Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Plays as a Physiological Glucose Sensor and Regulates Cellular Contractility in Rat Mesangial Cells.

Purpose: Mesangial cells play an important role in regulating glomerular filtration by altering their cellular tone. We report the presence of a sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT) in rat mesangial cells. This study in rat mesangial cells aimed to evaluate the expression and role of SGLT2.

The relationship between IMPS-measured stress score and intraocular pressure among public school workers.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between psychosocial stress and intraocular pressure among apparently healthy subjects. Psychosocial stress among 1,461 public school workers (883 men and 578 women) was measured using the inventory to measure psychosocial stress (IMPS) and intraocular pressure was measured using a non-contact tonometer (Topcon CT-90). After controlling for the effects of likely confounding variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and exercise, partial correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were performed in order to test the hypothesis that IMPS-measured stress score was associated with intraocular pressure.

The relationship between IMPS-measured stress score and biomedical parameters regarding health status among public school workers.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the stress score measured using the Inventory to Measure Psychosocial Stress (IMPS) and biomedical parameters regarding health status among apparently healthy subjects in order to evaluate the validity of the IMPS. Out of the 1,941 public school workers in Kyushu and Okinawa, Japan, who were admitted to a hospital for medical check-ups, 1,499 workers responded to questionnaires which assessed the degree of stress response (i.e.

PPARgamma ligands attenuate mesangial contractile dysfunction in high glucose.

Background: To elucidate the regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and its roles in mesangial cells, we examined the expression of PPARgamma1 and effects of its ligands on cell phenotypes and angiotensin II-induced contractile response in cultured rat mesangial cells under a high (20 mmol/L) glucose condition.

Methods: The effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), protein kinase C (PKC) activation, antisense DNA for PPARgamma1, PPARgamma ligands and PD98059 were examined in mesangial cells cultured in either 5 mmol/L or 20 mmol/L glucose. The expressions of PPARgamma1 protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) as a marker of phenotype of cells were determined by Western blot.

Dilazep and fenofibric acid inhibit MCP-1 mRNA expression in glycoxidized LDL-stimulated human endothelial cells.

We previously reported that glycoxidized low-density lipoprotein (glycoxidized LDL) enhanced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Here we investigated the effects of dilazep, an anti-platelet agent, and fenofibric acid, an active metabolite of fenofibrate, on glycoxidized low-density lipoprotein-(LDL)-enhanced MCP-1 mRNA expression. Both 10 microg/ml dilazep and 100 microM fenofibric acid abrogated MCP-1 mRNA expression.

Risk factors for the progression of early carotid atherosclerosis in a male working population.

Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery may represent early atherosclerosis. Although several studies have evaluated risk factors for carotid IMT, only limited information is available concerning risk factors for the progression of carotid IMT. The present study was designed to determine risk factors for the progression of carotid IMT in a male working population.

Atherogenic role of lysophosphatidylcholine in low-density lipoprotein modified by phospholipase A2 and in diabetic patients: protection by nitric oxide donor.

The aim of our study was to investigate the atherogenic role of lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) under diabetic environment. Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)-DNA binding activity were determined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) incubated with native or glycoxidized LDL, LDL modified by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and LDL isolated from diabetic patients. Lyso-PC contents in LDL were measured using electrospray ionization-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (ESI-LC/MS).

Glycoxidized low-density lipoprotein enhances monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: relation to lysophosphatidylcholine contents and inhibition by nitric oxide donor.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may undergo more glycation or oxidation in patients with diabetes mellitus than in nondiabetic subjects. We investigated whether glycoxidized LDL (goLDL) induces monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB), and determined the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on MCP-1 mRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Oxidized (oxLDL) or goLDL enhanced MCP-1 mRNA expression in HUVEC, and preincubation with NOR3, a NO donor, abrogated such stimulation.