Retrotransposons and Diabetes Mellitus.

Retrotransposons are invasive genetic elements, which replicate by copying and pasting themselves throughout the genome in a process called retrotransposition. The most abundant retrotransposons by number in the human genome are Alu and LINE-1 elements, which comprise approximately 40% of the human genome. The ability of retrotransposons to expand and colonize eukaryotic genomes has rendered them evolutionarily successful and is responsible for creating genetic alterations leading to significant impacts on their hosts.

Alu Methylation Patterns in Type 1 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study.

Evidence suggests that genome-wide hypomethylation may promote genomic instability and cellular senescence, leading to chronic complications in people with diabetes mellitus. Limited data are however available on the Alu methylation status in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). : We investigated DNA methylation levels and patterns of Alu methylation in the peripheral blood of 36 patients with T1D and 29 healthy controls, matched for age and sex, by using the COmbined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis method (COBRA).

Relationship between Indices of Vascular Function and Presence of Overt Cardiovascular Disease among Persons with Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with impaired vascular function in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (DM2) with and without overt cardiovascular disease (CVD). Ninety-five patients with DM2 and poor glycemic control were recruited and divided into two groups: Group 1, with known CVD ( = 38), and Group 2, without CVD ( = 57). Patients in Group 2 were further subdivided into those with short (<5 years, group 2b) and long (>5 years, group 2a) diabetes duration.

Effect of glycemic control on markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review.

Cardiovascular disease is the predominant cause of death in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Evidence suggests a strong association between duration and degree of hyperglycemia and vascular disease. However, large trials failed to show cardiovascular benefit after intensive glycemic control, especially in patients with longer diabetes duration.

Vascular effects following intensification of glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intensive antidiabetic therapy on vascular indices in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods: Poorly controlled T2DM patients (n = 62, mean age 64 years, T2DM duration 14 years, HbA1c ≥ 7.5%) were studied at baseline and following intensive treatment to achieve optimal glycemic control.

Association of fibroblast growth factor 21 with metabolic syndrome and endothelial function in children: a prospective cross-sectional study on novel biomarkers.

Purpose: Metabolic and cardiovascular disease prevention starting in childhood is critical for reducing morbidity later in life. In the present study, the association of novel biomarkers with metabolic syndrome (MS) and vascular function/structure indices of early atherosclerosis in children was investigated.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 78 children (8-16 years of age) grouped based on the presence or absence of MS.

The regulation of serum resistin levels in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese individuals.

Purpose: We have recently demonstrated that absolute counts of circulating proinflammatory monocytes were lower in obese patients without metabolic syndrome (MS) (metabolically healthy obese, MHO) compared with those with MS (metabolically unhealthy obese, MUO), but higher compared with healthy lean controls (MHL). We hypothesized that circulating resistin, a cytokine secreted by white blood cells (WBC), is involved in obesity-related low-grade inflammation. The aim of this study was to (a) determine serum resistin levels among MUO and MHO subjects and (b) investigate the role of circulating WBC subsets as potential determinants of resistin.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity: Criteria, Epidemiology, Controversies, and Consequences.

Purpose Of Review: To present a comprehensive overview regarding criteria, epidemiology, and controversies that have arisen in the literature about the existence and the natural course of the metabolic healthy phenotype.

Recent Findings: The concept of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) implies that a subgroup of obese individuals may be free of the cardio-metabolic risk factors that commonly accompany obese subjects with adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance, known as having metabolic syndrome or the metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) phenotype. Individuals with MHO appear to have a better adipose tissue function, and are more insulin sensitive, emphasizing the central role of adipose tissue function in metabolic health.

Improvement of metabolic control after 3-month use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes: a multicenter study in Greece.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) system added to insulin pump therapy for 3 months, in sub-optimally controlled adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D).

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized, post-market release study. A total of 43 adult patients with T1D on insulin pump therapy and inadequate glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.

A modified flow cytometry method for objective estimation of human CD4 regulatory T cells (CD4 Tregs) in peripheral blood, via CD4/CD25/CD45RO/FoxP3 labeling.

Background: Several methods exist for flow-cytometric estimation of human peripheral blood CD4 T regulatory cells (CD4 Tregs).

Methods: We report our experience with the estimation of human CD4 Tregs via three different characterizations using flow cytometry (CD25 FoxP3 , CD25 CD127 FoxP3 , and CD4 CD25 CD45ROFoxP3 ) in normal subjects. We have used these methods on the control populations from two studies (32 and 36 subjects, respectively), the latter two methods retrospectively on the subjects of the first study.

