Association of reduced glyoxalase 1 activity and painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract Aims The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) enzyme activity and painful diabetic neuropathy (DN) in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods Glo1 activity and biochemical markers were determined in blood samples from 108 patients with type 1 diabetes, 109 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 132 individuals without diabetes as a control. Painful and painless peripheral DN was assessed and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine independent association of Glo1 activity with occurrence of painful DN. Results In patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and painful DN compared to patients with painless DN, Glo1…

Flow cytometric analysis of glyoxalase-1 expression in human leukocytes.

Altered glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) activity and expression is associated with the development of late diabetic complications, malignancy and oxidative stress- and aging-related diseases. In the present study, we developed a flow cytometry method for GLO-1 detection in human leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood samples to investigate GLO-1 expression in leukocyte subsets from type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus patients (n = 11) and healthy subjects (n = 8). The flow cytometry analysis of GLO-1 in leukocytes showed that expression index of GLO-1-positive cells was slightly increased in mononuclear leukocytes from diabetic patients. This result correlated with the increase in GLO-1 activity in the …

Mildronate, the inhibitor of l-carnitine transport, induces brain mitochondrial uncoupling and protects against anoxia-reoxygenation

Abstract The preservation of mitochondrial function is essential for normal brain function after ischaemia-reperfusion injury. l -carnitine is a cofactor involved in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism. Recently, it has been shown that mildronate, an inhibitor of l -carnitine transport, improves neurological outcome after ischaemic damage of brain tissues. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mitochondria targeted neuroprotective action of mildronate in the model of anoxia-reoxygenation-induced injury. Wistar rats were treated daily with mildronate ( per os ; 100 mg/kg) for 14 days. The acyl-carnitine profile was determined in the brain tissues. Mitochondrial respirati…

A cross-sectional survey of urinary iodine status in Latvia

Background and objective: A nationwide survey of schoolchildren was conducted to detect regional differences in urinary iodine excretion in Latvia and to compare the results with data from the newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screening database as well with the results of a similar study performed in Latvia 10 years ago. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional school-based cluster survey of 915 children aged 9–12 years in 46 randomly selected schools in all regions of Latvia. Urine samples, questionnaires on the consumption of iodized salt and information on socioeconomic status were collected. TSH levels in newborns were also measured. Results: The median creatinine-…

Anti-diabetic effects of mildronate alone or in combination with metformin in obese Zucker rats

Abstract Mildronate is a cardioprotective drug, the mechanism of action of which is based on the regulation of l -carnitine concentration. We studied the metabolic effects of treatment with mildronate, metformin and a combination of the two in the Zucker rat model of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. Zucker rats were p.o. treated daily with mildronate (200 mg/kg), metformin (300 mg/kg), and a combination of both drugs for 4 weeks. Weight gain and plasma metabolites reflecting glucose metabolism were measured. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-γ and target genes was measured in rat heart and liver tissues. Each treatment decreased the blood …

Seasonal Iodine Deficiency in Latvian School Children