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…
Standardized Map of Iodine Status in Europe
Background: Knowledge about the population's iodine status is important, because it allows adjustment of iodine supply and prevention of iodine deficiency. The validity and comparability of iodine-related population studies can be improved by standardization, which was one of the goals of the EUthyroid project. The aim of this study was to establish the first standardized map of iodine status in Europe by using standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) data. Materials and Methods: We established a gold-standard laboratory in Helsinki measuring UIC by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A total of 40 studies from 23 European countries provided 75 urine samples covering the wh…
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy: a national cross-sectional survey in Latvia
AbstractObjectiveLow iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which results in inadequate fetal brain development. In the absence of a universal salt iodization programme, we conducted a nationwide survey of iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia.DesignA countrywide twenty-cluster survey, with at least twenty women per cluster. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary habits concerning iodine intake (n 739). Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and thyroperoxidase antibodies) was measured (n 550). Urinary iodine was measured using the ammonium persulfate method (n 696).SettingThe survey was performed in all regions of Latvia duri…
Diabetes is Associated with Higher Trimethylamine N-oxide Plasma Levels
Recent studies have revealed strong associations between systemic trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. In addition, plasma L-carnitine levels in patients with high TMAO concentrations predicted an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and incident major adverse cardiac events. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between TMAO and L-carnitine plasma levels and diabetes. Blood plasma samples were collected from 12 and 20 weeks old db/db mice and patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Diabetic compared to non-diabetic db/L mice presented 10-fold higher TMAO, but lower L-carnitine plasma concentrations at 12 …
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-…
Seasonal Iodine Deficiency in Latvian School Children
Glycaemic control of Type 1 diabetes in clinical practice early in the 21st century: an international comparison
AimsImproving glycaemic control in people with Type1 diabetes is known to reduce complications. Our aim was to compare glycaemic control among people with Type1 diabetes using data gathered in regional or national registries. MethodsData were obtained for children and/or adults with Type1 diabetes from the following countries (or regions): Western Australia, Austria, Denmark, England, Champagne-Ardenne (France), Germany, Epirus, Thessaly and Thessaloniki (Greece), Galway (Ireland), several Italian regions, Latvia, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Otago (New Zealand), Norway, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Volyn (Ukraine), USA and Wales) from population or clinic-based registries. The sampl…
Determination of trimethylamine-N-oxide in combination withl-carnitine andγ-butyrobetaine in human plasma by UPLC/MS/MS
An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) simultaneously with TMAO-related molecules L-carnitine and γ-butyrobetaine (GBB) in human blood plasma. The separation of analytes was achieved using a Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-type column with ammonium acetate-acetonitrile as the mobile phase. TMAO determination was validated according to valid US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The developed method was successfully applied to plasma samples from healthy volunteers.