[Mechanisms of cordycepin on improving renal interstitial fibrosis via regulating eIF2α/TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin,an effective component of cordyceps militaris, on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and its related eIF2α/TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway. METHOD: Firstly, 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group (Group A), the model group (Group B) and the cordycepin-treated group (Group C). After renal interstitial fibrotic model was successfully established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the mice in Group C were intraperitoneally administrated with cordycepin(5 mg x kg(-1) d(-1)) and the ones in Group A and B were administrated with physiological saline for 5 days. At the end of the study, the obstructed kidneys were collected and detected for the pathological changes of RIF, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney by Northern blot. Secondly, after renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells cultured in vitro were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF) -ß with or without cordycepin, the mRNA expressions of Col I and collagen type IV( Col IV) by Northern blot, and the protein expressions of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α ( p-eIF2α), Smad2/3 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were tested by Western blot. RESULT: In vivo, cordycepin alleviated RIF in model mice, including improving fibrotic pathological characteristics and mRNA expressions of Col I and α-SMA. In vitro, cordycepin induced the high expression of p-elF2α, and inhibited the expressions of p-Smad2/3, Col I and Col IV induced by TGF-ß in NRK-52E cells. CONCLUSION: Cordycepin attenuates RIF in vivo and in vitro, probably by inducing the phosphorylation of eIF2α, suppressing the expression of p-Smad2/3, a key signaling molecule in TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway, and reducing the expressions of collagens and α-SMA in the kidney.

Situational Analysis of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Control and the Use of Statin Therapy in Diabetes Patients Treated in Community Hospitals in Nanjing, China.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive management of diabetes should include management of its comorbid conditions, especially cardiovascular complications, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes. Dyslipidemia is a comorbid condition of diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Therefore, lipid level management is a key of managing patients with diabetes successfully. However, it is not clear that how well dyslipidemia is managed in patients with diabetes in local Chinese health-care communities. This study aimed to assess how well low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was managed in Nanjing community hospitals, China. METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 7364 diabetic patients who were treated in eleven community hospitals in Nanjing from October 2005 to October 2014. Information regarding LDL-C level, cardiovascular risk factors, and use of lipid-lowering agents were collected. RESULTS: In patients without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 92.1% had one or more CVD risk factors, and the most common CVD risk factor was dyslipidemia. The overall average LDL-C level was 2.80 ± 0.88 mmol/L, which was 2.62 ± 0.90 mmol/L and 2.82 ± 0.87 mmol/L in patients with and without CVD history respectively. Only 38% of all patients met the target goal and 37.3% of patients who took lipid-lowering agents met target goal. Overall, 24.5% of all patients were on lipid-lowering medication, and 36.3% of patients with a CVD history and 20.9% of patients without CVD history took statins for LDL-C management. The mean statin dosage was 13.9 ± 8.9 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small portion of patients achieved target LDL-C level, and the rate of using statins to control LDL-C was low. Managing LDL-C with statins in patients with diabetes should be promoted, especially in patients without a CVD history and with one or more CVD risk factors.

[The medical cost of diabetic patients with foot problems due to peripheral artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the medical cost of diabetic patients with foot problems and peripheral artery disease. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic patients with foot problems admitted into the endocrinology departments of 14 teaching hospitals from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2004 were surveyed for their type and phase of foot ulcers, diabetic complications, medical cost and general personal characteristics. RESULTS: The average medical cost of the hospitalization of these patients was RMB yen 14,906 +/- 7072 (about US $ 1640 +/- 873); medication and examination cost was separately 56% and 19% of the total cost. There was obviously higher medical cost for these patients with longer diabetes duration of over 20 years and with the occupation of laborer and retired worker. Patients with kidney disease had significantly higher medical cost than those without (RMB yen 11 690.7 vs yen 9493.0; P = 0.0013), even if the hospital stay was nearly the same (21 days vs 20 days). The medical cost increase with the severity of diabetic foot problems based on the classification of Wagner System or Texas System. Patients with infection, ischemic foot and gangrene foot stayed in the hospitals longer and had much higher medical cost. CONCLUSION: The medical cost is higher for diabetic patients with foot problems and is related with the presence of complicating kidney disease, infection and ischemia as well as the severity of foot ulcers.

