Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP)-4 Inhibitors and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, a DPP-4 Substrate, Extend Neurite Outgrowth of Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons: A Promising Approach in Diabetic Polyneuropathy Treatment.

Individuals suffering from diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) experience debilitating symptoms such as pain, paranesthesia, and sensory disturbances, prompting a quest for effective treatments. Dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, recognized for their potential in ameliorating DPN, have sparked interest, yet the precise mechanism underlying their neurotrophic impact on the peripheral nerve system (PNS) remains elusive. Our study delves into the neurotrophic effects of DPP-4 inhibitors, including Diprotin A, linagliptin, and sitagliptin, alongside pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), Neuropeptide Y (NPY), and Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1a-known DPP-4 substrates with neurotrophic properties.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming induce macrophage pro-inflammatory phenotype switch and atherosclerosis progression in aging.

Introduction: Aging increases the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease and its complications. Macrophages are pivotal in the pathogenesis of vascular aging, driving inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. NOX4 (NADPH oxidase 4) expression increases with age, correlating with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.

A case of Schnitzler syndrome with unusual immunoglobulin A gammopathy exacerbated by COVID-19 infection.

Schnitzler syndrome (SchS) is a rare autoinflammatory disease characterized by chronic urticarial rash and monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgG gammopathy. Viruses, including COVID-19, activate the innate immune system, therefore SchS, in which the innate immune system is improperly activated, is hypothesized to be exacerbated by viral infection. However, there were no reported SchS cases exacerbated by any viral infection.

The efficacy of switching basal-bolus insulin therapy to basal insulin-supported oral therapy with a glinide and an α-glucosidase inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes depends on insulin secretory capacity, but not on blood glucose profiles and insulin dosages prior to the switching.

Aims: We aimed to identify patients who would benefit from basal insulin-supported oral therapy (BOT) with a glinide and an α-glucosidase inhibitor (a fixed-dose combination tablet of mitiglinide 10 mg and voglibose 0.2 mg) in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Patients who were hospitalized to improve hyperglycemia received basal-bolus insulin therapy.

Exploratory study on quantitative assessment of skin hardness in patients with systemic sclerosis using SOFTGRAM.

Objectives: There is a lack of quantitative and objective methods for measuring skin hardness. This study aimed to verify whether SOFTGRAM, a device that can measure elastic modulus using the Hertz elastic contact theory, could be used to evaluate skin hardness in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Skin score according to the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score and elastic modulus of the skin using SOFTGRAM were measured for 20 patients with SSc and 20 healthy controls on 8 parts of the body, both of the cheeks, forearms, fingers, and hands.