Oxidative Stress Biomarkers for Diabetic Retinopathy and Medical Management Affecting Oxidative Stress

Changes in dietary habits and lifestyles associated with rapid economic growth have dramatically increased the incidence of diabetes and related vascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a microvascular complication of diabetes, is associated with both environmental and genetic factors. Several metabolic abnormalities are implicated in its pathogenesis; however, the exact mechanism remains to be determined. Among them, oxidative stress is expected to play an important role

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related polymorphisms rs10738760 and rs6921438 are not risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of angiogenesis and has been investigated as a candidate gene in a number of conditions, including diabetes and its microvascular complications (e.g., retinopathy and nephropathy). Several VEGF-related polymorphisms have been shown to contribute to nearly half of the variability in circulating VEGF levels in healthy individuals. Our aim was to assess the association between VEGF-related rs10738760 and rs6921438 polymorphisms and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We also investigated the effect of these polymorphisms on VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) expression in fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) from patients with PDR. This case-control study enrolled 505 unrelated patients with T2DM: 143 diabetic patients with PDR as a study group, and 362 patients with T2DM of >10 years duration and with no clinical signs of PDR as a control group. Patient clinical and laboratory data were obtained from their medical records. rs10738760 and rs6921438 polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay. VEGFR-2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 20 FVMs from patients with PDR, and numerical areal density of VEGFR-2-positive cells was calculated. The occurrence of PDR was 1.7 times higher in diabetic patients carrying GA genotype of rs6921438 compared to patients with GG genotype, with a borderline statistical significance (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.00 – 2.86, p = 0.05). In addition, A allele of rs6921438 was associated with increased VEGFR-2 expression in FVMs from PDR patients. However, we observed no association between AA genotype of rs6921438 nor between rs10738760 variants and PDR, indicating that the two polymorphisms are not genetic risk factors for PDR

Transcriptomic signatures for human male infertility

Introduction: Male infertility is a common, complex disorder. A better understanding of pathogenesis and etiology is needed for timely diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study, therefore, was to identify genes involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility based on data from transcriptomic level supported with data from genomic level.Materials and methods: First, we performed whole gene expression analysis in 20 testis biopsy samples of patients with severely impaired (10) and normal spermatogenesis (10). Further, we have performed systematic review of comparable male infertility studies and overlapped the most significantly expressed genes identified in our study with the most differentially expressed genes from selected studies. Gene Ontology analysis and KEGG functional enrichment have been performed with Enrichr analysis tool. Additionally, we have overlapped these genes with the genes where rare variants have been identified previously.Results: In 10 patients with severely impaired spermatogenesis and 10 controls, we identified more than 1,800 differentially expressed genes (p < 0.001). With the systematic review of three previously performed microarray studies that have met inclusion criteria we identified 257 overlapped differentialy expressed genes (144 downregulated and 113 upregulated). Intersection of genes from transcriptomic studies with genes with identified rare variants revealed a total of 7 genes linked with male infertility phenotype (CYP11A1, CYP17A1, RSPH3, TSGA10, AKAP4, CCIN, NDNF).Conclusion: Our comprehensive study highlighted the role of four genes in pathogenesis of male infertility and provided supporting evidence for three promising candidate genes which dysfunction may result in a male infertility disorder

Candidate Genes for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Several candidate genes have been so far implicated in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Since the principal pathogenetic mechanisms for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and PDR are different, the main pathogenetic mechanism in DR is increased vascular permeability, whereas in PDR the crucial pathogenetic mechanisms are fibrosis and neoangiogenesis. Due to that fact, different candidate genes are expected to be involved in the development of either DR or PDR. None of the candidate genes, however, can be fully and solely responsible for the development of PDR and for DR progression into PDR. Epigenetic mechanisms are expected to be involved in the pathogenesis of PDR as well. Gene polymorphisms responsible for PDR and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for PDR are reviewed in this paper

Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Gene Polymorphism (V16A) is Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Slovene (Caucasians) Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Substantial data indicate that oxidative stress is involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Two candidate genes that affect the oxidative stress are manganese mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The aim of the present study was to examine the role of the V16A polymorphism of the Mn-SOD gene and the 4a/b polymorphism of the eNOS gene in the development of diabetic retinopathy in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes

GSTT1 Null Genotype Is a Risk Factor for Diabetic Retinopathy in Caucasians with Type 2 Diabetes, whereas GSTM1 Null Genotype Might Confer Protection against Retinopathy

Aim: Substantial data indicate that oxidative stress is involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms: polymorphic deletions of glutathione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) and Ile105Val of the GSTP1 are associated with DR in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes

A Flow Cytometric Analysis of Vitreous Inflammatory Cells in Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

The purpose of this study was to investigate inflammatory cells in vitreous from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using flow cytometric analysis. Twenty-eight patients with PDR requiring vitrectomy because of macular traction or tractional retinal detachment were enrolled in the study (n=28), and 6 patients with macular hole (MH) formed the control group. Samples of vitreous and peripheral venous blood were obtained at the beginning of vitrectomy. T lymphocytes were found in vitreous from patients with PDR, and CD4/CD8 ratio was higher in vitreous (median 4.3) compared to blood (median 1.9; P=0.003). No B lymphocytes were detected in vitreous. The percentage of histiocytes/macrophages was significantly higher in vitreous (median 62.1) in comparison with blood (median 5.5; P<0.0001). No lymphocytes were detected in vitreous of the control group. There were more T lymphocytes in vitreous from patients with active PDR. No association between cells in the vitreous and visual acuity improvement after surgery was found. In conclusion, T lymphocytes are found in vitreous from patients with PDR and reflect the activity of PDR but do not seem to predict visual prognosis. Higher CD4/CD8 ratio in vitreous compared to blood from patients with PDR is consistent with local inflammatory response in PDR