Deficiencies in the Recognition and Reporting of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; A Hungarian Nationwide Analysis.

Objectives: Recognition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is crucial in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate T2DM-associated CKD in Hungary between 2016 and 2020. Methods: Annual incidence and prevalence rates of registered CKD amongst all pharmacologically treated T2DM patients were analyzed in different age-groups by the central database of the Hungarian Health Insurance Fund Management. Statistical methods included Poisson regression, Bonferroni test, Chi-square test. Results: We found 499,029 T2DM patients and 48,902 CKD patients in 2016, and 586,075 T2DM patients and 38,347 CKD patients in 2020. The majority of all prevalent T2DM and CKD patients were older (aged 60-69 years: 34.1% and 25.8%; ≥70 years: 36.1% and 64.4%, respectively). The annual incidence of T2DM and incidence rates of CKD in T2DM decreased in 2017-2020 (p < 0.001). The annual prevalence of T2DM increased (p < 0.01), the prevalence rates of CKD in T2DM were low and decreased from 9.8% to 6.5% in 2016-2020 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Incidence and prevalence of T2DM-associated CKD decreased significantly in Hungary in 2016-2020. Lower prevalence rates of CKD may suggest under-recognition and/or under-reporting.

Prevalence, Cardiometabolic Comorbidities and Reporting of Chronic Kidney Disease; A Hungarian Cohort Analysis.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) implies increased comorbidity burden, disability, and mortality, becoming a significant public health problem worldwide, however, prevalence data are lacking in Hungary. Methods: We determined CKD prevalence, stage distribution, comorbidities using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, and international disease codes in a cohort of healthcare utilizing residents within the catchment area of the University of Pécs, in the County Baranya, Hungary, between 2011 and 2019 by database analysis. The number of laboratory-confirmed and diagnosis-coded CKD patients were compared. Results: Of the total 296,781 subjects of the region, 31.3% had eGFR tests and 6.4% had albuminuria measurements, of whom we identified 13,596 CKD patients (14.0%) based on laboratory thresholds. Distribution by eGFR was presented (G3a: 70%, G3b: 22%, G4: 6%, G5: 2%). Amongst all CKD patients 70.2% had hypertension, 41.5% diabetes, 20.5% heart failure, 9.4% myocardial infarction, 10.5% stroke. Only 28.6% of laboratory-confirmed cases were diagnosis-coded for CKD in 2011-2019. Conclusion: CKD prevalence was 14.0% in a Hungarian subpopulation of healthcare-utilizing subjects in 2011-2019, and substantial under-reporting of CKD was also found.

Incorporation of Oxidized Phenylalanine Derivatives into Insulin Signaling Relevant Proteins May Link Oxidative Stress to Signaling Conditions Underlying Chronic Insulin Resistance.

A link between oxidative stress and insulin resistance has been suggested. Hydroxyl free radicals are known to be able to convert phenylalanine (Phe) into the non-physiological tyrosine isoforms ortho- and meta-tyrosine (o-Tyr, m-Tyr). The aim of our study was to examine the role of o-Tyr and m-Tyr in the development of insulin resistance. We found that insulin-induced uptake of glucose was blunted in cultures of 3T3-L1 grown on media containing o- or m-Tyr. We show that these modified amino acids are incorporated into cellular proteins. We focused on insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), which plays a role in insulin signaling. The activating phosphorylation of IRS-1 was increased by insulin, the effect of which was abolished in cells grown in m-Tyr or o-Tyr media. We found that phosphorylation of m- or o-Tyr containing IRS-1 segments by insulin receptor (IR) kinase was greatly reduced, PTP-1B phosphatase was incapable of dephosphorylating phosphorylated m- or o-Tyr IRS-1 peptides, and the SH2 domains of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) bound the o-Tyr IRS-1 peptides with greatly reduced affinity. According to our data, m- or o-Tyr incorporation into IRS-1 modifies its protein-protein interactions with regulating enzymes and effectors, thus IRS-1 eventually loses its capacity to play its role in insulin signaling, leading to insulin resistance.