Fine-scale haplotype mapping of MUT, AACS, SLC6A15 and PRKCA genes indicates association with insulin resistance of metabolic syndrome and relationship with branched chain amino acid metabolism or regulation.

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential elements of the human diet, which display increased plasma levels in obesity and regained particular interest as potential biomarkers for development of diabetes. To define determinants of insulin resistance (IR) we investigated 73 genes involved in BCAA metabolism or regulation by fine-scale haplotype mapping in two European populations with metabolic syndrome. French and Romanians (n = 465) were genotyped for SNPs (Affymetrix) and enriched by imputation (BEAGLE 4.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity Is Characterized by a Proinflammatory Phenotype of Circulating Monocyte Subsets.

Obesity is associated with macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue that induces insulin resistance and contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether circulating monocyte subsets (macrophage precursors) differ among obese subjects with MS [metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO)], obese subjects without MS [metabolically healthy obese (MHO)], and metabolically healthy lean (MHL) individuals. Fifty-eight obese (33 MUO, 25 MHO) and 25 MHL individuals participated in the study.

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Database Integrated in MEDIPAD Software as a Tool for Nutritional Investigation of Mediterranean Populations.

Branched-chained amino acids (BCAA) are essential dietary components for humans and can act as potential biomarkers for diabetes development. To efficiently estimate dietary intake, we developed a BCAA database for 1331 food items found in the French Centre d'Information sur la Qualité des Aliments (CIQUAL) food table by compiling BCAA content from international tables, published measurements, or by food similarity as well as by calculating 267 items from Greek, Turkish, Romanian, and Moroccan mixed dishes. The database embedded in MEDIPAD software capable of registering 24 h of dietary recalls (24HDR) with clinical and genetic data was evaluated based on archived 24HDR of the Saint Pierre Institute (France) from 2957 subjects, which indicated a BCAA content up to 4.

TCF7L2 gene variants predispose to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus among individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene variants rs12255372 and rs7903146 have been consistently shown to raise genetic risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of these variants in the development of impaired glucose metabolism (IGM), including impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or T2DM, in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Patients And Methods: The study population consisted of 228 patients with MS who were divided into two groups.

The Role of Insulin Resistance/Hyperinsulinism on the Rising Trend of Thyroid and Adrenal Nodular Disease in the Current Environment.

Thyroid follicular cells, as well as adrenocortical cells, are endowed by an intrinsic heterogeneity regarding their growth potential, in response to various stimuli. This heterogeneity appears to constitute the underlying cause for the focal cell hyperplasia and eventually the formation of thyroid and adrenal nodules, under the influence of growth stimulatory factors. Among the main stimulatory factors are the pituitary tropic hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which regulate the growth and function of their respective target cells, and the insulin/insulin-like growth factor system, that, through its mitogenic effects, can stimulate the proliferation of these cells.

Association of vascular indices with novel circulating biomarkers as prognostic factors for cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is multifactorial. The association of vascular indices with circulating biomarkers of inflammation and insulin resistance and their role in the long-term cardiovascular prognosis in T2DM patients were currently investigated.

Patients And Methods: Patients with T2DM and poor glycemic control without known cardiovascular diseases (n=119) at baseline were enrolled and followed for about 9years.

Familial partial lipodystrophy and proteinuric renal disease due to a missense c.1045C > T mutation.

Unlabelled: Proteinuric renal disease is prevalent in congenital or acquired forms of generalized lipodystrophy. In contrast, an association between familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) and renal disease has been documented in very few cases. A 22-year-old female patient presented with impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hirsutism and oligomenorrhea.

Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on the Reproductive System of Athletes and Recreational Users: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are testosterone derivatives used by athletes and recreational users to improve athletic performance and/or enhance appearance. Anabolic androgenic steroids use may have serious and potentially irreversible adverse effects on different organs and systems, including the reproductive system.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to critically assess the impact of AAS use on the reproductive system of athletes and recreational users.

Clinical and imaging evaluation of the response to intravenous steroids in patients with Graves' orbitopathy and analysis on who requires additional therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an individualized steroid regimen in patients with moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) by monitoring clinical and imaging parameters.

Methods: In total, 47 patients with active, moderate-to-severe GO were enrolled in this study. All the patients received the proposed treatment regimen by European Group on GO of 4.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Diabetes: A Novel Treatment Paradigm?

Deregulation of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity is implicated in various proliferative conditions. Multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are increasingly used for the treatment of different malignancies. Recently, several clinical cases of the reversal of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, T2DM) during TKI administration have been reported.