Assessment of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analogue and Renin Inhibitor on the Binding and Regulation of GLP-1 Receptor in Type 1 Diabetic Rat Hearts

This study focuses on the effects of long-term renin-angiotensin system suppression and/or incretin mimetic therapies on the regulation and binding affinity of GLP-1 to its receptor in the coronary endothelium (CE) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) of type 1 diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats. The groups assessed are normal (N), streptozotocin-induced diabetic (D), Insulin treated (DI), Exendin-4 treated (DE), Aliskiren treated (DA), cotreated with Insulin and Aliskiren (DIA) and cotreated with exendin-4 and Aliskiren (DEA). Heart perfusion with 125I-GLP-1 was performed to estimate GLP-1 binding affinity (=1/−) to its receptor in the heart. Western Blotting was assessed to determine the expression variation of GLP-1 receptor in the heart. Plasma GLP-1 levels were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Diabetes decreased the value on CE and increased it on CMs compared to normal. The combination of Exendin-4 with Aliskiren showed a normalizing effect on the binding affinity of GLP-1 at the coronary endothelium, while at the cardiomyocyte level Exendin-4 treatment alone was the most effective

Unmasking the interplay between mTOR and Nox4: novel insights into the mechanism connecting diabetes and cancer

Cancer was recently annexed to diabetic complications. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that cancer can increase the risk of diabetes. Consequently, diabetes and cancer share many risk factors, but the cellular and molecular pathways correlating diabetes and colon and rectal cancer (CRC) remain far from understood. In this study, we assess the effect of hyperglycemia on cancer cell aggressiveness in human colon epithelial adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in an experimental animal model of CRC. Our results show that Nox (NADPH oxidase enzyme) 4-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is deregulated in both diabetes and CRC. This is paralleled by inactivation of the AMPK and activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) C1 signaling pathways, resulting in 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) accumulation, induction of DNA damage, and exacerbation of cancer cell aggressiveness, thus contributing to the genomic instability and predisposition to increased tumorigenesis in the diabetic milieu. Pharmacologic activation of AMPK, inhibition of mTORC1, or blockade of Nox4 reduce ROS production, restore the homeostatic signaling of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase/8-oxodG, and lessen the progression of CRC malignancy in a diabetic milieu. Taken together, our results identify the AMPK/mTORC1/Nox4 signaling axis as a molecular switch correlating diabetes and CRC. Modulating this pathway may be a strategic target of therapeutic potential aimed at reversing or slowing the progression of CRC in patients with or without diabetes.-Mroueh, F. M., Noureldein, M., Zeidan, Y. H., Boutary, S., Irani, S. A. M., Eid, S., Haddad, M., Barakat, R., Harb, F., Costantine, J., Kanj, R., Sauleau, E.-A., Ouhtit, A., Azar, S. T., Eid, A. H., Eid, A. A. Unmasking the interplay between mTOR and Nox4: novel insights into the mechanism connecting diabetes and cancer.Scopu

Effect of the mode of application of cryopreserved human amniotic membrane on adhesion formation after abdomino-pelvic surgery in a mouse model.

Adhesions after abdomino-pelvic surgery are a cause of morbidity and reoperations. The use of human amniotic membrane (HAM) for adhesion prevention has given controversial results. The mode of administration of the amniotic membrane has not been well studied. This study assessed the efficacy of two modes of application of cryopreserved HAM, patch or fragmented in Lactated Ringer solution, for the prevention of pelvic adhesion formation post abdomino-pelvic surgery in a mice model. After a midline laparotomy incision, a small cautery lesion was done on each side of the abdominal wall peritoneum in mice. In Group A (control; n=42) the abdomen was closed directly, Group B (n=42) received 2.5 ml of Lactated Ringer (LR) prior to closure. In Groups C (n=42) and D (n=42), a 2x2 cm patch of HAM and another one fragmented and dispersed in 2.5 ml of LR were applied prior to closure, respectively. Two weeks later, a laparotomy was performed and gross and pathological evaluation of adhesions, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation were conducted. Group D exhibited a significantly lower rate of gross adhesion formation. Fibrosis was significantly lowest in Group C as compared to the control. Group B had the lowest vascular formation in the adhesions. The use of HAM fragmented in LR solution is associated with a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adhesions in mice when compared to LR alone, HAM patch or control. The mechanism of action of this reduction needs to be elucidated by future studies