Exenatide induces aortic vasodilation increasing hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide production.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that GLP-1 agonist exenatide (exendin-4) decreases blood pressure. The dose-dependent vasodilator effect of exendin-4 has previously been demonstrated, although the precise mechanism is not thoroughly described. Here we have aimed to provide in vitro evidence for the hypothesis that exenatide may decrease central (aortic) blood pressure involving three gasotransmitters, namely nitric oxide (NO) carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). METHODS: We determined the vasoactive effect of exenatide on isolated thoracic aortic rings of adult rats. Two millimetre-long vessel segments were placed in a wire myograph and preincubated with inhibitors of the enzymes producing the three gasotransmitters, with inhibitors of reactive oxygen species formation, prostaglandin synthesis, inhibitors of protein kinases, potassium channels or with an inhibitor of the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger. RESULTS: Exenatide caused dose-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta, which was evoked via the GLP-1 receptor and was mediated mainly by H2S but also by NO and CO. Prostaglandins and superoxide free radical also play a part in the relaxation. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase significantly diminished vasorelaxation. We found that ATP-sensitive-, voltage-gated- and calcium-activated large-conductance potassium channels are also involved in the vasodilation, but that seemingly the inhibition of the KCNQ-type voltage-gated potassium channels resulted in the most remarkable decrease in the rate of vasorelaxation. Inhibition of the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger abolished most of the vasodilation. CONCLUSIONS: Exenatide induces vasodilation in rat thoracic aorta with the contribution of all three gasotransmitters. We provide in vitro evidence for the potential ability of exenatide to lower central (aortic) blood pressure, which could have relevant clinical importance.

Association of plasma ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine ratio with responsiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent in dialyzed patients.

Objectives Patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are often ESA-hyporesponsive associated with free radical production. Hydroxyl free radical converts phenylalanine into ortho-tyrosine, while physiological isomer para-tyrosine is formed enzymatically, mainly in the kidney. Production of 'para-tyrosine' is decreased in ESRF and it can be replaced by ortho-tyrosine in proteins. Our aim was to study the role of tyrosines in ESA-responsiveness. Methods Four groups of volunteers were involved in our cross-sectional study: healthy volunteers (CONTR; n = 16), patients on hemodialysis without ESA-treatment (non-ESA-HD; n = 8), hemodialyzed patients with ESA-treatment (ESA-HD; n = 40), and patients on continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD; n = 21). Plasma ortho-, para-tyrosine, and phenylalanine levels were detected using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-method. ESA-demand was expressed by ESA-dose, ESA-dose/body weight, and erythropoietin resistance index1 (ERI1, weekly ESA-dose/body weight/hemoglobin). Results We found significantly lower para-tyrosine levels in all groups of dialyzed patients when compared with control subjects, while in contrast ortho-tyrosine levels and ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine ratio were comparatively significantly higher in dialyzed patients. Among groups of dialyzed patients the ortho-tyrosine level and ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine ratio were significantly higher in ESA-HD than in the non-ESA-HD and CAPD groups. There was a correlation between weekly ESA-dose/body weight, ERI1, and ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine ratio (r = 0.441, P = 0.001; r = 0.434, P = 0.001, respectively). Our most important finding was that the ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine ratio proved to be an independent predictor of ERI1 (ß = 0.330, P = 0.016). In these multivariate regression models most of the known predictors of ESA-hyporesponsiveness were included. Discussion Our findings may suggest that elevation of the ratio of ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine could be responsible for decreased ESA-responsiveness in dialyzed patients.

Incorporation of ortho- and meta-tyrosine into cellular proteins leads to erythropoietin-resistance in an erythroid cell line.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Erythropoietin-resistance is an unsolved concern in the treatment of renal anaemia. We aimed to investigate the possible role of ortho- and meta-tyrosine - the hydroxyl free radical products of L-phenylalanine - in the development of erythropoietin-resistance. METHODS: TF-1 erythroblast cell line was used. Cell concentration was determined on day 1; 2 and 3 by two independent observers simultaneously in Bürker cell counting chambers. Protein concentration was determined with colorimetric method. Para-, ortho- and meta-tyrosine levels were measured using reverse phase-HPLC with fluorescence detection. Using Western blot method activating phosphorylation of STAT5 and ERK1/2 were investigated. RESULTS: We found a time- and concentration-dependent decrease of erythropoietin-induced proliferative activity in case of ortho- and meta-tyrosine treated TF-1 erythroblasts, compared to the para-tyrosine cultured cells. Decreased erythropoietin-response could be regained with a competitive dose of para-tyrosine. Proteins of erythroblasts treated by ortho- or meta-tyrosine had lower para-tyrosine and higher ortho- or meta-tyrosine content. Activating phosphorylation of ERK and STAT5 due to erythropoietin was practically prevented by ortho- or meta-tyrosine treatment. CONCLUSION: According to this study elevated ortho- and meta-tyrosine content of erythroblasts may lead to the dysfunction of intracellular signaling, resulting in erythropoietin-hyporesponsiveness.

O-GlcNAcylation, novel post-translational modification linking myocardial metabolism and cardiomyocyte circadian clock.

The cardiomyocyte circadian clock directly regulates multiple myocardial functions in a time-of-day-dependent manner, including gene expression, metabolism, contractility, and ischemic tolerance. These same biological processes are also directly influenced by modification of proteins by monosaccharides of O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). Because the circadian clock and protein O-GlcNAcylation have common regulatory roles in the heart, we hypothesized that a relationship exists between the two. We report that total cardiac protein O-GlcNAc levels exhibit a diurnal variation in mouse hearts, peaking during the active/awake phase. Genetic ablation of the circadian clock specifically in cardiomyocytes in vivo abolishes diurnal variations in cardiac O-GlcNAc levels. These time-of-day-dependent variations appear to be mediated by clock-dependent regulation of O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase protein levels, glucose metabolism/uptake, and glutamine synthesis in an NAD-independent manner. We also identify the clock component Bmal1 as an O-GlcNAc-modified protein. Increasing protein O-GlcNAcylation (through pharmacological inhibition of O-GlcNAcase) results in diminished Per2 protein levels, time-of-day-dependent induction of bmal1 gene expression, and phase advances in the suprachiasmatic nucleus clock. Collectively, these data suggest that the cardiomyocyte circadian clock increases protein O-GlcNAcylation in the heart during the active/awake phase through coordinated regulation of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and that protein O-GlcNAcylation in turn influences the timing of the circadian clock.

Acute regulation of cardiac metabolism by the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and protein O-GlcNAcylation.

OBJECTIVE: The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) flux and protein O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) levels have been implicated in mediating the adverse effects of diabetes in the cardiovascular system. Activation of these pathways with glucosamine has been shown to mimic some of the diabetes-induced functional and structural changes in the heart; however, the effect on cardiac metabolism is not known. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to determine the effects of glucosamine on cardiac substrate utilization. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were perfused with glucosamine (0-10 mM) to increase HBP flux under normoxic conditions. Metabolic fluxes were determined by (13)C-NMR isotopomer analysis; UDP-GlcNAc a precursor of O-GlcNAc synthesis was assessed by HPLC and immunoblot analysis was used to determine O-GlcNAc levels, phospho- and total levels of AMPK and ACC, and membrane levels of FAT/CD36. RESULTS: Glucosamine caused a dose dependent increase in both UDP-GlcNAc and O-GlcNAc levels, which was associated with a significant increase in palmitate oxidation with a concomitant decrease in lactate and pyruvate oxidation. There was no effect of glucosamine on AMPK or ACC phosphorylation; however, membrane levels of the fatty acid transport protein FAT/CD36 were increased and preliminary studies suggest that FAT/CD36 is a potential target for O-GlcNAcylation. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These data demonstrate that acute modulation of HBP and protein O-GlcNAcylation in the heart stimulates fatty acid oxidation, possibly by increasing plasma membrane levels of FAT/CD36, raising the intriguing possibility that the HBP and O-GlcNAc turnover represent a novel, glucose dependent mechanism for regulating cardiac metabolism.

Resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress and activates the Akt pathway in type 2 diabetic patients.

Although resveratrol has widely been studied for its potential health benefits, little is known about its metabolic effects in humans. Our aims were to determine whether the polyphenol resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients and to gain some insight into the mechanism of its action. After an initial general examination (including blood chemistry), nineteen patients enrolled in the 4-week-long double-blind study were randomly assigned into two groups: a resveratrol group receiving oral 2 × 5 mg resveratrol and a control group receiving placebo. Before and after the second and fourth weeks of the trial, insulin resistance/sensitivity, creatinine-normalised ortho-tyrosine level in urine samples (as a measure of oxidative stress), incretin levels and phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAkt):protein kinase B (Akt) ratio in platelets were assessed and statistically analysed. After the fourth week, resveratrol significantly decreased insulin resistance (homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance) and urinary ortho-tyrosine excretion, while it increased the pAkt:Akt ratio in platelets. On the other hand, it had no effect on parameters that relate to ß-cell function (i.e. homeostasis model of assessment of ß-cell function). The present study shows for the first time that resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity in humans, which might be due to a resveratrol-induced decrease in oxidative stress that leads to a more efficient insulin signalling via the Akt pathway.

