The Connection Between Bile Acids and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Bile acids (BAs) are steroid molecules that have a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic end, and are synthesized exclusively in the liver, being end product of cholesterol catabolism. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a chronic degenerative disease, with a pathophysiology characterized by insulin resistance (IR), insulin deficiency due to insufficient production of pancreatic ß-cells, and elevated serum glucose levels leading to multiple complications. BAs are related to several metabolic alterations, including metabolic syndrome and DM2. It is currently known that BAs act as a ligand for the nuclear farnesoid X receptor, a receptor with an important role in glucose metabolism, lipids and cellular energy production, as well as in the regulation of production, elimination and mobilization of BAs. BAs have also been reported to act as a signaling pathway through of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5. In this manuscript, we describe the interface between BAs and metabolic disorders, in particular DM2, including discussing possibilities in the development of therapeutic procedures targeting BAs as an optional pathway in the treatment of DM2

Structural similarity between thyroid peroxidase [Homo sapiens] and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein: An autoimmune thyroiditis triggering mechanism in COVID-19 carriers?

Introduction: there are reports of autoimmune disease related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) such neurological syndromes and hematological syndromes, and more recently autoimmune thyroid dysfunctions have been described. These reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 acts as a probable trigger for triggering the autoimmunity process. Aim: to evaluate structural similarity between thyroid peroxidase [Homo sapiens] (TPO) and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (COVID-19), and to propose this similarity as a likely trigger for autoimmune thyroiditis. Methodology: using bioinformatics tools, we compare the amino acids (AA) sequences between protein structure of TPO and chain A COVID-19, chain B COVID-19, and chain C COVID-19, accessible in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool in order to locate the homologous regions between the sequences of AA. Results: the homology sequence between the TPO and COVID-19 ranged from 27.0 % (10 identical residues out of 37 AA in the sequence) to 56.0% (5 identical residues out of 9 AA in the sequence). The similar alignments demonstrated relatively high E values in function of short alignment. Conclusion: data suggest a possible pathological link between TPO and COVID-19. The structural similarity of AA sequences between TPO and COVID-19 may present a molecular mimicry suggesting the possibility of antigen crossover between TPO and COVID-19 that might represent an immunological basis for autoimmune thyroiditis associated with COVID-19

Relationship between vitiligo and Hashimoto's thyroiditis

BBackground: Vitiligo is a multifactorial acquired depigmenting disorder, characterized by a spontaneous loss of functional melanocytes from the epidermis. Vitiligo and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) often occur in association and seem to be characterized by an autoimmune process. The vitiligo associated with HT suggests genetic homologies between them.Objective: To identify protein sequence homology between melanocyte protein (Pmel) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO), using bioinformatics tools, to propose an initial mechanism which could explain the production of cross-reacting autoantibodies to melanocyte and TPO.Methods: We performed a comparison between Pmel and TPO amino acids (AA) sequences, available on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database by BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) in order to find local homology regions between the AA sequences.Results: The homology sequence between the Pmel and TPO ranged from 21.0 % (19 identical residues out of 90 AA in the sequence) to 55.0% (6 identical residues out of 11 AA in the sequence). The identical alignments presented relatively high E values due to presence of short alignment.Conclusion: Bioinformatics data suggest a possible pathological link between Pmel and TPO. Sequence homology between Pmel and TPO may present a molecular mimicry suggesting the possibility of antigen crossover between Pmel and TPO that might represent an immunological basis for vitiligo associated with HT. 

SARS-CoV-2 / COVID e Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1: Uma abordagem com imunoinformática