[A multicenter survey on the diabetic foot and its neuropathy in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of diabetic foot with neuropathy and its related factors. METHODS: 530 out- and in-patients in 14 grade A class 3 comprehensive hospitals in China with foot problems were surveyed. 337 of the 500 patients (63.58%) suffered from neuropathy, 172 (32.45%) with diabetic foot with simple neuropathy and 165 (31.13%) with simple neuropathy combined with peripheral artery disease (PAD). 193 of the 500 patients (36.42%) suffered from peripheral artery disease (PAD). 77.7% of ulcer were caused by physical factors. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the demographic data, present and past history, history of the hyperglycemia and lipid disorders, classification and phases of the foot ulcers based on Wagner' system and Texas system, characteristics of neuropathy and other diabetic complications, and relative risk factors. Detailed physical examination was performed, including 10 g nylon filament sensation examination. RESULTS: The duration of diabetic foot of the patients with simple neuropathy was 3 (1, 60) months, significantly shorter than that of the diabetic foot patients with PAD [5 (1, 96) months, P < 0.001]. The Wagner degree of ulcer was related to the duration of diabetes, economic income, foot deformity, nerve reflection, diapason vibration sensation of foot, sensation point of 10 g nylon filament, ankle/brachial index (ABI), foot artery pulse, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that ABI of left posterior tibial artery, vibration detection threshold and economic income were the most significant influencing factors of the degree of ulcer. CONCLUSION: Neuropathy ulcer is common in diabetic foot patients. The prognosis of healing in diabetic foot with neuropathy is prior to that of diabetic foot with PAD. The neuropathy and PAD of foot influence each other and aggravate the condition of diabetic foot. The examinations of diapason vibration sensation of foot, sensation point of 10 g nylon filament, and Achilles tendon reflex are simple and practical, and are worth recommending.

[Differences in risk factors of diabetic foot in the patients in South and North China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences on the diabetic foot problems and its risk factors in south and north of China. METHODS: Patients with foot problems were surveyed from January 1 to December 31, 2004 in 14 teaching hospitals located in different cities in China, including demographic data, present and past history of the foot problems and peripheral artery disease (PAD), the classification of the foot ulcers based on the Wagner' system, control of the hyperglycemia and lipids disorder, medical cost in hospital and the diabetic complications. All the patients were divided into two groups due to their geographical data, south and north. RESULTS: There were 285 and 349 patients for the group south and group north. No significant differences were found for duration of diabetes or foot problems, fasting or post-meal glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, and the numbers of patients with smoke, hypertension, nephropathy or neuropathy between the two groups. There were significant differences for the age (70 yrs vs 66 yrs), percentage of the patients with average person income with over RMB 1000 per month (57.7% vs 45.6%), coronary heart disease (42.6% vs 61.0%) and retinopathy (35.7% vs 49.5%), HbA1c (7.90% vs 8.80 %), LDL-C (2.75 mmol/L vs 2.98 mmol/L), WBC (6.70 x 10(9) vs 7.40 x 10(9)/L), HCT (0.37 vs 0.38), creatinine (87 micromol/L vs 76 micromol/L) and uric acid (333 mmol/L vs 271 mmol/L), and amputation rate (2.6% vs 9.7%) between south and north groups. Logistic analysis showed that severity of the foot problems was associated with ABI and WBC in south group, and with ABI, PLT and HCT in north group. CONCLUSION: Diabetic foot problems were more severe, with more risk factors and with more medical cost in north patients.

Investigation into knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding medical nutrition therapy among patients with diabetes in China: Results from a national multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) associated with medical nutrition therapy (MNT) among Chinese adult patients with diabetes and prediabetes. METHODS: From May to August 2014, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 40 hospitals across China. The KAP of respondents was investigated through a pretested structured questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected, and KAP scores were recorded according to patient responses. RESULTS: In all, responses from 7017 of 7508 patients were analyzed. The mean (±SD) overall KAP score was 9.63 ± 3.46, with individual scores for the K, A, and P components being 2.69 ± 1.90, 1.77 ± 1.99, and 5.17 ± 1.99, respectively (out of possible total scores of 19, 6, 3, and 10, respectively). All scores were higher in respondents who received ≥15 min MNT education than in those with shorter sessions. Patients with higher KAP scores exhibited significantly better glycemic control, with a higher proportion achieving target HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels (P < 0.05). "Health publicity in hospitals" and "expert outpatient services" were the most favorable means of acquiring MNT information. The two predominant concerns associated with MNT were "the feasibility" and "the authenticity and professionalism of the information". CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes and prediabetes achieved moderate scores for KAP towards MNT. Glycemic control was positively correlated with the KAP score. Thus, MNT education should be improved, with a particular focus on feasibility and authenticity and professionalism, in China.

