L-Arginine-Dependent Nitric Oxide Production in the Blood of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot, Five-Year Prospective Study.

: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the many molecules that regulate vascular tone, and red blood cells (RBCs) are known to play an important role in adjusting cardiac function through NO export from RBCs. Our study prospectively investigated the L-arginine (L-arg)-nitric oxide (NO) metabolic pathway in the erythrocytes and plasma of subjects with T2DM.

Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders.

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects. Used for millennia in traditional herbalism, medicinal plants are a promising alternative, with lower rate of adverse events and efficiency frequently comparable with that of conventional drugs.

A study of antioxidant activity in patients with schizophrenia taking atypical antipsychotics.

Introduction: Atypical antipsychotics have significantly improved the quality of life for schizophrenic patients. Despite their beneficial effects, these antipsychotics induce weight gain, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The aims of this study were to investigate the antioxidative activity of paraoxonase and assess lipid profile as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with schizophrenia under long-term clozapine or risperidone treatment.

L-arginine catabolism is driven mainly towards nitric oxide synthesis in the erythrocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes at first clinical onset.

Background: We investigated the l-arginine (l-Arg)-nitric oxide (NO) metabolic pathway in the erythrocytes (RBCs) and plasma of subjects with type 2 diabetes at first clinical onset.

Methods: RBCs and plasma were collected from 26 patients with type 2 diabetes at first clinical onset and 19 age-matched non-diabetes subjects as controls. l-Arg content was assayed by capillary electrophoresis.

Paraoxonase lactonase activity, inflammation and antioxidant status in plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To investigate paraoxonase-1 (PON1) lactonase activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (as a marker of inflammation) and antioxidant status in plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Whole blood and plasma samples were collected from patients with diabetes and healthy control subjects. PON1 lactonase and MPO activities and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were determined in plasma.

Erythrocyte caspase-3 and antioxidant defense is activated in red blood cells and plasma of type 2 diabetes patients at first clinical onset.

Objectives: We studied erythrocyte (RBC) caspase-3 activity and oxidative status in plasma and RBCs of 33 patients with type 2 diabetes at first clinical onset and 23 age-matched non-diabetes control subjects.

Methods: Caspase-3 activity was assayed during the life span of RBCs; lipid peroxides and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were assessed in plasma and RBCs as indicators of oxidative stress and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense; and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured in RBCs as enzymatic antioxidants.

Results: We found that, compared to controls, RBCs caspase-3 is activated early in type 2 diabetes (P < 0.