Electroacupuncture efficacy in diabetic polyneuropathy: Study protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); its diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic improvement. However, as pharmacological therapy causes multiple adverse effects, the implementation of acupunctural techniques, such as electroacupuncture (EA) has been suggested as an alternative treatment. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scientific evidence, and its mechanisms are still unclear. We present the design and methodology of a new clinical randomized trial, that investigates the effectiveness of EA for the treatment of DPN. METHODS: This study is a four-armed, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial (20-week intervention period, plus 12 weeks of follow-up after concluding intervention). A total of 48 T2DM patients with clinical signs and symptoms of DPN; and electrophysiological signs in the Nerve Conduction Study (NCS); will be treated by acupuncture specialists in outpatient units in Mexico City. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following four groups: (a) short fibre DPN with EA, (b) short fibre DPN with sham EA, (c) axonal DPN with EA and (d) axonal DPN with sham EA treatment. The intervention will consist of 32 sessions, 20 min each, per patient over two cycles of intervention of 8 weeks each and a mid-term rest period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be NCS parameters, and secondary outcomes will include DPN-related symptoms and pain by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS), Dolour Neuropatique Score (DN-4), Semmes-Westein monofilament, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). To measure quality of life and improve oxidative stress, the inflammatory response; and genetic expression; will be analysed at the beginning and at the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will be conducted to compare the efficacy of EA versus sham EA combined with conventional diabetic and neuropathic treatments if needed. EA may improve NCS, neuropathic pain and symptoms, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and genetic expression, and it could be considered a potential coadjutant treatment for the management of DPN with a possible remyelinating effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05521737 Registered on 30 August 2022. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) ISRCTN97391213 Registered on 26 September 2022 [2b].

Pancreatic ß-Cell Apoptosis in Normoglycemic Rats is Due to Mitochondrial Translocation of p53-Induced by the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.

Overstimulation of pancreatic ß-cells can lead to dysfunction and death, prior to the clinical manifestations of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The excessive consumption of carbohydrates induces metabolic alterations that can affect the functions of the ß-cells and cause their death. We analyzed the role of p53 in pancreatic ß cell death in carbohydrate-supplemented Sprague Dawley rats. For four months, the animals received drinking water containing either 40% sucrose or 40% fructose. The glucose tolerance test was performed at week 15. Apoptosis was assessed with the TUNEL assay (TdT-mediated dUTP-nick end-labeling). Bax, p53, and insulin were assessed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative PCR. Insulin, triacylglycerol, and serum glucose and fatty acids in pancreatic tissue were measured. Carbohydrate consumption promotes apoptosis and mobilization of p53 from the cytosol to rat pancreatic ß-cell mitochondria before blood glucose rises. An increase in p53, miR-34a, and Bax mRNA was also detected (P < 0.001) in the sucrose group. As well as hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation, and increased pancreatic fatty acids in the sucrose group. Carbohydrate consumption increases p53 and its mobilization into ß-cell mitochondria and coincides with the increased rate of apoptosis, which occurs before serum glucose levels rise.

Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Aorta Reactivity from Obese and Hyperglycemic CD-1 Mice: New Insights into Perivascular Adipose Tissue.

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) plays an essential role in cardiovascular homeostasis. However, during obesity and diabetes, its role in vascular tone regulation is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the function of the PVAT on aorta reactivity in the lean and cafeteria (CAF) diet-induced obese-hyperglycemic mice model. Methods: Aorta reactivity to phenylephrine, KCl, and acetylcholine was analyzed in lean (n = 6) and obese mice (n = 6). Also, nitric oxide (NO-) and cyclooxygenase participation, in the presence (n = 6) and absence (n = 6) of PVAT, were examined in the aortas. Results: After a CAF diet for 19 weeks, obese mice showed increased body weight, glucose intolerance, and hypercholesterolemia concerning lean mice. Vascular reactivity to phenylephrine was reduced significantly in the aorta of obese mice. In contrast, the contraction produced by KCl (80 mM) was increased in the aorta of obese mice independent of PVAT. Acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation diminished in the aortas of obese mice in the presence of PVAT. Nonselective inhibition of cyclooxygenases likely shows that PVAT and endothelium release vasorelaxant prostanoids. Conclusions: The results suggest that PVAT modulates aorta reactivity by releasing NO-, decreasing the α1-adrenergic response to phenylephrine, and probably releasing vasorelaxant prostanoids. The data suggest that PVAT regulates the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial function in a CAF diet-induced obese-hyperglycemic mice model.