Contact with viruses which have an aminoacid (AA) sequence simile to that of the auto-antigens can lead to autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible individuals. SARS-CoV-2 has been implied as a possible causer of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), however, no consistent evidence yet that SARS-CoV-2 take to DM1 on your own initiative. Objective: Evaluate the possible similarity between the AA sequences of human insulin and human glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) with SARS-CoV-2/COVID proteins, to explain the possible trigger of DM1. Methods: AA sequences of the human insulin (4F0N), GAD65 (2OKK), and SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-Cov2 S protein at open state (7DDN), SARS-Cov2 S protein at close state (7DDD), SARS CoV-2 Spike protein (6ZB5), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal RNA binding domain (6M3M), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein C-terminal RNA binding domain (7DE1), Crystal Structure of NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 (7K3N), and SARS-CoV-2 S trimer (7DK3)) available in the Protein Data Bank were compared using the Pairwise Structure Alignment. Results: Sequence identity percentage (SI%) and sequence similarity percentage (SS%) were found among the 4F0N, 2OKK and SARS-CoV-2. The SI% between the 4F0N and SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 4.76% to 14.29% and SS% ranged from 5.00% to 45.45%, distributed like this: 4F0N and 7DDN = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57; 4F0N and 7DDD = SI% 14.39 and SS% 23.81; 4F0N and 6ZB5 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57; 4F0N and 6M3M = SI% 5.00 and SS% 5;00; 4F0N and 7DE1 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 9.21; 4F0N and 7K3N = SI% 9.09 and SS% 45.45; 4F0N and 7DK3 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57. The SI% between the between the 2OKK and SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 3.19% to 6,70% and SS% ranged from 10.45 % to 22.22%, distributed like this: 2OKK and 7DDN = SI% 6.70 and SS% 15.64; 2OKK and 7DDD = SI% 7.53 and SS% 18.84; 2OKK and 6ZB5 = SI% 6.68 and SS% 17.38; 2OKK and 6M3M = SI% 4.48 and SS% 10.45; 2OKK and 7DE1 = SI% 6.67 and SS% 22.22; 2OKK and 7K3N = SI% 3.19 and SS% 15.97; 2OKK and 7DK3 = SI% 3.95 and 17.98. Conclusion: Immunoinformatics data suggest a potential pathogenic link between DM1 and SARS-CoV-2/COVID. Thus, by means of molecular mimicking we check that sequences similarity among SARS-CoV-2/COVID and human insulin and human glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 may lead to production of an immune cross-response to self-antigens, with breakage of self-tolerance that can trigger DM1.O contato com vírus que têm uma sequência de aminoácidos (AA) semelhante à dos autoantígenos podem desencadear doenças autoimunes em indivíduos geneticamente suscetíveis. SARS-CoV-2 foi sugerido como um possível causador de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 de início recente (DM1), no entanto, não há evidências consistentes de que o SARS-CoV-2 possa desencadear DM1. Objetivo: Avaliar a possível semelhança entre as sequências AA da insulina humana e da descarboxilase-65 do ácido glutâmico humano (GAD65) com as proteínas SARS-CoV-2 / COVID, para explicar o possível desencadeamento do DM1. Métodos: Sequências de AA da insulina humana (4F0N), GAD65 (2OKK) e SARS-CoV-2 SARS-Cov2 S protein at open state (7DDN), SARS-Cov2 S protein at close state (7DDD), SARS CoV-2 Spike protein (6ZB5), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal RNA binding domain (6M3M), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein C-terminal RNA binding domain (7DE1), Crystal Structure of NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 (7K3N), and SARS-CoV-2 S trimer (7DK3))  disponíveis no Protein Data Bank foram comparadas utilizando o Pairwise Structure Alignment. Resultados: O percentual de identidade de sequências (SI%) e o percentual de similaridade de sequências (SS%) foram encontrados entre o 4F0N, 2OKK e o SARS-CoV-2. O SI% entre o 4F0N e o SARS-CoV-2 variou de 4,76% a 14,29% e o SS% variou de 5,00% a 45,45%, assim distribuídos: 4F0N e 7DDN = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57; 4F0N e 7DDD = SI% 14,39 e SS% 23,81; 4F0N e 6ZB5 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57; 4F0N e 6M3M = SI% 5,00 e SS% 5; 00; 4F0N e 7DE1 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 9,21; 4F0N e 7K3N = SI% 9,09 e SS% 45,45; 4F0N e 7DK3 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57. O SI% entre o 2OKK e o SARS-CoV-2 variou de 3,19% a 6,70% e o SS% variou de 10,45% a 22,22%, assim distribuídos: 2OKK e 7DDN = SI% 6,70 e SS% 15,64; 2OKK e 7DDD = SI% 7,53 e SS% 18,84; 2OKK e 6ZB5 = SI% 6,68 e SS% 17,38; 2OKK e 6M3M = SI% 4,48 e SS% 10,45; 2OKK e 7DE1 = SI% 6,67 e SS% 22,22; 2OKK e 7K3N = SI% 3,19 e SS% 15,97; 2OKK e 7DK3 = SI% 3,95 e 17,98. Conclusão: Os dados de imunoinformática sugerem uma potencial ligação patogênica entre SARS-CoV-2 / COVID e o DM1. Assim, por meio de mimetização molecular, verificamos que a similaridade das sequências de AA entre SARS-CoV-2 / COVID e insulina humana e a descarboxilase-65 do ácido glutâmico humano pode levar à produção de uma resposta cruzada imunológica para autoantígenos, com quebra de auto-tolerância, podendo desencadear o DM1

Nationwide multicenter study on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Brazilian population

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in type 2 diabetic (DM2) outpatients from different regions of Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 2,519 randomly selected patients, from 11 hospitals, 2 endocrine and one general public care clinics from 10 cities. Overweight was defined as body-mass index (BMI) > 25 and obesity as BMI > 30 kg/m². Glycemic control (GC) was evaluated by GC index (GCI= patient's HbA1 or HbA1c/upper limit of normal for the method x 100). RESULTS: 39% of the population studied was male, the mean age was 58.8 ± 11.6 y, the duration from clinical diagnosis of DM2 was 9.0 ± 7.3y, and BMI was 28.3 ± 5.2 kg/m². No measurements of BMI were recorded from 265 patients (10.5%). Patients from the Northeast presented lower BMI as compared with those from the Midwest, Southeast and South areas, respectively (26.4 ± 4.7 vs. 27.9 ± 4.8 vs. 29.2 ± 5.1 vs. 29.4 ± 5.4 kg/m²; p 25 e obesidade um IMC > 30 kg/m². O controle glicêmico (CG) foi avaliado pelo índice de CG [ICG= HbA1 e ou HbA1c do paciente/limite superior de normalidade do método x 100]. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes tinham idade de 58,8 ± 11,6 anos, tempo de diagnóstico clínico de DM de 9,0 ± 7,3 anos, IMC de 28,3 ± 5,2 kg/m², e 39% eram do sexo masculino. Do total da amostra, 265 pacientes (10,5%) não apresentavam avaliação do IMC. Os pacientes da região Nordeste apresentaram menor IMC em comparação com os das regiões Centro-Oeste, Sudeste e Sul, respectivamente (26,4 ± 4,7 vs. 27,9 ± 4,8 vs. 29,2 ± 5,1 vs. 29,4 ± 5,4 kg/m²; p< 0,001). Houve maior prevalência de obesidade na região Sudeste e Sul em comparação à região Nordeste (p< 0,001) e nos pacientes do sexo feminino, respectivamente (69 vs. 31%; p< 0,001). Os pacientes com peso normal apresentaram menor ICG. Aqueles em tratamento com associação de duas ou mais drogas orais e associação de insulina + droga oral apresentaram maior IMC do que aqueles em tratamento com dieta, hipoglicemiante oral e insulina; p< 0,001. O IMC não diferiu entre os pacientes assistidos ou não por especialistas. CONCLUSÕES: Da população estudada, 75% não estava na faixa de peso ideal, sendo que um terço tinha obesidade. Nossos dados indicam que o sobrepeso e a obesidade já atingem um percentual de pacientes com DM2 no Brasil semelhante ao relatado em estudos europeus, mas ainda menor do que o observado nos EUA. A prevalência de obesidade nos pacientes diabéticos foi três vezes maior do que a observada na população brasileira em geral de acordo com os dados do IBGE.UERJUSPUNIFESP-EPMUNICAMPUNIFEUniversidade Federal do MaranhãoCEDEBVA Serviço de Endocrinologia e DiabetesHospital Agamenon Magalhães Serviços de EndocrinologiaSanta Casa Serviços de EndocrinologiaIAPSEB Serviços de EndocrinologiaHospital Geral Serviços de EndocrinologiaPAM Jaguaribe Serviços de EndocrinologiaSanta Casa Serviço de DiabetesSecretaria Municipal de SaúdeUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Sonographic ocular findings in diabetic retinopathy

Introduction: Despite recent improvements in ophthalmologic examination techniques, the evaluation of vitreoretinal diseases due diabetic retinopathy (DR) often presents a diagnostic challenge. Ocular sonography is superior to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting of DR, because the eye can be examined dynamically during ocular movements, and can gather a vast amount of information what is not possible with clinical examination alone. Objective: Observational study demonstrating ophthalmic ultrasound findings of patients with DR in your different grades. Methodology: Study in which are presented the sonographic aspects in a group of patients with DR in your different grades. We studied both eyes of individuals with DR by ocular sonography. The diagnostic of DR was based on the clinical and retinography examinations performed. The DR was classified according to the modified Airlie House system on the basis of stereoscopic fundus examination with a 90 diopter lens. Results: The individuals examined had some degree of DR, level 20 to 85 of the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Scale. The diagnosis of DR was accomplished when at least four or more microaneurysms were present in the retinography, with or without hard or soft exudates, in the absence of other known diseases, being presented the sonographic features of these complications. Conclusion: Ocular sonography is very useful diagnostic tool in detection and evaluation of DR complications, because shows the nature and extent of lesions in eyes with vitreous opacification, which is usually not visualized on ophthalmoscopy, helping to determine the clinical treatment or timing of surgery, and to predict the visual outcome and it may serve as a useful extension of the initial investigation of the symptomatic or not patient

Terapia com células-tronco em Diabetes Mellitus

Células-tronco (CT) são células indiferenciadas altamente especializadas, com capacidade de se renovar, encontrada em diferentes tecidos ou órgãos. O uso de CT em medicina regenerativa é uma grande promessa para a cura de muitas doenças, incluindo o diabetes mellitus (DM). Cerca de 6% da população mundial é afetada de DM e a regeneração das células beta através do uso de CT e células progenitoras é um método atrativo para o seu tratamento. Usando CT como uma nova fonte de células-beta abriu-se várias possibilidades para o desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos para o DM. As principais fontes para a produção de células insulina-produtoras são as CT embrionárias e as CT pluripotentes induzidas, além da estimulação da proliferação de células-beta, reprogramação genética e transdiferenciação de células que são as grandes promessas na terapia celular personalizada para o DM, gerando células-beta específicas para cada paciente. Neste artigo são revisadas as CT como um potencial alvo terapêutico para o tratamento do DM