Ceramides: focus on obesity

It is generally known that obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A pathological increase in the mass of adipose tissue leads to a violation of the control of lipid accumulation at the molecular level, abnormal lipid metabolism with the formation of metabolites, which are critical for the development of these pathologies against the background of obesity. Ceramides are one of these metabolites. Ceramides perform many physiological functions, but under pathological conditions they induce insulin resistance, uncouple cellular respiration and phosphorylation, activate cell apoptosis, and play an important role in the induction of adipose tissue dysfunction. Altering ceramide biosynthesis through dysregulation of key enzymes leads to the formation and accumulation of ceramides, which block insulin signaling and induce adipose tissue inflammation.This review highlights the metabolism of ceramides, the reasons for their ectopic deposition in tissues in obesity, as well as potential intracellular signaling pathways that modulate ceramide activity

Electrochemical study of semiconductor properties for bismuth silicate-based photocatalysts obtained via hydro-/solvothermal approach

Three bismuth silicate-based photocatalysts (composites of Bi2SiO5 and Bi12SiO20) prepared via the hydro-/solvothermal approach were studied using electrochemical methods. The characteristic parameters of semiconductors, such as flat band potential, donor density, and mobility of their charge carriers, were obtained and compared with the materials’ photocatalytic activity. An attempt was made to study the effect of solution components on the semiconductor/liquid interface (SLI). In particular, the Mott–Schottky characterization was made in a common model electrolyte (Na2SO4) and with the addition of glycerol as a model organic compound for photocatalysis. Thus, a medium close to those in photocatalytic experiments was simulated, at least within the limits allowed by electrochemical measurements. Zeta-potential measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to reveal the processes taking place at the SLI. It was found that the medium in which measurements were carried out dramatically impacted the results. The flat band potential values (Efb) obtained via the Mott–Schottky technique were shown to differ significantly depending on the solution used in the experiment, which is explained by different processes taking place at the SLI. A strong influence of specific adsorption of commonly used sulfate ions and neutral molecules on the measured values of Efb was shown

The role of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus for poor in-hospital prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: The management of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who need myocardial revascularization is a great challenge. Aims: To study the role of newly diagnosed T2DM in the development of in-hospital adverse outcomes after coronary artery surgery (CABG). Methods: 708 consecutive patients underwent CABG were included. All patients without history of T2DM and with border fasting hyperglycemia underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Results: The screening allowed to diagnose T2DM in 8.9% and prediabetes in 10.4% of the study population. The the number of patients with T2DM increased from 15.2% to 24.1%, and with prediabetes from 3.0% to 13.4%. The total number of patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders increased from 18.2% to 37.5%. The trend towards higher rate of in-hospital complications after CABG was defined among patients with newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed T2DM. The regression analysis demonstrated the presence of the relationships between the previously diagnosed T2DM and the total number of significant complications (odds ratio (OR) 1.350, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0571.723, p=0.020) and prolonged in-hospital stay (OR 1.609, 95%CI 1.2022.155, p=0.001). The significance of these relationships increased with the addition of newly diagnosed T2DM to the regression model (for in-hospital complications: OR 1.731, 95% CI 1.1312.626, p=0.012; for prolonged in-hospital stay: OR 2.229, 95%CI 1.4123.519, p0.001). Moreover, additional associations between T2DM and the risk of developing multiple organ dysfunction (OR 2.911, 95% CI 1.0727.901, p=0.039), urgent lower extremity surgery (OR 1.638, 95%CI 1.00915.213, p=0.020) and the need for extracorporeal correction of hemostasis (OR 3.472, 95%CI 1.04211.556, p=0.044) have been defined. Importantly, the presence of these associations would not have been identified without including newly diagnosed DM in the regression model. Conclusion: The newly diagnosed T2DM affects the prognosis of CABG as well as the previously diagnosed T2DM. The obtained results suggest the importance of active preoperative T2DM screening

Effects of Physical Prehabilitation on the Dynamics of the Markers of Endothelial Function in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Bypass Surgery

Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of physical training performed before CABG on the perioperative dynamics of the serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) of patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Patients in the preoperative period were randomized into two groups: the training group (n = 43) underwent high-intensity treadmill training; the patients in the control group (n = 35) received no training before the procedure. The serum concentrations of ADMA and ET-1 were determined in the perioperative period, and the course of the early postoperative period was analyzed. In the training group, we found a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications during hospital stays (p = 0.013). At the end of the training program, the ADMA levels were 1.8 times higher in the controls than in the training group (p = 0.001). We found that type 2 diabetes increased the probability of complications by 12 times (OR: 12.3; 95% CI: 1.24–121.5; p = 0.03), as well as elevating the concentration of ET-1 on the eve of surgery (OR: 10.7; 95% CI: 1.4–81.3; p = 0.02). Physical prehabilitation reduced the likelihood of complications nine times (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02–0.83; p = 0.03). The AUC was 0.851 ± 0.07 (95% CI: 0.71–0.98). The obtained results indicate the benefit of physical training during the prehabilitation stage since it can help to preserve endothelial function