Expression of obesity- and type-2 diabetes-associated genes in omental adipose tissue of individuals with obesity.

AIMS: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two pathologies that share metabolic abnormalities in most of the cases; however, there are differences as well. Some studies have reported that approximately 30% of obese patients have normal glucose and lipid levels in blood despite an accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue. Here, we compare the gene expression in adipose tissue of several genes associated with obesity and/or diabetes between obese patients without T2D and obese patients with T2D. METHODS: Omental adipose tissue was collected during the patients elective bariatric surgery. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Phenotypic variables were correlated with gene expression and 2^-ΔΔCt relative expression analysis between groups was performed. RESULTS: The stronger correlations in the obese without T2D or reference group was between ICAM1 and HbA1c; HP and TC and LDL while in the obese with diabetes or case group the correlation occurred between CSF1 and BMI. A correlation between HP and TC was found in the case group as well. The expression of VEGFA, CCND2, IL1R1 and PTEN was downregulated in the obese with T2D group. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified genes whose expression is different between obese subjects with and without diabetes. Those genes are related to inflammation, cholesterol transport, adipocyte differentiation/expansion and browning.

Genetic variants in SLC22A1 are related to serum lipid levels in Mexican women.

Dyslipidemia is the main risk factor for coronary artery disease and is characterized by alterations in concentrations of lipids, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triacylglycerols. The participation of several genes in the development of dyslipidemia has been evidenced. Genetic variants in SLC22A1 have been associated with elevated cholesterol and LDL-c levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SLC22A1 gene with atherogenic risk lipid levels in Mexican women. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed, and four SNPs in SLC22A1 were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was verified, and haplotype frequencies were calculated. We found significant differences between the allele frequencies of the SNPs analyzed with those reported in Mexico and in the world, which could be due to differences in the historical admixture of the women studied. Generalized linear models were evaluated to determine the association between genotypes and haplotypes with lipids levels. We identified a significant increase in total cholesterol and LDL-c levels in women who were carriers of the GA and AG genotypes of the polymorphisms rs628031 and rs594709, respectively, significant effect that is also shown in a dominant inheritance model. Interestingly, we identified an important relationship of the AGC-GAT haplotype with the elevation in LDL-c levels and AGA-GAT haplotype with the elevation in HDL-c levels. On the other hand, we found a strong linkage disequilibrium between the polymorphisms studied. Our results show that variants in the SLC22A1 gene influence serum levels of atherogenic risk lipids, suggesting that these variants probably affect the function of organic cation transporter-1 and therefore, on the regulation of lipid metabolism.

PPARα/γ, adiponectin, and GLUT4 overexpression induced by moronic acid methyl ester influenced glucose and triglyceride levels of experimental diabetic mice.

The current study aimed to determine the antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activities of moronic acid methyl ester (1) (compound 1) by in vivo, in vitro, in silico, and molecular biology studies. Compound 1 was evaluated to establish its dose-dependent antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic (50 mg/kg) activities, in diabetic and normoglycemic male CD1 mice, respectively. Also, compound 1 was subjected to a subacute study (50 mg/kg per day for 8 days) to determine blood biochemical profiles and the expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α), PPAR-γ, adiponectin, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in adipose tissue of animals after treatment. Different doses in acute administration of compound 1 decreased glycemia (p < 0.05) compared with vehicle, showing greater effectiveness in the range 50-160 mg/kg. Also, the oral glucose tolerance test showed that compound 1 induced a significant antihyperglycemic action by opposing the hyperglycemic peak (p < 0.05). Moreover, compound 1 subacute administration decreased glucose and triglyceride levels after treatment (p < 0.05); while the expression of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ, adiponectin, and GLUT4 displayed an increase (p < 0.05) compared with the diabetic control group. In conclusion, compound 1 showed antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and antidyslipidemic effects in normal and diabetic mice, probably due to insulin sensitization through increased mRNA expression of GLUT4, PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and adiponectin genes.

