The SNARE Protein SNAP23 and the SNARE-Interacting Protein Munc18c in Human Skeletal Muscle Are Implicated in Insulin Resistance/Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE-Our previous studies suggest that the SNARE protein synaptosomal-associated protein of 23 kDa (SNAP23) is involved in the link between increased lipid levels and insulin resistance in cardiomyocytes. The objective was to determine whether SNAP23 may also be involved in the known association between lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes in humans, as well as to identify a potential regulator of SNAP23. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-We analyzed skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy, insulin-sensitive control subjects for expression (mRNA and protein) and intracellular localization (subcellular fractionation and immunohistochemistry) of SNAP23, and for expression of proteins known to interact with SNARE proteins. Insulin resistance was determined by a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp Potential mechanisms for regulation of SNAP23 were also investigated in the skeletal muscle cell line L6. RESULTS-We showed increased SNAP23 levels in skeletal muscle from patients with type 2 diabetes compared with that from lean control subjects Moreover, SNAP23 was redistributed from the plasma membrane to the microsomal/cytosolic compartment in the patients with the type 2 diabetes Expression of the SNARE-interacting protein Munc18c was higher in skeletal muscle from patients with type 2 diabetes Studies in L6 cells showed that Munc18c promoted the expression of SNAP23. CONCLUSIONS-We have translated our previous in vitro results into humans by showing that there is a change in the distribution of SNAP23 to the interior of the cell in skeletal muscle from patients with type 2 diabetes. We also showed that Munc18c is a potential regulator of SNAP23. Diabetes 59: 1870-1878, 201

Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) treatment in routine care of patients with advanced Parkinsons disease: An open-label prospective observational study of effectiveness, tolerability and healthcare costs

Background: Continuous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) can effectively manage motor and non-motor complications in advanced Parkinsons disease (PD). Healthcare costs, quality of life (QoL), effectiveness, and tolerability were assessed in routine care treatment with LCIG. Methods: The seventy-seven patients enrolled in this prospective, open-label, 3-year study in routine medical care were LCIG-naive (N = 37), or had previous LCIG treatment for amp;lt;2 (N = 22), or amp;gt;= 2 (N = 18) years. Healthcare costs were collected monthly. PD symptoms and QoL were assessed with the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), 39-item Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and EuroQoL 5-Dimension Visual Analog Scale (EQ-5D VAS); LCIG dose, safety, and tolerability were monitored. Results: Mean monthly costs per patient ( 8226 5952) were similar across cohorts, remained steady during 3-year follow-up, and increased with PD severity and QoL impairment. In LCIG-naive patients, significant improvements compared to baseline were observed on the UPDRS total score and PDQ-39 summary index score through 18 months (n = 24; UPDRS, p = 0.033; PDQ-39, p = 0.049). Symptom control was maintained during 3-year follow-up in LCIG-experienced cohorts. Small changes in mean daily LCIG dose were observed. Adverse events were common and generally related to the device, procedure, levodopa, or laboratory evaluations. Conclusions: Costs in LCIG-treated patients were stable over 3 years. LCIG treatment led to significant improvements in motor function and QoL over 18 months in LCIG-naive patients and no worsening was observed in LCIG-experienced patients over 3 years despite natural PD progression over time. The longterm safety was consistent with the established LCIG profile. (C) 2016 AbbVie Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Funding Agencies|AbbVie Inc.</p

Safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular PDGF-BB in Parkinson's disease patients

BACKGROUND. Recombinant human PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) reduces Parkinsonian symptoms and increases dopamine transporter (DAT) binding in several animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Effects of rhPDGF-BB are the result of proliferation of ventricular wall progenitor cells and reversed by blocking mitosis. Based on these restorative effects, we assessed the safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) rhPDGF-BB administration in individuals with PD. METHODS. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I/IIa study at two clinical centers in Sweden. Twelve patients with moderate PD received rhPDGF-BB via an implanted drug infusion pump and an investigational i.c.v. catheter. Patients were assigned to a dose cohort (0.2, 1.5, or 5 mu g rhPDGF-BB per day) and then randomized to active treatment or placebo (3:1) for a 12-day treatment period. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability of i.c.v.-delivered rhPDGF-BB. Secondary outcome assessments included several clinical rating scales and changes in DAT binding. The follow-up period was 85 days. RESULTS. All patients completed the study. There were no unresolved adverse events. Serious adverse events occurred in three patients; however, these were unrelated to rhPDGF-BB administration. Secondary outcome parameters did not show dose-dependent changes in clinical rating scales, but there was a positive effect on DAT binding in the right putamen. CONCLUSION. At all doses tested, i.c.v. administration of rhPDGF-BB was well tolerated. Results support further clinical development of rhPDGF-BB for patients with PD