J Smooth Muscle Res. 2008 Oct; 44(5): 177-88
Kamata K, Ozawa Y, Kobayashi T, Matsumoto T
The primary goal of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term (9 months) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on the coronary vasoconstrictor responses to vasoactive agents such as high K(+), acetylcholine (ACh), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and the calcium-channel activator Bay K 8644. For this, we used isolated rat hearts perfused at constant flow rate. Each of the four agents caused dose-dependent increases in perfusion pressure in isolated hearts from age-matched control and STZ-induced diabetic rats. The dose-response curves for high K(+), ACh, and ET-1 were shifted to the left, so that at some lower doses of these agents the increased perfusion pressure was greater in coronary arteries obtained from diabetic rats than in those from control rats. On the other hand, the maximum contractile response induced by each of these agents was lower in the diabetic perfused heart. The Bay K 8644-induced contractile response was significantly greater in the coronary arteries of diabetic rats than in those of control rats. A threshold-constrictor concentration of Bay K 8644 (1 nM) potentiated the ACh-induced vasoconstriction in coronary arteries from both groups, and the potentiated responses were greater in diabetic rats than in controls at lower concentrations of ACh (100 nM and 1 muM). These findings suggest that the coronary artery contractile responses to lower concentrations of ACh or ET-1 are exaggerated in long-term STZ-induced diabetic hearts. These changes may be due to alterations in the activity of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels.
J Vet Med Sci. 2008 Dec; 70(12): 1337-40
Kang JH, Na KJ, Mo IP, Chang D, Yang MP
A 6-month-old male crossbred dog weighing 0.78 kg was presented with acute bilateral immature cataracts, intermittent diarrhea and growth retardation. The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were suggestive of concurrent juvenile diabetes mellitus (DM) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Moreover, the DM was associated with a decreased level of serum insulin-like growth factor I. Histological examination revealed a markedly lower number of pancreatic islets and acinar cells. This case shows that juvenile-onset DM can occur simultaneously with EPI and result in growth retardation, acute cataract formation and a high cortisol concentration.
Ophthalmic Res. 2008 Dec 20; 41(2): 98-101
Miwa I, Chen AS, Taguchi T
Purpose: OP-lysine, a glycation product of lysine residues of proteins, has been reported to be formed with glyceraldehyde and glycolaldehyde as precursors in the lens, and has been suggested to play a role in senile cataracts. However, there has been no reliable information regarding the content of glyceraldehyde in tissues. This study determined the glyceraldehyde levels in the lenses of normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Glyceraldehyde was derivatized to a fluorescent compound, and the compound was then quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The lens glyceraldehyde levels in normal and diabetic rats were 0.75 +/- 0.06 and 1.26 +/- 0.21 nmol/g wet weight (means +/- standard deviations of 6 animals, p < 0.01), respectively. Isolated rat lenses accumulated a higher level of glyceraldehyde when cultured for 6 days in 25.5 mM glucose than when cultured in 5.5 mM glucose. Conclusions: Glyceraldehyde was found to be present in the lens and was increased in diabetes mellitus. OP-lysine is thus likely to be a potential risk factor for senile and diabetic cataracts.
Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2008 Nov; 24(6): 701-6
Vaarala O
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several studies have indicated that children with type 1 diabetes show altered intestinal immune system and, in particular, increased small intestinal permeability. This review discusses the recent research linking the gut and type 1 diabetes, which may reveal novel pathogenic pathways and new possibilities for disease prevention. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies indicate that not only patients with manifest type 1 diabetes show increased small intestinal permeability and high serum levels of zonulin, that is protein controlling epithelial tight junctions, but prediabetic, normoglycemic individuals with beta-cell autoimmunity show signs of leaking gut. Also studies in BioBreeding-rat model of autoimmune diabetes suggest that high permeability of the intestine precedes autoimmune diabetes. The enteropathy characterized by increased intestinal permeability and inflammation seems to be the basis for the development of beta-cell destruction, as for example zonulin agonist, which decreases the gut permeability, prevents the development of diabetes. SUMMARY: The leaking gut syndrome with subclinical inflammation is associated with beta-cell autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, treatment of the leakiness has been reported to modulate development of autoimmune diabetes in animal models suggesting that intestinal environment plays a key role in the destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas.
Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2009 Jan; 22(1): 55-60
Pull CB
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the several psychotherapies that have been described as 'third wave' cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs). The present editorial review examines the current status of ACT with a focus on previous reviews, a meta-analysis and new studies that have been published between January 2006 and August 2008. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies on ACT suggest that ACT may be effective for a variety of disorders, including several anxiety disorders, depression, pain, trichotillomania, psychotic disorder, drug abuse and the management of epilepsy and diabetes. SUMMARY: The available evidence suggests that ACT works through different processes than active treatment comparisons, including traditional CBT. Although currently available data are promising, there is, however, a need for more well controlled studies to verify whether ACT is generally as or more effective than other active treatments across the range of problems examined.
Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2008; 9(4): 239-58
Cardenas GA, Lavie CJ, Cardenas V, Milani RV, McCullough PA
Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) represent a major cardiovascular risk factor, with a stronger relationship to coronary heart disease than that seen with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). HDL-C has important antiatherogenic effects, including reverse cholesterol transport, inhibition of LDL-C oxidation, and antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory actions. Patients with low HDL-C are also at an amplified risk of coronary heart disease due to the common coexistence of other risk factors, including excess adiposity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and the atherogenic dyslipidemia characterized by small dense LDL-C. First-line therapy of low HDL-C generally consists of nonpharmacologic measures such as improved fitness and weight loss. Current pharmaceutical options include statins, fibrates, and nicotinic acid. A host of novel approaches involving HDL-C and reverse cholesterol transport hold the promise of fundamentally changing the natural history of atherosclerosis, the most common and important chronic disease in humans.
