Circulating adipokines and mRNA expression in adipose tissue and the placenta in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Maternal adipose tissue and the placenta secrete various molecules commonly called adipokines such as chemerin, omentin-1, visfatin, adiponectin, and leptin that are important players in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as a state of glucose intolerance characterized by β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. To examine whether circulating adipokines and their mRNA expression in the adipose tissue and the placenta are altered in GDM pregnancy, we compared 15 GDM women [obese (BMI > 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30)] to 23 NGT (normal glucose tolerance) women [obese and non-obese], at the time of the Cesarean section.

Homocysteine, cortisol, diabetes mellitus, and psychopathology.

Objective: This study investigates the association of homocysteine and cortisol with psychological factors in type 2 diabetic patients.

Method: Homocysteine, cortisol, and psychological variables were analyzed from 131 diabetic patients. Psychological factors were assessed with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ), the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDRS), and the Maudsley O-C Inventory Questionnaire (MOCI).

Cytokines, diabetes mellitus and psychopathology: a challenging combination.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α with trait and state psychological factors in type 2 diabetic patients.

Design: Patients were divided in two groups. Group A consisted of 86 controlled diabetic patients (HbA1c<7) and the Group B consisted of 45 uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c ≥ 7).

High insulin and leptin increase resistin and inflammatory cytokine production from human mononuclear cells.

Resistin and the proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF- α , IL-6, and IL-1 β , produced by adipocytes, and macrophages, are considered to be important modulators of chronic inflammation contributing to the development of obesity and atherosclerosis. Human monocyte-enriched mononuclear cells, from ten healthy individuals, were exposed to high concentrations of insulin, leptin, and glucose (alone or in combination) for 24 hours in vitro. Resistin, TNF- α , IL-6, and IL-1 β production was examined and compared to that in untreated cells.

Expression analysis of mir-17-5p, mir-20a and let-7a microRNAs and their target proteins in CD34+ bone marrow cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Mir-17-5p and mir-20a, members of the mir-17-92 family, down-regulate E2F1, which is over-expressed in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Moreover, let-7a down-regulates KRAS, which is aberrantly expressed in MDS. We evaluated the expression of the aforementioned microRNAs in CD34+ cells of 43 MDS patients using real-time PCR and their target proteins (E2F1, MYC, BCL2, CCND1, and KRAS) by Western blot.

Oxytocin and psychological factors affecting type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of oxytocin with trait and state psychological factors in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: OXT and psychological variables were analyzed from 86 controlled diabetic patients (glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 7%) from 45 uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c ≥ 7). Psychological characteristics were assessed with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), while state psychological characteristics were measured with the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R).

Arterial stiffness is associated with increased monocyte expression of adiponectin receptor mRNA and protein in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) constitute validated cardiovascular prognostic markers. Adiponectin and its receptors 1 (AdipoR1) and 2 (AdipoR2) are involved in coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether AdipoR1 and R2 mRNA and protein expression are associated with arterial stiffness, IMT and extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

Effects of adiponectin in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokine production from coronary artery disease macrophages.

Adiponectin, an adipose tissue secreted protein, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties. We examined the effects of the globular and full-length adiponectin on cytokine production in macrophages derived from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients and control individuals. Adiponectin's effects in human macrophages upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment were also examined.

Adiponectin levels and expression of adiponectin receptors in isolated monocytes from overweight patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherosclerotic effects, partly mediated through its action on monocytes. We aimed to determine adiponectin levels and expression of its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in peripheral monocytes from overweight and obese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Fifty-five overweight/obese patients, suspected for CAD, underwent coronary angiography: 31 were classified as CAD patients (stenosis ≥ 50% in at least one main vessel) and 24 as nonCAD.

Genetic variation in the adiponectin receptor 2 (ADIPOR2) gene is associated with coronary artery disease and increased ADIPOR2 expression in peripheral monocytes.

Background: Adiponectin is an adipose tissue secreted protein known for its insulin sensitising and anti-atherogenic actions. To this date two adiponectin receptors have been discovered, adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) and adiponectin receptor 2 (ADIPOR2). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of ADIPOR2 gene variations with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Peripheral mononuclear cell resistin mRNA expression is increased in type 2 diabetic women.

Resistin has been shown to cause insulin resistance and to impair glucose tolerance in rodents, but in humans its physiological role still remains elusive. The aim of this study was to examine whether resistin mRNA expression in human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its corresponding plasma levels are altered in type 2 diabetes. Resistin mRNA levels were easily detectable in human PBMC, and found to be higher in DM2 compared to healthy women (P = .

Visfatin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expression is increased in mononuclear cells from type 2 diabetic women.

Visfatin, is a new adipokine, highly expressed in the visceral fat of both mice and humans. To examine whether visfatin is expressed in human peripheral monocyte-enriched mononuclear cells and whether its expression is altered in type 2 diabetes (DM2), we compared 24 DM2 women [17 overweight (BMI >25) and 7 lean (BMI<25)] to 26 healthy women (14 overweight and 12 lean), all premenopausal. Relative visfatin mRNA levels were significantly higher (approximately 3-fold) in DM2 compared to healthy control women (p<0.

Stress, the endoplasmic reticulum, and insulin resistance.

