MicroRNA-1281 as a Novel Circulating Biomarker in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy.

Objective: Recently, the role of circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for the identification and monitoring of diabetes microvascular complications has emerged. Herein, we aimed to: identify circulating miRNAs differentially expressed in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR); examine their predictive value; and understand their pathogenic impact. Methods: Pooled serum samples from randomly selected matched patients with type 2 diabetes, either with or without DR, were used for initial serum miRNA profiling. Validation of the most relevant miRNAs was thereafter conducted by RT-qPCR in an extended sample of patients with DR and matched controls. Results: Following miRNA profiling, 43 miRNAs were significantly up- or down-regulated in patients with DR compared with controls. After individual validation, 5 miRNAs were found significantly overexpressed in patients with DR. One of them, miR-1281, was the most up-regulated and appeared to be specifically related to DR. Furthermore, secreted levels of miR-1281 were increased in high glucose-cultured retinal cells, and there was evidence of a potential link between glucose-induced miR-1281 up-regulation and DR. Conclusion: Our findings suggest miR-1281 as a circulating biomarker of DR. Also, they highlight the pathogenic significance of miR-1281, providing insights for a new potential target in treating DR.

The correct renal function evaluation in patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Thyroid dysfunction induces several renal derangements involving all nephron portions. Furthermore, dysthyroidism is a recognized risk factor associated with the development of chronic kidney disease. Current data, in fact, demonstrate that either subclinical or overt thyroid disease is associated with significant changes in creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, measured glomerular filtration rate and Cystatin C. Herein, we systematically reviewed several relevant studies aiming at the identification of the most sensitive and specific parameter for the correct renal function evaluation in patients with thyroid dysfunction, that are usually treated as outpatients. Our systematic review indicates that estimated glomerular filtration rate, preferably with CKD-EPI equation, appears to be the most reliable and wieldy renal function parameter. Instead, Cystatin C should be better used in the grading of thyroid dysfunction severity.

Add-On Treatment with Liraglutide Improves Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analog recently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus glimepiride, as adjunct treatments to metformin, in achieving glycemic control in Italian patients with T2DM uncontrolled by metformin alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine diabetes patients treated with metformin plus liraglutide (1.8 mg) or glimepiride (4 mg) were retrospectively assessed at baseline, during, and after 18 months of continuous therapy. RESULTS: Treatment with liraglutide resulted in mean decreases in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of -1.4%, when compared with glimepiride (-0.4%) (P < 0.001), and was followed by a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in fasting plasma glucose. Variations in HbA1c occurred independently from weight loss, which was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in liraglutide-treated patients. The percentage of subjects reaching HbA1c levels below 7% or ≤ 6.5% was significantly different between the two treated groups (P < 0.001). Treatment with liraglutide reduced waist circumference (WC) (P < 0.001) and decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (P < 0.001). It is interesting that the study also showed the impact of female gender in predicting a better glycemic response to liraglutide (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide was more effective than glimepiride in reducing HbA1c levels in treated patients with T2DM. This was evident in both genders, but particularly in women. Furthermore, liraglutide reduced body weight, WC, and BP, which are critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease.