Type 2 diabetes and mental disorders; A plausible link with inflammation

Mental disorders including depression and anxiety are the prevalent human diseases which are associated with several metabolic and non-metabolic diseases. Recent investigations demonstrated that the mental disorders can be considered as the potential inducers/stimulators of chronic inflammation. Based on the fact that chronic inflammation is a main cause of human diseases, hence, a hypothesis has been raised to explore the interaction between mental disorders and inflammation related metabolic diseases. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), as a complicated metabolic disorder, is associated with inflammation and also mental disorders. Accordingly, it has been hypothesized that depression and anxiety, as mental disorders may be the inducers/stimulators of inflammation in the patients suffering from T2D. This review article collected recent information regarding the roles of mental disorders on the chronic inflammation in the T2D patients

The Serum Changes of Neuron-Specific Enolase and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Patients With Diffuse Axonal Injury Following Progesterone Administration: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Improvement of neurologic outcome in progesterone-administered patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) has been found in a recent study. Also, there has been interest in the importance of serum parameters as predictors of outcome in traumatic brain injury. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of progesterone administration on serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in clinical DAI. Patients and Methods: In this study, the serum levels of ICAM-1 and NSE of 32 male DAI patients (18 - 60 years of age, a Glasgow coma scale of 12 or less, and admitted within 4 hours after injury) who were randomized for a controlled phase II trial of progesterone were analyzed. The analysis was performed between the control and progesterone groups at admission time, and 24 hours and six days after DAI, respectively. Results: A reduction in the serum level of ICAM-1 was noticed in the progesterone group 24 hours after the injury (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum level of NSE between the study groups during evaluation. At 24 hours after the injury, the level of ICAM-1 in the control group was higher than that at admission time (P < 0.05). The lowest level of NSE in the two groups was seen six days after DAI (P < 0.01). Conclusions: In summary, progesterone administration reduced serum ICAM-1, and whereby may attenuate blood brain barrier disruption, the latter needs further investigation for confirmation

Chest pain is associated with decreased irisin serum levels in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease

Background: This study aimed to determine irisin serum levels in type 2 diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This study was performed on 56 type 2 diabetic patients with and without CAD and 28 normal controls. The serum levels of irisin, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar of all the participants and the severity of CAD in the diabetic patients were determined. Results: The irisin serum level was significantly decreased in the CAD diabetic patients who were symptomatic. HbA1c had a moderate positive correlation with the SYNTAX score in the diabetic patients with CAD. The serum level of irisin was not significantly different between the evaluated groups. Conclusions: Based on the results, decreased irisin may be considered a risk factor for type 2 diabetic patients with CAD. Accordingly, the evaluation of patients with decreased irisin serum levels regarding the prediction of heart infarcts may be valuable. © 2020, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved

Opium addiction is associated with increased damage to cardiomyocytes: Protective roles played by apelins

Background: It has been reported that opium can deteriorate the complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Apelins are molecules whose protective roles against cardiomyocytes have been documented previously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of opium on the serum apelin levels in patients with AMI.Methods: This study was performed on 60 patients with AMI (30 addicted and 30 nonaddicted). The serum levels of apelins, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, cholesterol, total creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and CPK-MB were evaluated using commercial kits.Results: The results showed that although the serum level of apelins was not different between the addicted and nonaddicted patients, it was significantly associated with heart rate and CPK levels in the addicted patients.Conclusions: Considering our results, opium addiction may be associated with increased damage to cardiomyocytes. Additionally, the positive association between apelins and CPK may indicate the protective roles played by these molecules during AMI. (Iranian Heart Journal 2020; 21(3): 6-14). © 2020, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved