Kidney sections were exposed to histologic and morphometric studies. RESULTS: Administration of curcumin decreased TNF-α, TNFR2, and caspase 8 without affecting TNFR1 levels. The gene expression levels of the antiapoptotic molecules RIP and TRAF2 were increased. CONCLUSIONS: The cytoprotective role of curcumin relies on its ability to decrease the TNFR2 mRNA and enhance the antiapoptotic molecules RIP and TRAF2 to decrease the apoptotic pathway via decreasing the caspase 8.

Frequent inadequate supply of micronutrients in fast food induces oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissues of weanling rats.

Fast food is high in energy density and low in essential micronutrient density, especially zinc (Zn), of which antioxidant processes are dependent. We have tested the hypothesis that frequent fast food consumption could induce oxidative damage associated with inflammation in weanling male rats in relevance to Zn deprivation, which could adversely affect testis function. Zn and iron (in plasma and testicular tissue), plasma antioxidant vitamins (A, E, and C), as well as testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation indexes (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility (LOS)), and inflammatory markers (plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and testicular tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)) were determined. Serum testosterone and histological examination of the testis were performed also. We found a severe decrease in antioxidant vitamins and Zn, with concomitant iron accumulation. Zinc deficiency correlated positively with SOD, GSH, antioxidant vitamins and testosterone, and negatively with TBARS, LOS, CRP and TNF-alpha, demonstrating a state of oxidative stress and inflammation. We concluded that micronutrient deficiency, especially Zn, enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissue leading to underdevelopment of testis and decreased testosterone levels.