[Familial pedigree analysis of Shen-yin deficiency syndrome in families with type 2 diabetes mellitus GU].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the familial aggregation and genetic predisposition of Shen-yin deficiency syndrome (SYDS) in families with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Methods One hundred and forty-one DM2 patients were collected from 32 family lines in Nanjin area, in which the probands were differentiated as DM2 with SYDS. On them, genetic analysis on the characteristics of SYDS was conducted using pedigree analysis, morbidity and heritability of the first-degree relatives of the probands were calculated, and the action of familial SYDS factor on the genesis of the syndrome was assessed by multiple factors regression analysis. Results The morbidity rate of SYDS in the first-degree relatives of the probands was 33.71%, and the heritability, calculated by Falconer formula, was 80.6%. The fitting result of regression analysis showed that familial factor played an important role in SYDS genesis (OR = 5.61, P = 0.001), but DM2 itself is not an independent risk factor for it. Conclusion DM2 with SYDS shows the tendency of familial aggregation and genetic predisposition, genetic factor is associated with the genesis of the syndrome. Pedigree research is a good method for exploring the relationship between syndrome and genetic factor.

Validity of glycated hemoglobin in screening and diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese subjects.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The application of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) for the diagnosis of diabetes is currently under extensive discussion. In this study, we explored the validity of using HbA(1c) as a screening and diagnostic test in Chinese subjects recruited in Nanjing, China. METHODS: In total, 497 subjects (361 men and 136 women) with fasting plasma glucose (PG) ≥ 5.6 mmol/L were recruited to undergo the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HbA(1c) test. Plasma lipid, uric acid, and blood pressure were also measured. RESULTS: Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff point of HbA(1c) related to diabetes diagnosed by the OGTT was 6.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.6% and 82.2%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 0.92). A HbA(1c) level of 6.5% had a sensitivity and specificity of 62.7% and 93.5%, respectively. When comparing the HbA(1c) ≥ 6.5% or OGTT methods for diagnosing diabetes, the former group had significantly higher HbA(1c) levels and lower levels of fasting and 2-hour PG than the latter group. No significant difference was observed in the other metabolism indexes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HbA(1c) ≥ 6.5% has reasonably good specificity for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects, which is in concordance with the American Diabetes Association recommendations.

Chronic kidney disease and associated cardiovascular risk factors in chinese with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated risk factors in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Nanjing, China, in the period between January 2008 and December 2009. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes under the care by Jiangsu Province Official Hospital, Nanjing, China were invited for assessment. CKD was defined as the presence of albuminuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. RESULTS: We recruited 1,521 urban Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age, 63.9±12.0 years). The frequency of CKD and albuminuria was 31.0% and 28.9%, respectively. After adjusted by age and sex, hypertension, anemia and duration of diabetes were significantly associated with CKD with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) being 1.93 (1.28 to 2.93), 1.70 (1.09 to 2.64), and 1.03 (1.00 to 1.06), respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CKD was common in the urban Nanjing Chinese with type 2 diabetes. Strategies to prevent or delay progression of kidney disease in diabetes should be carried out at the early disease course of type 2 diabetes.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire in patients with both peripheral arterial disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of present study is to translate and validate a Chinese version of the WIQ in patients with PAD and T2DM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. After translation, a convenience sample of 59 patients with PAD and T2DM completed the Chinese WIQ, the Chinese SF-36 and the 6MWT. The ICC and Cronbach's alpha were calculated to determine the reliability and internal consistency, respectively.Validity was evaluated by correlation coefficients between WIQ, SF-36 and 6MWD. The internal consistency determined by Cronbach's alpha was 0.93. Test-retest reliability expressed by ICC was 0.93. Significant correlations were observed between WIQ, SF-36 and 6MWD (ρ (s) =0.27 ∼0.88, p < 0.01).The Chinese version of the WIQ has satisfactory reliability and validity and can be used to assess walking ability in type 2 diabetic PAD patients.