Inhibition of O-GlcNAcase in perfused rat hearts by NAG-thiazolines at the time of reperfusion is cardioprotective in an O-GlcNAc-dependent manner.

Acute increases in O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) levels of cardiac proteins exert protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. One strategy to rapidly increase cellular O-GlcNAc levels is inhibition of O-GlcNAcase (OGA), which catalyzes O-GlcNAc removal. Here we tested the cardioprotective efficacy of two novel and highly selective OGA inhibitors, the NAG-thiazoline derivatives NAG-Bt and NAG-Ae. Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 20 min global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. At the time of reperfusion, hearts were assigned to the following four groups: 1) untreated control; 2) 50 µM NAG-Bt; 3) 100 µM NAG-Bt; or 4) 50 µM NAG-Ae. All treatment groups significantly increased total O-GlcNAc levels (P < 0.05 vs. control), and this was significantly correlated with improved contractile function and reduced cardiac troponin I release (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry of normoxic hearts showed intense nuclear O-GlcNAc staining and higher intensity at Z-lines with colocalization of O-GlcNAc and the Z-line proteins desmin and vinculin. After I/R, there was a marked loss of both cytosolic and nuclear O-GlcNAcylation and disruption of normal striated Z-line structures. OGA inhibition largely preserved structural integrity and attenuated the loss of O-GlcNAcylation; however, nuclear O-GlcNAc levels remained low. Immunoblot analysis confirmed ∼50% loss in both nuclear and cytosolic O-GlcNAcylation following I/R, which was significantly attenuated by OGA inhibition (P < 0.05). These data provide further support for the notion that increasing cardiac O-GlcNAc levels by inhibiting OGA may be a clinically relevant approach for ischemic cardioprotection, in part, by preserving the integrity of O-GlcNAc-associated Z-line protein structures.

Effects of pentoxifylline and pentosan polysulphate combination therapy on diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Vascular dysfunction, including impaired perfusion has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications in diabetes mellitus. Both pentoxifylline (PF) and pentosan polysulphate (PPS) are known to improve microcirculation. Antioxidant and antiproteinuric effects of PF are also known. In a placebo-controlled study, we determined the possible efficacy of PF-PPS combination therapy on diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Patients in Verum group (n = 77) received PF-PPS infusions (100-100 mg/day) for 5 days. Control diabetics (Placebo group; n = 12) were given only saline infusions. Specialized cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests, vibration threshold values and urinary albumin excretion were assessed before and after therapy. In Verum group, autonomic score, indicating the severity of cardiac autonomic dysfunction, decreased after therapy (p < or = 0.001). Of the reflexes, deep breath and handgrip tests also improved after therapy (p < or = 0.001). Vibration threshold values, an indicator of the loss of sensory nerve function, were increased after therapy (p < or = 0.001). Results of cardiac autonomic tests and vibration threshold values remained unaltered in Placebo group. Majority of patients had normalbuminuria, which was not affected by PF-PPS. In conclusion, short-term PF-PPS therapy was effective on cardiovascular autonomic function and vibration perception, whereas it failed to reduce albuminuria within normal range in type 2 diabetic patients.

Protein O-GlcNAcylation: a new signaling paradigm for the cardiovascular system.

