An Association Between the Intestinal Permeability Biomarker Zonulin and the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives:Increased intestinal permeability (IP) and gut microbiota dysbiosis have been implicated in low-grade chronic inflammation, which is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aims to demonstrate the relationship between the IP biomarker zonulin and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and Methods:This study was conducted with a total of 89 T2DM patients, including 33 non-DR, 28 with nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and 28 with proliferative DR (PDR), and 32 healthy controls. Zonulin levels were determined from blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.Results:There was no difference between the four groups in terms of age (p=0.236), gender (p=0.952), and body mass index (p=0.134) of the participants. Zonulin levels were significantly higher in the PDR group compared to the other three groups, as well as in the non-DR and NPDR groups compared to the control group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, zonulin was found to be an independent predictor of DR (odds ratio: 1,781, 95% confidence interval: 1,122-2,829, p=0.014).Conclusion:Our study showed that elevated zonulin levels may play a significant role in the development of DR, particularly during the transition to the proliferative stage. This suggests that regulation of IP could be one of the targets of DR treatment. More studies are needed to determine whether a eubiotic gut microbiota and IP have a direct relationship with DR

Attenuated cardiovascular response to sympathetic system activation during exercise in patients with dialysis-induced hypotension

Background: We wished to investigate potential causes of dialysis-induced hypotension (DIH), including the attenuated cardiovascular response to sympathetic system activation during exercise and myocardial dysfunction. Methods: This study included 26 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with DIH, 30 ESRD patients without DIH (Non-DIH), and 30 control subjects. Each patient was evaluated with echocardiography and a symptom-limited treadmill stress test. The chronotropic index (CRI), heart rate recovery (HRR), systolic blood pressure response to exercise (SBP response), and tissue Doppler systolic myocardial velocities were calculated. Results: The HRR and velocities were reduced in dialysis patients compared to controls; however, they were similar in patients with and without DIH. Patients with DIH had the lowest CRI compared to theNon-DIH group (0.62 ± 0.15 vs. 0.73 ± 0.17, p = 0.020) and controls (0.62 ± 0.15 vs. 0.86 ± 0.11, p < 0.001). Similarly, patients with DIH had the lowest SBP response values compared to the Non-DIH (34.88 ± 15.01 vs. 55.67 ± 25.42, p = 0.002) and controls (34.88 ± 15.01 vs. 59.70 ± 23.04, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with DIH have inadequate sympathetic activity of the cardiovascular system during exercise and impaired left ventricular systolic function. Both factors could contribute to the development of hypotension during hemodialysis