Causal Association of Haptoglobin With Obesity in Mexican Children: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

CONTEXT: Little is known about the association between haptoglobin level and cardiometabolic traits. A previous genome-wide association study identified rs2000999 in the HP gene as the stronger genetic contributor to serum haptoglobin level in European populations. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the association of HP rs2000999 with serum haptoglobin and childhood and adult obesity in up to 540/697 and 592/691 Mexican cases and controls, respectively. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected. Serum haptoglobin was measured by an immunoturbidimetry assay. HP rs2000999 was genotyped using the TaqMan technology. Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using the Wald and inverse variance weighting methods. RESULTS: Haptoglobin level was positively associated with childhood and adult obesity. HP rs2000999 G allele was positively associated with haptoglobin level in children and adults. HP rs2000999 G allele was positively associated with childhood but not adult obesity. The association between HP rs2000999 and childhood obesity was removed after adjusting for haptoglobin level. In a Mendelian randomization analysis, haptoglobin level genetically predicted by HP rs2000999 showed a significant causal effect on childhood obesity by the Wald and inverse variance weighting methods. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence for the first time for a causal positive association between serum haptoglobin level and childhood obesity in the Mexican population. Our study contributes to the genetic elucidation of childhood obesity and proposes haptoglobin as an important biomarker and treatment target for obesity.

Association of rs2000999 in the haptoglobin gene with total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels in Mexican type 2 diabetes patients.

Recently, studies have shown significant association between the rs2000999 polymorphism in the haptoglobin-encoding gene (HP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. However, the association of rs2000999 with serum lipids in Latin American diabetic populations is still uncharacterized. Here, we analyzed the association of rs2000999 with TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C levels in 546 Mexican adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and in 654 controls without T2D. In this observational case-control study we included adults from 4 centers of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City recruited from 2012 to 2015. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides (TG), and glucose levels were measured by an enzymatic colorimetric method. The variant rs2000999 was genotyped using TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction. The percentage of Native-American ancestry showed a negative association with the rs2000999 A allele. In contrast, the rs2000999 A allele had a strong positive association with European ancestry, and to a lesser extent, with African ancestry. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between the variant rs2000999 and lipid concentrations, using different genetic models. Under codominant and recessive models, rs2000999 was significantly associated with TC and LDL-C levels in the T2D group and in controls without T2D. In addition, the group with T2D showed a significant association between the variant and HDL-C levels. In summary, the rs2000999 A allele in Mexican population is positively associated with the percentage of European and negatively associated with Native American ancestry. Carriers of the A allele have increased levels of TC and LDL-C, independently of T2D diagnosis, and also increased concentrations of HDL-C in the T2D sample.

Altered Glycemic Control Associated With Polymorphisms in the SLC22A1 (OCT1) Gene in a Mexican Population With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated With Metformin: A Cohort Study.

The organic cation transporters OCT1 and OCT2 and the multidrug and toxin extrusion transporter MATE1, encoded by the SLC22A1, SLC22A2, and SLC47A1 genes, respectively, are responsible for the absorption of metformin in enterocytes, hepatocytes, and kidney cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether genetic variations in the SLC22A1, SLC22A2, and SLC47A1 genes could be associated with an altered response to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A cohort study was conducted in 308 individuals with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus of less than 3 years and who had metformin monotherapy. Three measurements of blood glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) were obtained at the beginning of the study and after 6 and 12 months. Five polymorphisms were analyzed in the SLC22A1 (rs622342, rs628031, rs594709), SLC22A2 (rs316019), and SLC47A1 (rs2289669) genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed a significant association among genotypes CC-rs622342 (ß = 1.36; P < .001), AA-rs628031 (ß = 0.98; P = .032), and GG-rs594709 (ß = 1.21; P = .016) in the SLC22A1 gene with an increase in HbA1c levels during the follow-up period. Additionally, a significant association was found in the CGA and CAG haplotypes with an increase in HbA1c levels compared to the highest-frequency haplotype (AGA). In conclusion, the genetic variation in the SLC22A1 gene was significantly related to the variation of the HbA1c levels, an important indicator of glycemic control in diabetic patients. This information may contribute to identifying patients with an altered response to metformin before starting their therapy.

Analysis of Flavonoids Bioactivity for Cholestatic Liver Disease: Systematic Literature Search and Experimental Approaches.

Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds that show health benefits on the liver. However, there is little investigation about identification and evaluation of new flavonoid-containing drugs for cholestatic liver disease, one of the most common liver illnesses. We aimed to a systematic search regarding efficacy of flavonoids for treatment of cholestatic liver disease, and then evaluate naringenin (NG) as representative flavonoid in an obstructive cholestasis model. We searched for information of experimental and clinical studies in four major databases without time and language limits. Intervention was defined as any flavonoid derivate compared with other flavonoid, placebo, or without comparator. In addition, we evaluated NG on a bile duct-ligated model in order to contribute evidence of its actions. Eleven experimental reports that support the efficacy of flavonoids in cholestatic liver disease were identified. However, there was no homogeneity in efficacy endpoints evaluated and methodology. On the other hand, NG showed beneficial effects by improving specific metabolic (cholesterol and lipoproteins) and liver damage (bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase) biomarkers. The review lacks homogeneous evidence about efficacy of flavonoids in experimental settings, and is susceptible to risk for bias. NG only showed improvements in specific disease biomarkers. More investigation is still needed to determine its potential for drug development.