Stress, such as nutrient deprivation, viral infections, inflammation, heat shock, or lipid accumulation, imposes a serious threat to the body. These stimuli, acting both on the central control stations of the stress system and its final effectors, catecholamines and glucocorticoids, and on the peripheral target tissues, can modulate insulin action in the body. Metabolic complications, such as diabetes, visceral obesity, and atherosclerosis have emerged as major health threats in the modern societies.

Compound heterozygosity of a frameshift mutation in the coding region and a single base substitution in the promoter of the ACTH receptor gene in a family with isolated glucocorticoid deficiency.

Isolated glucocorticoid deficiency (IGD) is an autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by glucocorticoid insufficiency without mineralocorticoid deficiency. Mutations in the coding region of the ACTH receptor (MC2R) have been reported in several families with IGD. We amplified and sequenced the entire MC2R coding region in a new family with IGD.

Expression of leptin receptors in mononuclear cells from myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemias.

Leptin, the adipocyte hormone, and its receptor have been implicated in the differentiation/proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Given that the deregulated expression of a variety of growth factors and/or their receptors has been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain leukemias, we aimed to characterize the potential differences in the expression pattern of the two major leptin receptor transcript variants in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) between different hematologic malignancies. Using RT-PCR and Southern blotting, we compared the expression levels of the two major leptin receptors, the longest (OB-R(L)) and the shortest (OB-R(S)) splice variants, in PBMC from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), healthy individuals and two human hematopoietic cell lines (HL-60 and K562).

Absence of MLL gene rearrangement in de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

The Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene has been identified in 11q23 translocations. The aim of the present study is the investigation of the frequency of MLL gene rearrangements in cases of de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Sixty-two patients with de novo MDS were included in the analysis.

The upstream regulatory region of the gene for the human homologue of the adhesion molecule TAG-1 contains elements driving neural specific expression in vivo.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) exhibit restricted spatial and temporal expression profiles requiring a tight regulatory program during development. The rodent glycoprotein TAG-1 and its orthologs TAX-1 in the human and axonin-1 in chick are cell adhesion molecules belonging to the contactin/F3 subgroup of the IgSF. TAG-1 is expressed in restricted subsets of central and peripheral neurons, not only during development but also in adulthood, and is implicated in neurite outgrowth, axon guidance and fasciculation, as well as neuronal migration.

The desmopressin and combined CRH-desmopressin tests in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome: constraints imposed by the expression of V2 vasopressin receptors in tumors with ectopic ACTH secretion.

The role of desmopressin, alone or in combination with CRH, in the differential diagnosis between Cushing's disease (CD) and ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS) still remains uncertain. Based on existing data, the desmopressin test is regarded as an alternative to the CRH stimulation test and, when given in combination with CRH, it has been suggested to completely discriminate between patients with CD and EAS. However, assessment of these tests has been limited in only a small number of patients with EAS.

TNFalpha and leptin inhibit basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and gene transcription in the HIT-T15 pancreatic cells.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a cytokine produced at inflammatory sites and in adipose tissue, is known primarily for its detrimental effects on insulin action. There is evidence to suggest that TNFalpha may also influence beta-cell function. Leptin is another adipose tissue-derived hormone that might also act on beta-cells.

Food-dependent androgen and cortisol secretion by a gastric inhibitory polypeptide-receptor expressive adrenocortical adenoma leading to hirsutism and subclinical Cushing's syndrome: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Aberrant gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor expression in bilaterally hyperplastic adrenals or unilateral adrenal adenomas is a rare form of adrenal hyperfunction. So far, only few cases have been described. In all these cases, cortisol was the predominant steroid released in a food-dependent manner, leading to the development of non-ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome.

Expression of the long and short leptin receptor isoforms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: implications for leptin's actions.

Leptin, the adipocyte-derived hormone, is secreted into the blood and regulates body weight via its receptors in the hypothalamus. Leptin receptors are also present in many peripheral tissues implicating leptin in the regulation of other body functions, including reproduction, liver and enteric metabolism, hematopoiesis, and immunity. Four splice variants of the leptin receptor have been identified in humans: the long isoform that has full intracellular signaling capacity and 3 shorter isoforms that differ in the length of their cytoplasmic tail.

Mutations of the ACTH receptor gene in a new family with isolated glucocorticoid deficiency.

Isolated glucocorticoid deficiency (IGD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by primary adrenocortical insufficiency, without mineralocorticoid deficiency. Mutations of the ACTH receptor gene have been reported in several families with IGD. We have amplified and directly sequenced the entire intronless ACTH receptor gene in a new family with IGD.

Cis-activation of L1-mediated ankyrin recruitment by TAG-1 homophilic cell adhesion.

Neural cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily mediate not only cell aggregation but also growth cone guidance and neurite outgrowth. In this study we demonstrate that two neural CAMs, L1-CAM and TAG-1, induce the homophilic aggregation of Drosophila S2 cells but are unable to interact with each other when expressed on different cells (trans-interaction). However, immunoprecipitations from cells co-expressing L1-CAM and TAG-1 showed a strong cis-interaction between the two molecules in the plane of the plasma membrane.

The fibronectin domains of the neural adhesion molecule TAX-1 are necessary and sufficient for homophilic binding.

Cell adhesion molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily promote cell aggregation and neurite outgrowth. These proteins are multidomain molecules comprising a number of distinct modules, notably Ig domains of the C2 class and fibronectin type III repeats. A subgroup of these neural adhesion molecules are linked to the membrane with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor and show a more restricted pattern of expression in the embryo.