Biochemical markers of type 2 diabetes as a late complication of myocardial infarction: a case-control study

Introduction : On average, 19–23% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is newly diagnosed in a significant number of patients. Both classic carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism may be promising diagnostic markers for insulin resistance in acute coronary syndrome. Material and methods : Two hundred patients (130 males and 70 females aged 61.4 ±1.12 years) with ST-segment elevation MI were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on manifestations of diabetes: (1) 171 patients without diabetes within 1 year after MI; and (2) 29 patients with manifestations of diabetes. The control group comprised 33 people without diseases of the cardiovascular system and diabetes and was matched by age and gender with patients. Results : In patients with an imbalanced adipokine state during the acute phase of MI, we noted an increased concentration of free fatty acids (p > 0.05) and reduced ghrelin levels and activation of the proinflammatory and thrombotic potentials of blood plasma. Patients who developed diabetes 1 year after MI showed hospital stays with more pronounced changes in the study parameters. Conclusions : The most informative biochemical parameters associated with the development of diabetes at 1 year after MI were adiponectin, retinol protein, ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor , and plasminogen activator inhibitor

Factors associated with in-hospital mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with CHD and type 2 diabetes

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the main method used for myocardial revascularisation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and determining the factors affecting the outcomes of CABG in these patients is important. Objective. To identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality after coronary artery surgery (CABG) for patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent CABG from 2006 to 2009 was conducted. From these, 317 patients with T2DM were selected (median age: 59,0 years). As a control group, 350 patients (median age: 58,0 years) without diabetes or pre-diabetes, who were matched by sex, age and CABG characteristics, were selected. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors possibly associated with in-hospital mortality. Results. There were no group differences for the frequency of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality (p >0,05). During the early postoperative period, 5 (1,6%) diabetic and 7 (2,0%) non-diabetic patients died (p=0,682). By the logistic regression analysis, T2DM did not predict patient mortality (p=0,458). Among the patients with T2DM, a risk of death was associated with a stroke history (OR 21,661; 95% CI 1,701-76,521; р=0,013), and a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (OR 1,512 per 5 ml/min/1,73m2.  decrease; 95% CI 1,017-2,257; р=0,048), independent of gender, age or triple-vessel and left-main disease. By multivariate analysis for the non-diabetic patients, the risk of death increased by more than 10 times because of reinfarction (OR=10,272; 95% CI: 1,258?56,163; p=0,029) and increased by 6,8 times with an increase in preoperative fibrinogen levels of 1 g/l (OR=6,802; 95% CI: 1,283?35,714; p=0,024), independent of gender, age, smoking or mitral valve regurgitation. Conclusions. T2DM was not a predictor of death during the early period after CABG. For the diabetic patients, independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after CABG were stroke history and reduced GFR. For the patients without T2DM, the independent predictors were reinfarction and preoperative fibrinogen levels

Relationships between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and adipo-fibrokine indicator profiles post-myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Determination of the impact of visceral obesity and epicardial adipose tissue thickness on stimulating growth factor levels during hospitalization for myocardial infarction is of potential importance for predicting outcomes and assessing the development of cardiofibrotic changes associated with maladaptive myocardial remodeling. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationships between epicardial adipose tissue thickness, adipokine profiles, and the stimulating growth factor 2/interleukin-33 signaling system during hospitalization for myocardial infarction, and with the cardiac fibrosis extent 1-year post-MI in patients with visceral obesity. Methods Eighty-eight patients with myocardial infarction were grouped based on their visceral obesity. Serum leptin, adiponectin, stimulating growth factor 2, and interleukin-33 levels were measured on days 1 and 12 and at 1 year. The epicardial adipose tissue widths and the cardiac fibrosis areas were measured on day 12 and at 1 year. Results Visceral obesity was associated with epicardial adipose tissue thickness increases, adipokine imbalances, elevated leptin levels, and lower adiponectin levels during early hospitalization, and cardiac fibrosis development. Patients without visceral obesity had higher interleukin-33 and stimulating growth factor 2 levels during early hospitalization and lower cardiac fibrosis rates. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was positively associated with cardiac fibrosis prevalence and interleukin-33 levels and negatively associated with stimulating growth factor 2 levels. The cardiac fibrosis extent was negatively associated with interleukin-33 levels and positively associated with stimulating growth factor 2 levels. Conclusions Increases in epicardial adipose tissue thickness are associated with cardiac fibrosis development 1-year post-myocardial infarction and are higher in patients with visceral obesity. The metabolic activity of the epicardial adipose tissue is associated with elevated interleukin-33 and reduced stimulating growth factor 2 levels