The posttranslational modification of serine and threonine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins by the O-linked attachment of the monosaccharide beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a highly dynamic and ubiquitous protein modification. Protein O-GlcNAcylation is rapidly emerging as a key regulator of critical biological processes including nuclear transport, translation and transcription, signal transduction, cytoskeletal reorganization, proteasomal degradation, and apoptosis. Increased levels of O-GlcNAc have been implicated as a pathogenic contributor to glucose toxicity and insulin resistance, which are both major hallmarks of diabetes mellitus and diabetes-related cardiovascular complications. Conversely, there is a growing body of data demonstrating that the acute activation of O-GlcNAc levels is an endogenous stress response designed to enhance cell survival. Reports on the effect of altered O-GlcNAc levels on the heart and cardiovascular system have been growing rapidly over the past few years and have implicated a role for O-GlcNAc in contributing to the adverse effects of diabetes on cardiovascular function as well as mediating the response to ischemic injury. Here, we summarize our present understanding of protein O-GlcNAcylation and its effect on the regulation of cardiovascular function. We examine the pathways regulating protein O-GlcNAcylation and discuss, in more detail, our understanding of the role of O-GlcNAc in both mediating the adverse effects of diabetes as well as its role in mediating cellular protective mechanisms in the cardiovascular system. In addition, we also explore the parallels between O-GlcNAc signaling and redox signaling, as an alternative paradigm for understanding the role of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating cell function.

Serum total LDH activity and LDH-2 isozyme in nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proteinuria, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and oedema are major characteristics of nephrotic syndrome. Aims of this study were to detect serum total LDH activity and its isozymes in nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, clinical parameters were compared in three cohorts, namely kidney patients with or without nephrotic syndrome and hypoalbuminaemic controls (NEPHR, NON-NEPHR, CONTR, respectively). RESULTS: Serum total LDH activity in the NEPHR group was increased compared with the NON-NEPHR and CONTR groups (p < 0.001) and correlated with serum total protein (r = -0.549, p < 0.001), serum albumin (r = -0.596, p < 0.001), proteinuria (r = 0.456, p < 0.001) and serum total cholesterol (r = 0.523, p < 0.001). LDH isozyme pattern was analysed in three subgroups of the patients. Serum LDH-2 activity was higher in the NEPHR subgroup compared with the NON-NEPHR and CONTR subgroups (p < 0.001). Serum LDH-2 activity correlated with serum total protein (r = -0.665, p < 0.001), serum albumin (r = -0.615, p < 0.001), proteinuria (r = 0.694, p < 0.001), and serum total cholesterol (r = 0.723, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that serum total protein proved to be an independent predictor of serum total LDH activity, while serum total protein and proteinuria were predictors of LDH-2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that serum total LDH activity might be a marker of the activity of the nephrotic syndrome.

[Importance of hereditary haemochromatosis in the care of diabetes mellitus]. / A hereditaer haemochromatosis jelentosége a diabeteses betegek gondozásában.

Interactions of iron and carbohydrate metabolism were examined using results of the literature. Special attention was paid to the description of processes involving free radical production because both hereditary haemochromatosis and diabetes mellitus lead to complications by inducing oxidative stress. High levels of blood and tissue glucose produce an excess of electrons. This overload of tissues by electrons may reduce redox-active, non-haeme ferric iron to ferrous one evolving oxidative stress. Hereditary haemochromatosis may cause an elevation in the concentration of the intracellular redox-active iron in both the general and in the diabetic populations. The ratio of carriers (hetero- + homozygotes) of mutations for hereditary haemochromatosis may be as high as 30.4% in the general and 35.8% in the diabetic Hungarian populations. Some data support the possibility that these common forms of hereditary haemochromatosis mutation (HFE-C282Y and HFE-H63D)--even in the heterozygote form--elevate the tissue level of iron without manifesting the phenotype of classical hereditary haemochromatosis. Elevated tissue iron--in patients with already damaged organs due to other diseases e.g. diabetes mellitus--may cause a progression of the complications. On the other hand, hereditary haemochromatosis may lead to endothelial damage and this way hypertension may precede the manifestation of diabetes mellitus. On the basis of these, it may be supposed that elevation of blood pressure should be taken into consideration as one of the earliest clinical symptoms of hereditary haemochromatosis. A therapy-resistant state caused by the hereditary haemochromatosis may be found in diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

[Search for mitochondrial DNA T4291C mutation in Hungarian patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Mitokondriális DNS T4291C mutáció vizsgálata metabolikus szindrómában szenvedo betegekben.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome affects 15-30 percentage of the population. It is characterized by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. AIMS: In a recent study metabolic syndrome was shown to be transmitted on maternal lineage in a large family; an uridine to cytidine transition was detected in homoplasmic form at position 4291 of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which affects the 5' neighboring nucleotide to the anticodon of the isoleucine-tRNA. METHODS: Using specific restriction analysis and direct sequencing for detection of this mutation the authors genotyped 365 DNA samples which were collected from 164 adult and 119 pediatric patients with metabolic syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The T4291C mtDNA variant could not be detected in any of these patients suggesting that this alteration is likely rare in the Hungarian metabolic syndrome population.

Serum carboxymethyllysine predicts mortality in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis patients show markedly elevated serum levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular damage and are regarded as a class of uremic toxins. However, to date, serum AGE level could not be identified as an independent predictor of mortality. The aim of the present study is to test whether serum level of the AGE carboxymethyllysine (CML) predicts all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Serum total CML concentration was measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 154 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis. Patients were divided into groups with serum CML levels less and greater than the median (23.8 ng/mg protein). All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were registered during a follow-up of 51 months. The relationship between serum CML level and mortality was tested by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: In the group with low serum CML levels, 38% of patients died during the follow-up period; 23% had a cardiovascular cause of death. However, in the group with high CML levels, 58% died (P < 0.01) and 36% had a cardiovascular cause of death (P < 0.05). The following parameters proved to be independent risk factors of all-cause mortality: age (hazard ratio, 1.056; P < 0.001), preexisting vascular disease (hazard ratio, 2.53; P < 0.05), smoking (hazard ratio, 3.03; P < 0.005), high serum CML level (hazard ratio, 1.776; P < 0.05), and C-reactive protein level (hazard ratio, 1.017; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The AGE CML may contribute to increased mortality in patients with uremia.

Urinary ortho-tyrosine excretion in diabetes mellitus and renal failure: evidence for hydroxyl radical production.

BACKGROUND: Phenylalanine is converted to para- and ortho-tyrosine by hydroxyl free radical, or to para-tyrosine by the phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme. The aim of this study was to measure para- and ortho-tyrosine in the urine and plasma of patients with chronic renal disease and/or diabetes, to obtain information on the renal handling of the different tyrosine isomers and, furthermore, to measure urinary levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin-F(2alpha), a marker of lipid peroxidation. METHODS: In our cross-sectional study we measured para-, ortho-tyrosine, and phenylalanine levels, using high performance liquid chromatography and 8-epi-prostaglandin-F(2alpha) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We compared 4 groups: (1) controls (CONTR, N = 14), (2) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD, N = 12), (3) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DIAB, N = 17), (4) patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes (DIAB-CKD, N = 19). RESULTS: We found a decreased plasma para-tyrosine level and decreased urinary para-tyrosine excretion in CKD patients, while the fractional excretion of para-tyrosine was similar in all 4 groups, approximately 1%. There was no difference in the plasma ortho-tyrosine levels between the groups. However, urinary ortho-tyrosine excretion was higher in all 3 groups of patients than in the CONTR group, and higher in DIAB and in DIAB-CKD patients than in CKD patients. The fractional excretion of ortho-tyrosine was significantly higher in DIAB and in DIAB-CKD patients than in the CONTR group. The fractional excretion of ortho-tyrosine exceeded 100% in the 2 diabetic groups. Urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin-F(2alpha)/creatinine ratio did not correlate with urinary ortho-tyrosine excretion. CONCLUSION: The difference between para-tyrosine levels of the groups is probably due to renal impairment, while there is indirect evidence for an increased tubular secretion or production of ortho-tyrosine in the kidney in diabetic patients with or without CKD.

Prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Increasing number of diabetic patients develop different stages of renal failure. However, often an inappropriate parameter, the serum creatinine is measured as a marker of glomerular function. Calculated glomerular filtration rate or endogenous creatinine clearance are suggested to be used for the estimation of the glomerular function. Important structures preventing proteinuria in the kidney are glomerular basement membrane, podocytes and proximal tubular cells. In diabetes mellitus loss of nephrin of podocytes can play a role in the development of microalbuminuria, and podocyte desquamation may result in the progression to proteinuria. In diabetes mellitus there is an increased formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE), of which the only elimination organ is the kidney. The AGE induce proteinuria and atherosclerosis. Therefore, in diabetes mellitus a vicious circle develops due to proteinuria, nephron loss and accumulation of AGE, which play a role in the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers having antiproteinuric effect may decrease the risk of diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis. Improvement of carbohydrate metabolism with a consequential decrease in the formation of AGE is an important contributor to the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis.