Plasma nesfatin-1 level is associated with severity of depression in Chinese depressive patients.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1 plays a role in the regulation of emotional states like depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma nesfatin-1levels in Chinese patients with depression and healthy subjects, and to determine the possible association between the plasma nesfatin-1 level and the severity of depression. METHODS: A total of 103 depressive patients and 32 healthy subjects were assessed. According to HAMD-17scores, 51, 18, and 34 patients were enrolled in the mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression groups, respectively. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were determined by the ELISA method. Differences between groups were compared and associations between plasma nesfatin-1 and other variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The plasma nesfatin-1 was significantly positively correlated with HAMD-17 score (r = 0.651). Compared with healthy controls (8.11 ± 3.31 ng/mL), the plasma nesfatin-1 level significantly increased in patients with mild depression (11.17 ± 3.58 ng/mL), with moderate depression (16.33 ± 8.78 ng/mL), and with severe depression (27.65 ± 8.26 ng/mL) respectively. Plasma nesfatin-1 level (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.269) was an independent indicator for severe depression by multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The plasma nesfatin-1 level is positively correlated with the severity of depression. Plasma nesfatin-1 level may be a potential indicator for depression severity.

PGE1 improves diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common chronic complication of diabetes. We aim to investigate the efficacy of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) treatment in addition to intensive insulin therapy on DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with DPN received daily intravenous injection of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in lipid microspheres (Lipo-PGE1) for 10days as an additional therapy to standard glucose control therapy (PGE1 group). Another 42 patients with DPN receiving only standard glucose control therapy (intensive insulin therapy) acted as a control group. Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI) score, neurophysiology examination, transcutaneous oxygen sensory threshold, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured to evaluate the efficacy of PGE1 treatment as compared with control group. RESULTS: Standard glucose control therapy decreased plasma glucose to a similar level in both PGE1 and control groups. Compare to control group, PGE1 group displayed improvement in several nerve electrophysiological indexes. MNSI score was significantly improved in patients who received PGE1 treatment compared with the control group (p<0.001) after 10days of PGE1 treatment. Similarly, nerve conduction velocity and foot sensory thresholds (p<0.05 for all) also significantly improved compared with the control group after 10days of PGE1 treatment. However, only intensive insulin therapy did not improve any neural function. CONCLUSIONS: Lipo-PGE1 can effectively improve neural function of patients with DPN.

[The association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 594 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled from the inpatients of the Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Hospital. Fasting serum lipid profile, 25-hydroxycalciferol vitamin D and urinary albumin excretion rate were investigated. The relationship between nephropathy and vitamin D deficiency ( < 20 µg/L) or insufficiency (20-<30 µg/L) was analyzed. RESULTS: Nephropathy was found in 177 subjects (29.8%) with albuminuria in 141 and proteinuria in 36 subjects. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 180 subjects and insufficiency in 157 subjects. The proportion of vitamin D deficiency was higher in the individuals with nephropathy than those without nephropathy (36.2% vs 27.8%, P < 0.05). The urinary albumin excretion rate was significantly higher in the patients with vitamin D deficiency than those with normal vitamin D concentration [(123.0 ± 299.2) mg/24h vs (47.6 ± 97.1) mg/24h, P < 0.01]. The prevalence of nephropathy was higher in the patients with vitamin D deficiency than those with normal vitamin D concentration (35.6% vs 26.1%, P < 0.05), while the prevalence of proteinuria was higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency (12.2% vs 3.1%, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was associated with nephropathy (OR 1.57, 95%CI 1.04-2.37), even after the adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.12-2.81). The Vitamin D concentration was significantly negatively correlated with urinary albumin excretion rate (r = -1.783, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetic patients have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with diabetic nephropathy.

[Macroscopic and microscopic identification of Zhuang medicine Tetrastigma planicaule].

OBJECTIVE: To study the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Zhuang medicine Tetrastigma planicaule. METHODS: Macroscopic and microscopic identification were studied. RESULTS: The microscopic characteristics were significant. The root had more than 10 layers of cork cells arranging in line. The starch grain and calcium oxalate cluster crystals distributed in the phloem parenchymas, and mucilage cells scattered in the cortex of the stem. There were 8 vascular bundles in the vein of leaves. CONCLUSION: This study provides a scientific basis for the identification and utilizing of Tetrastigma planicaule.

Real-Time Flash Glucose Monitoring Had Better Effects on Daily Glycemic Control Compared With Retrospective Flash Glucose Monitoring in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Premix Insulin Therapy.

Background and Aims: To compare the effects of real-time and retrospective flash glucose monitoring (FGM) on daily glycemic control and lifestyle in patients with type 2 diabetes on premix insulin therapy. Methods and Results: A total of 172 patients using premix insulin, with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% (56 mmol/mol), or the time below the target (TBR) ≥ 4%, or the coefficient of variation (CV) ≥36% during the screening period, were randomly assigned to retrospective FGM (n = 89) or real-time FGM group (n = 83). Another two retrospective or real-time 14-day FGMs were performed respectively, 1 month apart. Both groups received educations and medication adjustment after each FGM. Time in range (3.9~10.0 mmol/l, TIR) increased significantly after 3 months in the real-time FGM group (6.5%) compared with the retrospective FGM group (-1.1%) (p = 0.014). HbA1c decreased in both groups (both p < 0.01). Real-time FGMs increased daily exercise time compared with the retrospective group (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Real-time FGM with visible blood glucose improves daily glycemic control and diabetes self-care behaviors better than retrospective FGM in patients with type 2 diabetes on premix insulin therapy. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT04847219.

