bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of apoptosis in patients with diabetic nephropathy: A study on plasma soluble Fas levels and pathological findings
Authors: BABA KAORI , MINATOGUCHI SHINYA , SANO HIROTAKE , KAGAWA TOMOYO , MURATA ICHIJIRO , TAKEMURA GENZOU , HIRANO TAKAHIRO , OHASHI HIROSHIGE , TAKEMURA MASAO , FUJIWARA TAKAKO , FUJIWARA HISAYOSHI 
Published: March 2004

SUMMARY:Aims:  We investigated the relationship between levels of plasma soluble Fas (sFas) and stages of diabetic nephropathy, with special reference to apoptosis and clinical features of diabetic nephropathy in 168 patients with diabetic nephropathy.Results:  There was a positive correlation between plasma sFas and creatinine levels, between sFas levels and urinary protein levels, and between sFas levels and urinary albumin. There was a negative correlation between plasma sFas levels and creatinine clearance. Plasma sFas levels in the early stage (stages 1, 2, 3A) and advanced stage (stages 3B and 4) were 2.6 ± 0.1 and 5.4 ± 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. Plasma sFas level of the advanced stage was significantly higher than that of the early stage. The number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells was significantly lower in the advanced stage than in the early stage. The number of in situ nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) positive cells was also significantly lower in the advanced stage than in the early stage, suggesting the suppression of apoptosis.Conclusion:  These data suggest that apoptosis is involved in the advancement of diabetic nephropathy, and that plasma sFas level might be a predicting factor for prognosis.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in long‐term dialysis patients
Authors: NAKAJIMA FUMITAKA , SAKAGUCHI MASAHIRO , OKA HIROSHI , KAWASE YOSHIO , SHIBAHARA NOBUHISA , INOUE TORU , UEDA HARUHIKO , KATSUOKA YOJI 
Published: March 2004

SUMMARY:Background:  Helicobacter pylori has been reported to play an important role in the development of gastritis and gastric ulcer.Methods:  This study included 168 patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD; 30 non‐dialysis patients, 138 patients receiving dialysis; mean duration of dialysis: 57.3 ± 61.7 months) and 138 control volunteers. We investigated the prevalence of H. pylori infection by measuring H. pylori antibody (IgG) levels.Results:  The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 62.3% in the control group, 53.3% in the non‐dialysis patients, and 36.9% in the dialysis patients. The percentage decreased with a reduction of renal function. In addition, the proportion of H. pylori‐positive patients decreased with the duration of dialysis, and the antibody titre was also significantly decreased. There was no association between long‐term oral administration of H2RA (H2 receptor antagonist) and the incidence of H. pylori infection.Conclusion:  Among dialysis patients, the proportion of H. pylori‐positive patients was low. An aetiological factor other than H2RA agents was suggested. Renal failure or dialysis treatment may influence H. pylori infection.
Changes in serum markers of oxidative stress with varying periods of haemodialysis
Authors: KÖKEN TÜLAY , SERTESER MUSTAFA , KAHRAMAN AHMET , GÖKÇE ÇIGDEM , DEMIR SERAP 
Published: March 2004

SUMMARY:Background and Aims:  Oxidative stress possibly helps promote the progression and complications of chronic renal failure (CRF). Haemodialysis (HD) may aggravate oxidative stress. This controlled, cross‐sectional clinical study with blind outcome assessment evaluated the effect of prolonged HD treatment on oxidative stress.Methods and Results:  Seventy patients (M/F =  33/37) with CRF and who were on HD were divided into six groups with differing treatment periods of HD; from 3 to 12 months to 85–120 months. Twelve healthy subjects acted as controls. The serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total sulfhydryl (SH) groups and protein carbonyls (PCs) were determined. Compared with controls, PCs were increased in patients, and this positively correlated with the duration of HD. Treatment for more than 24 months caused the most striking increases in PCs, with relevant differences as compared to those on HD for a maximum of 12 months. Increasing periods of HD were associated with increases in TBARS and similar decreases in SH as compared with controls; the differences between the SH levels of those on HD for more than 84 months and those on HD for up to 24 months were significant.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that HD continued for more than 2 years aggravates the latter. Decreased potential for oxygen‐radical‐scavenger activity becomes pronounced after 7 years of HD treatment.
Genetic polymorphism analysis of cytochrome P4502C19 in Chinese Uigur and Han populations
Authors: Niu Chun Yan , Luo Jin Yan , Hao Zhi Ming 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVE:  To assess the genotype patterns of cytochrome P4502C19 in the Chinese Uigur and Han populations and compare them with other populations.METHODS:  Ninety‐six Uigur and 104 Han healthy, unrelated subjects (Uigur: 51 males, 45 females, aged from 23 to 30 years; Han: 53 males, 51 females, aged from 21 to 26 years) were genotyped for CYP2C19 by the PCR‐RFLP technique to identify the wild‐type (wt) gene and two mutations, CYP2C19m1 in exon5 and CYP2C19m2 in exon 4.RESULTS:  In the Uigur, the incidence of the poor metabolizer phenotype was 4.17% (4 of 96 subjects with m1/m1 genotype) and that of the extensive metabolizer was 95.83% (92 of 96 subjects), consisting of 6 (6.25%) homozygous for CYP2C19wt (wt/wt) in both exon 4 and exon 5, 83 (86.46%) heterozygous for CYP2C19wt and CYP2C19m1 and 3 (3.13%) heterozygous for both wt/m1 and wt/m2. None of the Uigur subjects was homozygous for CYP2C19m2 (m2/m2) or heterozygous for wt/m2 or m1/m2. Thus in the Uigur, the frequency of the CYP2C19m1 allele was 0.4818, the CYP2C19m2 allele was 0.0078, and that of the CYP2C19wt was 0.5104. In the Han, the frequency of the CYP2C19m1 allele was 0.3333, the CYP2C19m2 allele was 0.0686, and the frequency of the CYP2C19wt was 0.6058. CYP2C19m1 was the majority of the two mutations found in the Uigur, which was consistent with the situation in the Han population, and the frequency of the CYP2C19m1 allele was approximately 60‐fold that of the mutant allele CYP2C19m2. On the other hand, there were significant interethnic differences when the Uigur population was compared with other minorities with regard to the CYP2C19 genotype.CONCLUSIONS:  The results indicate that the distribution frequency of the poor and the extensive metabolizers in the Uigur population is significantly lower and higher, respectively (P < 0.025), than in the Han population. There are significant differences between the Uigur and Han populations regarding the CYP2C19 allele frequency, which is consistent with results for the Caucasian population. On the other hand, there are significant interethnic differences when the Uigur population is compared with the Miao and Dai populations.
Effects of a natural extract of (–)‐hydroxycitric acid (HCA‐SX) and a combination of HCA‐SX plus niacin‐bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract on weight loss
Authors: Preuss H. G. , Bagchi D. , Bagchi M. , Rao C. V. S. , Dey D. K. , Satyanarayana S. 
Published: March 2004

