Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improves clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

ABSTRACT The effect of glutamine dipeptide (GDP) supplementation in patients with diabetic foot syndrome was evaluated. A total of 22 patients took part in the study. GDP was supplied in 10 g sachets, and was dissolved in water immediately before use, with ingestion once a day, after lunch or after dinner (20 g/day) over a period of 30 days. Quantification of foot insensitive areas, oxidative stress, blood cytokines, and biochemical, hematological and toxicological parameters was performed before and after GDP supplementation. We observed an increase in blood levels of interferon-α (P=0.023), interferon-γ (P=0.038), interleukin-4 (P=0.003), interleukin-6 (P=0.0025), interleukin-7 (P=0.028), interleukin-12 p40 (P=0.017), interleukin-13 (P=0.001), leukocytes (P=0.037), eosinophils (P=0.049), and typical lymphocytes (P<0.001) due to GDP administration. In addition, we observed a reduced number (P=0.048) of insensitive areas on the foot, and reduction (P=0.047) of fasting hyperglycemia. Patients also showed increased blood high density lipoprotein (P<0.01) and protein thiol groups (P=0.004). These favorable results were associated with the absence of renal and hepatic toxicity. These results are of clinical relevance, since supplementation with GDP over 30 days improved clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome.

Serum melatonin level and oxidative stress in sickle cell anemia.

This study evaluated serum melatonin levels in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and compared the results to lipid peroxidation by determining thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The group studied was composed of 15 SCA patients and 24 subjects without hemoglobinopathies. The average melatonin level was significantly reduced in the SCA patients (p<0.001) when compared to the control group. The SCA patients showed significantly higher values for TBARS and TEAC when compared to values obtained for the control group (p<0.001 and p<0.01). Results from the correlation analysis in the SCA group were not statistically significant for any parameters except for TBARS and TEAC levels, which had a positive correlation (r=0.51; p=0.04), suggesting the participation of melatonin in antioxidant defense. The use of melatonin could be a possible therapeutic target for improving antioxidant defense and to reduce oxidative damage, alleviating symptoms associated with SCA.