Association of Acarbose with Decreased Muscle Mass and Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of sarcopenia has increased in patients with type 2 diabetes. The influence of glucose-lowering drugs on muscles in these patients remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between muscle mass/function and glucose-lowering drugs. METHODS: Data of 1042 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. All the patients had stable hypoglycemic therapy in the last 3 months, and performed bioelectrical impedance analysis, grip strength, and gait speed tests on admission. RESULTS: Skeletal muscle index [6.81 (95% CI 6.67, 6.94) vs. 7.17 (7.09, 7.24) kg/m2], handgrip strength [23.41 (22.24, 24.58) vs. 26.93 (26.33, 27.54) kg], and gait speed [1.19 (1.15, 1.22) vs. 1.27 (1.25, 1.28) m/s] decreased in patients using acarbose compared with the others (all p < 0.001). Gait speed and skeletal muscle index remained lower in patients using acarbose compared to their matched patients in propensity score matching (p = 0.036 and 0.010, respectively). Among drug-naïve patients and patients using insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or acarbose monotherapy, the acarbose group had lowest skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength [6.81 (6.52, 7.11) kg/m2 and 22.54 (19.28, 25.79) kg, p = 0.028 and 0.001, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Acarbose treatment was associated with decreased muscle mass and strength. Assessment and exercise of muscles in patients with long-term acarbose treatment should be considered.

Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 52-Week Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycemic drugs affect the bone quality and the risk of fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and insulin on bone mineral density (BMD) in T2DM. METHODS: In this single-blinded study, a total of 65 patients with T2DM were randomly assigned into four groups for 52 weeks: the exenatide group (n = 19), dulaglutide group (n = 19), insulin glargine group (n = 10), and placebo (n = 17). General clinical data were collected, and BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased significantly in the exenatide (8.11 ± 0.24% vs. 7.40 ± 0.16%, P = 0.007), dulaglutide (8.77 ± 0.37% vs. 7.06 ± 0.28%, P < 0.001), and insulin glargine (8.57 ± 0.24% vs. 7.23 ± 0.25%, P < 0.001) groups after treatment. In the exenatide group, the BMD of the total hip increased. In the dulaglutide group, only the BMD of the femoral neck decreased (P = 0.027), but the magnitude of decrease was less than that in the placebo group; the BMD of L1-L4, femoral neck, and total hip decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the placebo group, while in the insulin glargine group, the BMD of L2, L4, and L1-4 increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the BMD of the femoral neck and total hip in the exenatide group and the insulin glargine group were increased significantly (P < 0.05); compared with the exenatide group, the BMD of L4 in the insulin glargine group was also increased (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the placebo, GLP-1RAs demonstrated an increase of BMD at multiple sites of the body after treatment, which may not exacerbate the consequences of bone fragility. Therefore, GLP-1RAs might be considered for patients with T2DM. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01648582.

Effects of Dapagliflozin Adjunct to Insulin on Glycemic Variations in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Labeled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at investigating whether dapagliflozin adjunct to insulin therapy further improves glycemic control compared to insulin therapy alone in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: This single-centre, randomized, controlled, open-labeled trial recruited newly diagnosed T2D patients. Subjects were randomized 1 : 1 to the dapagliflozin add-on to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) group (DAPA) or the CSII therapy group for 5 weeks. Standard meal tests were performed 3 times at days -3, 7, and 35 for glucose, C-peptide, and insulin level determination. Two-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed at baseline and at the end of the study. The primary endpoint was the difference in the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGEs) between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 66 subjects completed the study, with 34 and 32 patients in the DAPA and CSII groups, respectively. Patients in the DAPA group exhibited significant decreases in MAGE levels at the endpoint. We also observed that patients in the DAPA group had a lower homoeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and a higher homoeostasis model assessment B (HOMA-B) value at 1 week and 5 weeks compared to those with insulin therapy, respectively. In addition, our data showed that patients in the DAPA group showed a significantly lower insulin dose (0.07 U/kg) and weighed less than those in the CSII group. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that dapagliflozin adjunct to insulin is a safe and effective therapy for improving glycemic variations, insulin sensitivity, and weight loss in newly diagnosed T2D patients.

Effects of saxagliptin add-on therapy to insulin on blood glycemic fluctuations in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, control, open-labeled trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether saxagliptin add-on therapy to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) further improve blood glycemic control than CSII therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: This was a single-center, randomized, control, open-labeled trial. Newly diagnosed T2D patients were recruited between February 2014 and December 2015. Subjects were divided into saxagliptin add-on therapy to CSII group (n = 31) and CSII therapy group (n = 38). The treatment was maintained for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at baseline. Serum samples were obtained before and 30 and 120 minutes after oral administration for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide determination. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed before and endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 69 subjects were admitted. After 4-week therapy, CGM data showed that patients with saxagliptin add-on therapy exhibited further improvement of mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE), the incremental area under curve of plasma glucose >7.8 and 10 mmol/L compared with that of control group. In addition, the hourly mean blood glucose concentrations, especially between 0000 and 0600 in patient with saxagliptin add-on therapy, were significantly lower compared with that of the control patients. Furthermore, patients in saxagliptin add-on group needed lower insulin dose to maintain euglycemic control. In addition, severe hypoglycemic episode was not observed from any group. CONCLUSION: Saxagliptin add-on therapy to insulin had the ability of further improve blood glycemic controlling, with lower insulin dose required by patients with T2D to maintain euglycemic controlling.