Molecular Weight Dependent Glucose Lowering Effect of Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Oligosaccharide (GO2KA1) on Postprandial Blood Glucose Level in SD Rats Model

Abstract This research investigated the effect of enzymatically digested low molecular weight (MW) chitosan oligosaccharide on type 2 diabetes prevention. Three different chitosan oligosaccharide samples with varying MW were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of rat small intestinal α-glucosidase and porcine pancreatic α-amylase (GO2KA1; \u3c1000 Da, GO2KA2; 1000–10,000 Da, GO2KA3; MW \u3e 10,000 Da). The in vitro results showed that all tested samples had similar rat α-glucosidase inhibitory and porcine α-amylase inhibitory activity. Based on these observations, we decided to further investigate the effect of all three samples at a dose of 0.1 g/kg, on reducing postprandial blood glucose levels in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model after sucrose loading test. In the animal trial, all tested samples had postprandial blood glucose reduction effect, when compared to control, however GO2KA1 supplementation had the strongest effect. The glucose peak (Cmax) for GO2KA1 and control was 152 mg/dL and 193 mg/dL, respectively. The area under the blood glucose-time curve (AUC) for GO2KA1 and control was 262 h mg/dL and 305 h mg/dL, respectively. Furthermore, the time of peak plasma concentration of blood glucose (Tmax) for GO2KA1 was significantly delayed (0.9 h) compared to control (0.5 h). These results suggest that GO2KA1 could have a beneficial effect for blood glucose management relevant to diabetes prevention in normal and pre-diabetic individuals. The suggested mechanism of action is via inhibition of the carbohydrate hydrolysis enzyme α-glucosidase and since GO2KA1 (MW \u3c 1000 Da) had higher in vivo effect, we hypothesize that it is more readily absorbed and might exert further biological effect once it is absorbed in the blood stream, relevant to blood glucose management

The submucosal fibrosis: what does it mean for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection?

Background/AimsEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows removal of colorectal epithelial neoplasms en bloc regardless of size. Colorectal ESD is a difficult procedure because of technical difficulties and risks of complications. This study aimed to assess the relationship between ESD outcome and degree of submucosal fibrosis.MethodsPatients with colorectal tumors undergoing ESD and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. The degree of submucosal fibrosis was classified into three types. The relationship between ESD outcome and degree of submucosal fibrosis was analyzed.ResultsESD was performed in 158 patients. Thirty-eight cases of F0 (no) fibrosis (24.1%) and 46 cases of F2 (severe) fibrosis (29.1%) were observed. Complete resection was achieved for 138 lesions (87.3%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that submucosal invasion of tumor and histology of carcinoma were independent risk factors for F2 fibrosis. Severe fibrosis was an independent risk factor for incomplete resection.ConclusionsSevere fibrosis is an important factor related to incomplete resection during colorectal ESD. In cases of severe fibrosis, the rate of complete resection was low even when ESD was performed by an experienced operator. Evaluation of submucosal fibrosis may be helpful to predict the submucosal invasion of tumors and technical difficulties in ESD

Effect of Long-Term Dietary Arginyl-Fructose (AF) on Hyperglycemia and HbA1c in Diabetic db/db Mice

We have previously reported that Amadori compounds exert anti-diabetic effects by lowering sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in normal Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present study we extended our recent findings to evaluate whether α-glucosidase inhibitor arginyl-fructose (AF) lowers blood glucose level in diabetic db/db mice, a genetic model for type 2 diabetes. The db/db mice were randomly assigned to high-carbohydrate diets (66.1% corn starch) with and without AF (4% in the diet) for 6 weeks. Changes in body weight, blood glucose level, and food intake were measured daily for 42 days. Dietary supplementation of AF resulted in a significant decrease of blood glucose level (p \u3c 0.001) and body weight (p \u3c 0.001). The level of HbA1c, a better indicator of plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time, was also significantly decreased for 6-week period (p \u3c 0.001). Dietary treatment of acarbose® (0.04% in diet), a positive control, also significantly alleviated the level of blood glucose, HbA1c, and body weight. These results indicate that AF Maillard reaction product improves postprandial hyperglycemia by suppressing glucose absorption as well as decreasing HbA1c level

Effect of Long-Term Dietary Arginyl-Fructose (AF) on Hyperglycemia and HbA1c in Diabetic \u3cem\u3edb/db\u3c/em\u3e Mice

