DM Group (dm + group)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Forearm vasoconstrictor response in uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2006
P. J. Van Gurp
Abstract Background, According to the ,haemodynamic hypothesis', increased tissue perfusion predisposes to microangiopathy in diabetic patients. We hypothesized that the typical haemodynamic changes underlying the increased tissue perfusion can be explained by a decreased sympathetic nerve activity caused by chronic hyperglycaemia. In this study we investigated sympathetic activity in patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods, In 15 DM patients (DM duration 6·3 ± 3·8 year; HbA1c 7·9 ± 1·3%) and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (Control), sympathetic nervous system activity was measured at rest (baseline) and during sympathoneural stimulation (lower body negative pressure (LBNP)) by means of interstitial and plasma noradrenaline (NA) sampling and power spectral analysis. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured before (baseline) and during a cold pressure test. Forearm blood flow was measured during forearm vascular ,- and ,-adrenergic receptor blockade. Results, At baseline, forearm vascular resistance (FVR), plasma NA concentrations, MSNA and heart rate variability were similar in both groups. LBNP-induced vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated in the DM group compared with the Control group (,FVR: 12 ± 4 vs. 19 ± 3 arbitrary units, P < 0·05). The responses of plasma NA and heart rate variability did not differ. Conclusions,, Baseline FVR and sympathetic nerve activity are normal in patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes. However, the forearm vasoconstrictor response to sympathetic stimulation is attenuated, which cannot be attributed to an impaired sympathetic responsiveness. [source]


Comparative study of total protein, and total and lipid-associated serum sialic acid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2003
Suat Ekin
Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum total protein (TP), total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-associated sialic acid (LSA), LSA/TP, and LSA/TP values in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Two study groups (healthy controls and type 2 DM subjects) were examined. For the type 2 DM group, 120 patients (60 females and 60 males) who had been diagnosed and treated for type 2 DM in the Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital, Van, Turkey, were selected consecutively. Forty healthy individuals (20 females and 20 males) were selected from hospital staff and other outpatient clinics to serve as the control group. They were matched for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status. None of the participants had taken vitamin or mineral supplements for at least 2 weeks before sampling. To determine serum glucose, TP, TSA, and LSA levels, blood samples were drawn after all of the subjects fasted overnight. It was found that diabetics had higher TSA, LSA, TSA/TP, and LSA/TP levels than controls. However, the TP levels were not significantly different between the groups. Our results showed that TSA, LSA, TSA/TP, and LSA/TP have interactive connections with DM. These parameters can be used as a diagnostic index for patients with DM. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 17:124,126, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Effect of activin A on tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 3 2009
XIAO-JUN REN
SUMMARY Aim: The effect of activin A on tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN) using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and high glucose-cultured HK-2 cells was investigated. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized into a normal control group (NC) and diabetes mellitus group (DM). Diabetes was induced by i.p. injection of STZ. Six rats were respectively killed 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after model establishment in each group. The changes of kidney weight/bodyweight (KW/BW), urine albumin excretion rate (AER) and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) were determined. The morphology of tubulointerstitium was observed by light microscopy. Further biochemical analysis was provided using immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The different parameters in high glucose-cultured HK-2 cells were monitored by western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the intervention of rh-follistatin on them was investigated. Results: Compared with the NC group, there was marked enlargement in the levels of KW/BW, AER, Ccr and interstitial fibrosis index, and the production of P-Smad2/3 and fibronectin in the DM group from 8 to 16 weeks. Activin ,A, mainly located in tubular epithelial cells, was significantly higher in the DM group than that in the NC group throughout the study periods. Follistatin was abundant in the NC group, but was diminished gradually in the DM group. High glucose may facilitate the synthesis of activin ,A, transforming growth factor (TGF)-,, P-Smad2/3 and fibronectin in HK-2 cells while rh-follistatin inhibited them except TGF-,. Conclusion: Activin A is involved in tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DN by inducing the production of fibronectin through Smad signal pathway. [source]


Assessment of cardiovascular risk in waiting-listed renal transplant patients: a single center experience in 558 cases

CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2009
G. Leonardi
Abstract:, Cardiac screening is recommended to prevent cardiovascular death after renal transplantation. This retrospective observational study illustrates the results of application of a cardiac assessment algorithm in a series of 558 renal transplant candidates at a single center in Turin, Italy. A dipyridamole-stress sestamibi myocardial scintiscan (DMS) performed in 302/558 (54.1%) cases was positive in 52 (17.2%), negative in 200 (66.2%), borderline in 16 (5.3%), and with signs of previous necrosis in 34 (11.4%). Coronary lesions detected by angiography in 48.1% of the 52 positives were treated medically (13.5%) or by percutaneous/surgical procedure (34.6%). Coronary lesions were detected in 14.1% of asymptomatic population subgroup. The minor and major cardiovascular event rates and the cardiovascular death rate were 1.9%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, in positive DMS group (high-cardiological risk) vs. 10%, 4.5%, and 3.5% in the negatives (p > 0.5; n.s.). It is suggested that not increased cardiovascular event or deaths rates in the high-risk group reflect early coronary lesion detection and correction. Since 55.9% of cardiovascular events or deaths occurred in the negative group more than 24 months after the DMS, its mandatory repetition every two yr after a negative finding is recommended. [source]