Adiponectin is associated with cardio-metabolic traits in Mexican children.

The adipocyte-derived adiponectin hormone bridges obesity and its cardio-metabolic complications. Genetic variants at the ADIPOQ locus, in ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 have been associated with adiponectin concentrations and cardio-metabolic complications in diverse ethnicities. However, no studies have examined these associations in Mexican children. We recruited 1 457 Mexican children from Mexico City. Six genetic variants in or near ADIPOQ (rs182052, rs2241766, rs266729, rs822393), ADIPOR1 (rs10920533), and ADIPOR2 (rs11061971) were genotyped. Associations between serum adiponectin, genetic variants, and cardio-metabolic traits were assessed using linear and logistic regressions adjusted for age, sex, and recruitment center. Serum adiponectin concentration was negatively associated with body mass index, waist to hip ratio, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and overweight/obesity status (7.76 × 10-40 ≤ p ≤ 3.00 × 10-3). No significant associations between genetic variants in ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 and serum adiponectin concentration were identified (all p ≥ 0.30). No significant associations between the six genetic variants and cardio-metabolic traits were observed after Bonferroni correction (all p < 6.9 × 10-4). Our study suggests strong associations between circulating adiponectin concentration and cardio-metabolic traits in Mexican children.

Genetic contribution to waist-to-hip ratio in Mexican children and adolescents based on 12 loci validated in European adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of abdominal obesity in Mexican children has risen dramatically in the past decade. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) performed predominantly in European descent adult  populations have identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with larger effects in women. The contribution of these SNPs to WHR in non-European children is unknown. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Mexican children and adolescents (N = 1421, 5-17 years) were recruited in Mexico City. Twelve GWAS SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan Open Array and analyzed individually and as a gene score (GS). RESULTS: Mexican boys and girls displayed 2.81 ± 0.29 and 3.10 ± 0.31 WHR standard deviations higher than children and adolescents from the United States. WHR was positively associated with TG (ß = 0.733 ± 0.190, P = 1.1 × 10-4) and LDL-C (ß = 0.491 ± 0.203, P = 1.6 × 10-2), and negatively associated with HDL-C (ß = -0.652 ± 0.195, P = 8.0 × 10-4), independently of body mass index. The effect allele frequency (EAF) of 8 of 12 (67%) SNPs differed significantly (P < 4.17 × 10-3) in Mexican children and European adults, with no evidence of effect allele enrichment in both populations (4 depleted and 4 enriched; binomial test, P = 1). Ten out of 12 SNPs (83.3%) had effects that were directionally consistent with those reported in GWAS (P = 0.04). HOXC13 rs1443512 displayed the best fit when modeled recessively, and was significantly associated with WHR under a recessive mode of inheritance (ß = 0.140 ± 0.06, P = 2.3 × 10-2). Significant interactions with sex were also observed for HOXC13 rs1443512 and the GS on WHR (P = 2.2 × 10-2 and 1.2 × 10-2, respectively). HOXC13 rs1443512 (ß = 0.022 ± 0.012, P = 4.7 × 10-2) and the GS (ß = 0.007 ± 0.003, P = 7.0 × 10-3) were significantly associated with WHR in girls only. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that Mexican children are at high risk for abdominal obesity and detrimental lipid profiles. Our data support a partial transferability of sex-specific European GWAS WHR association signals in children and adolescents from the admixed Mexican population.