We have previously reported that Amadori compounds exert anti-diabetic effects by lowering sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in normal Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present study we extended our recent findings to evaluate whether α-glucosidase inhibitor arginyl-fructose (AF) lowers blood glucose level in diabetic db/db mice, a genetic model for type 2 diabetes. The db/db mice were randomly assigned to high-carbohydrate diets (66.1% corn starch) with and without AF (4% in the diet) for 6 weeks. Changes in body weight, blood glucose level, and food intake were measured daily for 42 days. Dietary supplementation of AF resulted in a significant decrease of blood glucose level (p \u3c 0.001) and body weight (p \u3c 0.001). The level of HbA1c, a better indicator of plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time, was also significantly decreased for 6-week period (p \u3c 0.001). Dietary treatment of acarbose® (0.04% in diet), a positive control, also significantly alleviated the level of blood glucose, HbA1c, and body weight. These results indicate that AF Maillard reaction product improves postprandial hyperglycemia by suppressing glucose absorption as well as decreasing HbA1c level

Anti-atherosclerotic vaccination against Porphyromonas gingivalis as a potential comparator of statin in mice

Background Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is an oral anaerobe which damages teeth and periodontal tissues. Its body infection is known to cause chronic inflammation, thereby inducing an early stage of atherosclerosis through humoral immune actions. Hence, vaccination by immunizing the proteins of P. gingivalis (Pg) post sonication with heating may prevent atherosclerosis. This study aimed to compare the effect of its vaccination with statin, which effectively prevents atherosclerosis by lowering lipids. Methods The vaccine was produced by sonicating P. gingivalis through heating, and a total of 32 male APOE-/-mice (8-week old) were subjected Western diet for 8 weeks, in order to induce atherosclerosis in a physiological manner. Then, the mice were grouped to undergo four treatment conditions (i.e., no treatment, pitavastatin, vaccine, or pitavastatin with vaccine). Vaccination was conducted through nasal immunization and confirmed by a Pg-specific humoral immune reaction. Then, half of the mice in each group were orally injected with P. gingivalis for the next 5 weeks while the other half remained uninfected, generating a total of eight groups (n = 4/group). The mice were sacrificed at 3 weeks after the last injection. After harvesting the aorta, Oil Red O staining of en face was conducted with imaging and image analysis, and plaque formation was quantitatively determined. Results Compared to no treatment, the vaccination through nasal immunization significantly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque sizes in APOE -/- mice under Western diet to the comparable level of statin group. When both vaccine and statin were used, no clear synergistic effect was observed as opposed to expectation. Conclusions This study revealed that nasal immunization of heat shock P. gingivalis has a significant impact on the prevention of arteriosclerosis and acts as a potential comparator of statin

Heart Rate Variability and Urinary Catecholamines from Job Stress in Korean Male Manufacturing Workers According to Work Seniority

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between job stress and indicators of autonomic nervous system activity in employees of the manufacturing industry. A total of 140 employees from a company that manufactures consumer goods (i.e., diapers and paper towels) were recruited for participation in this study. Job stress was assessed using Karasek`s Job Content Questionnaire. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using a heart rate monitor, and urinary catecholamines were measured by an HPLC-ECD. Information on demographic characteristics, previous job history, smoking status and alcohol consumption was also collected. Job stress did not have a significant effect on HRV or catecholamines. However, low-frequency HRV was significantly higher in the high-strain group of subjects with a short duration of employment. Low- and high-frequency HRV were higher in the high-strain group than in the low-strain group, but these differences were not statistically significant. The results of the present study indicate that low-frequency HRV was significantly higher in the high-strain group of subjects with a short duration of employment. In addition, the results of this study show that HRV can be used as a potential physiologic indicator of job stress in employees with a short duration of employment.Schubert C, 2009, BIOL PSYCHOL, V80, P325, DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2008.11.005Mitoma M, 2008, PROG NEURO-PSYCHOPH, V32, P679, DOI 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.11.011Burr RL, 2007, SLEEP, V30, P913Collins SM, 2005, AM J IND MED, V48, P182, DOI 10.1002/ajim.20204Kang MG, 2004, YONSEI MED J, V45, P838Sztajzel J, 2004, SWISS MED WKLY, V134, P514Towa S, 2004, EXP ANIM TOKYO, V53, P137, DOI 10.1538/expanim.53.137Bunker SJ, 2003, MED J AUSTRALIA, V178, P272Peter R, 2002, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V56, P294VANGELOVA K, 2002, CENT EUR J PUBL HEAL, V10, P149HA M, 2001, STANDARDIZATION DEVvan Amelsvoort LGPM, 2000, INT ARCH OCC ENV HEA, V73, P255Goldstein IB, 1999, PSYCHOSOM MED, V61, P387PIERCECCHIMARTI MD, 1999, MED LAW, V18, P125Sluiter JK, 1998, OCCUP ENVIRON MED, V55, P407KARASEK R, 1998, J OCCUP HEALTH PSYCH, V3, P322ROVERE MTL, 1998, LANCET, V351, P478Sloan RP, 1996, PSYCHOSOM MED, V58, P25VANDERBEEK AJ, 1995, OCCUP ENVIRON MED, V52, P464HUIKURI HV, 1993, CIRCULATION, V87, P1220PAGANI M, 1991, J AUTONOM NERV SYST, V35, P33PAGANI M, 1991, CIRCULATION, V83, P1143PEASTON RT, 1988, J CHROMATOGR-BIOMED, V424, P263

