Inhibition of STAT3 in tubular epithelial cells prevents kidney fibrosis and nephropathy in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Recent evidences indicate that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is one of the crucial signaling pathways in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Here, we investigated the hypothesis that pharmacological blockade of STAT3 limits the progression of DN. Treatment with selective STAT3 inhibitor, S3I-201 for 16 weeks significantly attenuated kidney injuries in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice, associated with downregulated expression of TGF-β1, ACE/AT1, and VEGF in diabetic mouse kidneys.

Inhibition of EGFR-STAT3 attenuates cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes.

Emerging evidence implicates elevated activity of STAT3 transcription factor in driving the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). We hypothesized that the fibrosis-promoting and hypertrophic actions of STAT3 are linked to the activation by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We tested this hypothesis by challenging cultured cardiomyocytes to high-concentration glucose and heart tissues of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice.

11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1(11β-HSD1) mediates insulin resistance through JNK activation in adipocytes.

Glucocorticoids are used to treat a number of human diseases but often lead to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the intracellular conversion of cortisone to physiologically active cortisol. Despite the known role of 11β-HSD1 and active glucocorticoid in causing insulin resistance, the molecular mechanisms by which insulin resistance is induced remain elusive.

Association of SLC30A8 gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes, evidence from 46 studies: a meta-analysis.

The solute carrier family 30 member 8 (SLC30A8) gene may be involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through disrupting β-cell function. The aim of this study was to assess the association between SLC30A8 rs13266634 polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM. We searched all reports regarding the association between SLC30A8 rs13266634 polymorphism and T2DM risk through Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for English language reports and Chongqing VIP database, Wanfang data, CBMDisc, and CNKI for Chinese language studies.

Efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) for patients with heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search for controlled studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of MRAs in patients with DM and HF. Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched.

Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor κB-dependent inflammation by a novel chalcone protects the kidney from high fat diet-induced injuries in mice.

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide leading to increases in obesity-related complications, such as obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG). Obesity is a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, and increased inflammation in the adipose and kidney tissues has been shown to promote the progression of renal damage in obesity. Current therapeutic options for ORG are fairly limited and, as a result, we are seeing increased rates of progression to end-stage renal disease.

Attenuation of inflammatory response by a novel chalcone protects kidney and heart from hyperglycemia-induced injuries in type 1 diabetic mice.

High glucose-induced inflammatory response in diabetic complications plays an important role in disease occurrence and development. With inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways as important mediators, targeting inflammation may be a new avenue for treating diabetic complications. Chalcones are a class of natural products with various pharmacological activities.