Fine-mapping of 98 obesity loci in Mexican children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mexico has one of the highest prevalence of childhood obesity in the world. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for obesity have identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in populations of European, East Asian, and African descent. The contribution of these loci to obesity in Mexican children is unclear. We assessed the transferability of 98 obesity loci in Mexican children and fine-mapped the association signals. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study included 405 and 390 Mexican children with normal weight and obesity. Participants were genotyped with a genome-wide dense SNP array designed for Latino populations, allowing for the analysis of GWAS index SNPs as well as fine-mapping SNPs, totaling 750 SNPs covering 98 loci. Two genetic risk scores (GRS) were constructed: a "discovery GRS" and a "best-associated GRS", representing the number of effect alleles at the GWAS index SNPs and at the best-associated SNPs after fine-mapping for each subject. RESULTS: Seventeen obesity loci were significantly associated with obesity, and five had fine-mapping SNPs significantly better associated with obesity than their corresponding GWAS index SNPs in Mexican children. Six obesity-associated SNPs significantly departed from additive to dominant (N = 5) or recessive (N = 1) models, and a significant interaction was found between rs274609 (TNNI3K) and rs1010553 (ITIH4) on childhood obesity risk. The best-associated GRS was significantly more associated with childhood obesity (OR = 1.21 per additional risk allele [95%CI:1.17-1.25], P = 4.8 × 10-25) than the discovery GRS (OR = 1.05 per additional risk allele [95%CI:1.02-1.08], P = 8.0 × 10-4), and was also associated with waist-to-hip ratio, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and triglyceride levels, the association being mediated by obesity. An overall depletion of obesity risk alleles was observed in Mexican children with normal weight when compared to GWAS discovery populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates a partial transferability of GWAS obesity loci in Mexican children, and supports the pertinence of post-GWAS fine-mapping experiments in the admixed Mexican population.

The rs1256031 of estrogen receptor ß gene is associated with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To determine the association between the rs1256031 polymorphism and risk of developing type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases and controls study. 597 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 605 without it participated. Genotyping of the rs1256031 polymorphism of the ERß gene was performed by real-time PCR using TaqMan assay. For the multivariate analysis, a multiple logistic regression was performed that included the main confounding variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, WHR, BMI and gender. The dominant model showed a protective effect compared to the TT genotype (OR = 0.596, IC95% [0.458-0.776]). DISCUSSION: The proportions of native American, European and African ancestry were characterized and no difference was found in the study groups. The protective effect obtained in the dominant model could to be due a regulatory function in the transcription or the processing of the primary transcript. Our result are the first to report an association between the polymorphism rs1256031 and the reduction of the risk of T2D in the Mexican population. The rs1256031 polymorphism show reduced risk of developing T2D and is potential markers for predicting T2D.

Participation of the IKK-α/ß complex in the inhibition of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway by glycine: Possible involvement of a membrane receptor specific to adipocytes.

Glycine modulates inflammatory processes mediated by macrophages and adipocytes through decreasing the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin, while increasing adiponectin. These effects have been associated with the inactivation of NF-κB in response to TNF-α, across an increase of its inhibitor IκB-α in adipocytes. However, glycine upstream mainly influences the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, a multi-protein kinase complex considered a critical point in regulation of the NF-κB pathway; whether that is responsible for the TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of IkB has not been explored. Additionally, although previous studies have described glycine interactions with specific receptors (GlyR) in different immune system cell types, it is currently unknown whether adipocytes present GlyR. In this research, participation of the IKK-α/ß complex in the inhibition of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway by glycine was evaluated and associated with the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, we also explored GlyR expression, its localization on the plasmatic membrane, intracellular calcium concentrations [Ca2+]i and strychnine antagonist action over the GlyR in these cells. Glycine decreased the IKK-α/ß complex and the phosphorylation of NF-κB, diminishing the expression and secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α, but increasing that of adiponectin. GlyR expression and its fluorescence in the plasma membrane were increased in the presence of glycine. In addition, glycine decreased [Ca2+]i; whereas strychnine + glycine treatment inhibited the activation of NF-κB observed with glycine. In conclusion, the reduction of TNF-α and IL-6 and suppression of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway by glycine may be explained in part by inhibition of the IKK-α/ß complex, with a possible participation of GlyR in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Antidiabetic, antidyslipidemic and toxicity profile of ENV-2: A potent pyrazole derivative against diabetes and related diseases.

Diabetes is a major health problem and a predisposition factor for further degenerative complications and, therefore, novel therapies are urgently needed. Currently, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 receptor) antagonists have been considered as promissory entities for metabolic disorders treatment. Accordingly, the purpose of this work was the evaluation of the sub-acute antidiabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic and toxicological profile of ENV-2, a potent hypoglycemic and antioxidant CB1 receptor antagonist. In this study, ENV-2 showed a pronounced anti-hyperglycemic effect even at a dose of 5mg/kg (P<0.05) in a glucose tolerance test on normoglycemic rats. Moreover, after administration of ENV-2 (16mg/kg) to diabetic rats, a prominent antidiabetic activity was observed (P<0.05), which was higher than glibenclamide. Sub-acute treatment (10 days) of ENV-2 resulted in a significant reduction of plasma glucose (P<0.05). Also, the levels of peripheral lipids were improved; blood triacylglycerols (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) were diminished (P<0.05). In addition, it was found that ENV-2 reduced IL-1ß and IL-18 mRNA expression in adipose tissue (P<0.05). Due to the satisfactory outcomes, we were interested in evaluating the toxicity of ENV-2 in both acute and sub-chronic approaches. Regarding the acute administration, the compound resulted to be non-toxic and was grouped in category 5 according to OECD. It was also found that sub-chronic administration did not increase the size of the studied organs, while no structural damage was observed in heart, lung, liver and kidney tissues. Finally, neither AST nor ALT damage hepatic markers were augmented.

High Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Levels Increase Proinflammatory and Cardiovascular Markers in Patients with Extreme Obesity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity is an important health problem worldwide and many studies have suggested a relationship between obesity and thyroid function, with controversial results. Interestingly, high TSH levels have been involved with the presence of inflammatory state and risk for developing cardiovascular diseases in hypothyroid and obese patients. The aim in this work was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with extreme obesity and to determine whether their TSH levels were related to increased serum levels of inflammatory and cardiovascular markers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 101 patients with extreme obesity (BMI ≥40) was performed. Anthropometric (weight, height and waist circumference) and biochemical (fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and insulin) parameters were measured. TSH and FT4 levels as well as clinical exploration for diagnosis of hypothyroidism were carried out. Serum concentration of IL-10, IL-6, adiponectin, resistin, leptin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin were determined. RESULTS: A high prevalence for diabetes (37.6%), prediabetes (50.5%), dyslipidemia (74.3%), hypertension (61.4%) and hypothyroidism (48.5%) was observed in patients with extreme obesity. The presence of hypothyroidism increased serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and leptin and decreased the antiinflammatory cytokine adiponectin. In addition, serum TSH levels showed a correlation for waist circumference, weight, BMI, A1c, insulin, IL-6, leptin, ICAM-1 and E-selectin. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence for hypothyroidism in patients with extreme obesity. High levels of TSH contribute to elevate proinflammatory and cardiovascular risk markers, increasing the risk for development of cardiovascular diseases.

Evaluating the transferability of 15 European-derived fasting plasma glucose SNPs in Mexican children and adolescents.

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in adult European populations. The contribution of these SNPs to FPG in non-Europeans and children is unclear. We studied the association of 15 GWAS SNPs and a genotype score (GS) with FPG and 7 metabolic traits in 1,421 Mexican children and adolescents from Mexico City. Genotyping of the 15 SNPs was performed using TaqMan Open Array. We used multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index standard deviation score, and recruitment center. We identified significant associations between 3 SNPs (G6PC2 (rs560887), GCKR (rs1260326), MTNR1B (rs10830963)), the GS and FPG level. The FPG risk alleles of 11 out of the 15 SNPs (73.3%) displayed significant or non-significant beta values for FPG directionally consistent with those reported in adult European GWAS. The risk allele frequencies for 11 of 15 (73.3%) SNPs differed significantly in Mexican children and adolescents compared to European adults from the 1000G Project, but no significant enrichment in FPG risk alleles was observed in the Mexican population. Our data support a partial transferability of European GWAS FPG association signals in children and adolescents from the admixed Mexican population.

[Level of expression of gene CTSL and its correlation with natural killer T-Cells in mexican pediatric patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes]. / Asociación de células NKT con la expresión del gen CTSL en población pediátrica mexicana con diabetes tipo 1 de reciente diagnóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of expression of the gene CTSL and its correlation with NKT cells in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D), their siblings, and healthy controls. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional design. Patients with T1D < 3 months evolution, their siblings, and healthy controls were included. Percentages and absolute numbers of NKT cells were measured with expression of the CTSL gene. RESULTS: 124 subjects: with T1D (n = 48), siblings (n = 44) and controls (n = 32) were included. HbA1c was greater and C-peptide lower in T1D than the other groups and sibling age was higher (p < 0.001). There were no differences in NKT cells between T1D (0.176 ± 0.202) and controls (0.118 ± 0.133), but the percentage was higher in siblings (0.246 ± 0.188; p = 0.002). Lower level of expression of the CTSL gene associated with both absolute number (r: 0.4607; 95% CI: -0.08425 to -0.7935; p = 0.043) and percentage of NKT cells (r: 0.4540; 95% CI: -0.0927 to -0.7903; p = 0.045) in the T1D group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T1D have lower percentage and absolute number of NKT cells compared to their siblings. NKT cells absolute numbers are correlated with the expression of CTSL in T1D patients.