Renal transplantation in a patient with Bartter syndrome and glomerulosclerosis

Bartter syndrome (BS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous inherited renal tube disorder characterized by renal salt wasting, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and normotensive hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism. There have been several case reports of BS complicated by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, we have reported the case of a BS patient who developed FSGS and subsequent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and provided a brief literature review. The patient presented with classic BS at 3 months of age and developed proteinuria at 7 years. Renal biopsy performed at 11 years of age revealed a FSGS perihilar variant. Hemodialysis was initiated at 11 years of age, and kidney transplantation was performed at 16 years of age. The post-transplantation course has been uneventful for more than 3 years with complete disappearance of BS without the recurrence of FSGS. Genetic study revealed a homozygous p.Trp(TGG)610Stop(TGA) mutation in the CLCNKB gene. In summary, BS may be complicated by secondary FSGS due to the adaptive response to chronic salt-losing nephropathy, and FSGS may progress to ESRD in some patients. Renal transplantation in patients with BS and ESRD results in complete remission of BS

Bilateral iliac and popliteal arterial thrombosis in a child with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Thromboembolic complications (TECs) are clinically important sequelae of nephrotic syndrome (NS). The incidence of TECs in children is approximately 2%–5%. The veins are the most commonly affected sites, particularly the deep veins in the legs, the inferior vena cava, the superior vena cava, and the renal veins. Arterial thrombosis, which is less common, typically occurs in the cerebral, pulmonary, and femoral arteries, and is associated with the use of steroids and diuretics. Popliteal artery thrombosis in children has been described in cases of traumatic dissection, osteochondroma, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and fibromuscular dysplasia. We report of a 33-month-old girl with bilateral iliac and popliteal arterial thrombosis associated with steroid-resistant NS due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Her treatment involved thrombectomy and intravenous heparinization, followed by oral warfarin for 8 months. Herein, we report a rare case of spontaneous iliac and popliteal arterial thrombosis in a young child with NS

Could Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test be Useful in Predicting Inhaled Corticosteroid Responsiveness in Chronic Cough? A Systematic Review

© 2016 Background Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a safe and convenient test for assessing T H 2 airway inflammation, which is potentially useful in the management of patients with chronic cough. Objective To summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic usefulness of FENO for predicting inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) responsiveness in patients with chronic cough. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles published in peer-reviewed journals up to February 2015, without language restriction. We included studies that reported the usefulness of FENO (index test) for predicting ICS responsiveness (reference standard) in patients with chronic cough (target condition). The data were extracted to construct a 2 × 2 accuracy table. Study quality was assessed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Results We identified 5 original studies (2 prospective and 3 retrospective studies). We identified considerable heterogeneities in study design and outcome definitions, and thus were unable to perform a meta-analysis. The proportion of ICS responders ranged from 44% to 59%. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 53% to 90%, and from 63% to 97%, respectively. The reported area under the curve ranged from abou t 0.60 to 0.87; however, studies with a prospective design and a lower prevalence of asthma had lower area under the curve values. None measured placebo effects or objective cough frequency. Conclusions We did not find strong evidence to support the use of FENO tests for predicting ICS responsiveness in chronic cough. Further studies need to have a randomized, placebo-controlled design, and should use validated measurement tools for cough. Standardization would facilitate the development of clinical evidence