Aim:  The efficacy of optimal doses of highly bioavailable (–)‐hydroxycitric acid (HCA‐SX) alone and in combination with niacin‐bound chromium (NBC) and a standardized Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) on weight loss in moderately obese subjects was evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), appetite, lipid profiles, serum leptin and excretion of urinary fat metabolites. HCA‐SX has been shown to reduce appetite, inhibit fat synthesis and decrease body weight without stimulating the central nervous system. NBC has demonstrated its ability to maintain healthy insulin levels, while GSE has been shown to regulate weight loss and blood sugar levels.Methods:  A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled human study was conducted in Elluru, India for 8 weeks in 60 moderately obese subjects (ages 21–50, BMI >26 kg/m2). Subjects were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was administered HCA‐SX 4667 mg, group B was administered a combination of HCA‐SX 4667 mg, NBC 4 mg and GSE 400 mg, while group C was given placebo daily in three equally divided doses 30–60 min before meals. All subjects received a 2000 kcal diet/day and participated in supervised walking.Results:  At the end of 8 weeks, body weight and BMI decreased by 5–6% in both groups A and B. Food intake, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoproteins, triglycerides and serum leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups, while high‐density lipoprotein levels and excretion of urinary fat metabolites increased in both groups. A marginal or non‐significant effect was observed in all parameters in group C.Conclusion:  The present study shows that optimal doses of HCA‐SX and, to a greater degree, the combination of HCA‐SX, NBC and GSE can serve as an effective and safe weight‐loss formula that can facilitate a reduction in excess body weight and BMI, while promoting healthy blood lipid levels.
Smoking cessation and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Iino K. , Iwase M. , Tsutsu N. , Iida M. 
Published: March 2004

Aim:  To elucidate the relationship between glycaemic control, blood pressure and body‐weight change after smoking cessation in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:  We examined HbA1c, blood pressure and body weight in 15 type 2 diabetic patients before, 6 and 12 months after quitting smoking. Sixteen type 2 diabetic patients who did not quit smoking served as control.Results:  Body weight slightly increased after quitting smoking. Although HbA1c levels showed no change in the control group, those in patients who quit smoking significantly increased (6.8 ± 0.3% before quitting smoking; 7.4 ± 0.3% 6 months after quitting smoking, p < 0.05; 7.8 ± 0.4% 12 months after quitting smoking, p < 0.001). Fasting blood glucose also increased in patients who quit smoking. The increase in body weight after quitting smoking did not correlate with the deterioration of glycaemic control. Diastolic blood pressure showed no change in control, whereas that in patients who quit smoking increased at month 12 (69 ± 3 vs. 76 ± 3 mmHg, p < 0.01). The increase in HbA1c at month 12 after quitting smoking correlated with body mass index before quitting smoking (r = 0.72, p < 0.005) and serum triglyceride before quitting smoking (r = 0.68, p < 0.01).Conclusions:  Glycaemic control and diastolic blood pressure deteriorated in type 2 diabetic patients after quitting smoking. Type 2 diabetic patients who want to stop smoking need a caution to prevent deterioration of glycaemic control and blood pressure after quitting smoking.
Strong family history predicts a younger age of onset for subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Molyneaux L. , Constantino M. , Yue D. 
Published: March 2004

Aims:  Age of onset of type 2 diabetes is becoming earlier and with it there is an increase in the development of chronic complications. This study examined the relationship between the strength of family history of diabetes on (i) age of diabetes onset and (ii) prevalence of diabetic complications.Research design and methods:  Data on family history of diabetes and age of diabetes onset were prospectively collected on 5193 subjects. Family members were deemed to include grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts/uncles and children. To adjust for family size and to assess effects of pathway to diagnosis, we also contacted a subset of 180 patients selected on the basis of the strength of family histories of diabetes. A full assessment for diabetic complications including retinopathy, neuropathy and renal and macrovascular status was performed for the total cohort.Results:  The more cases of diabetes found in a family, the younger the age of onset of type 2 diabetes. This phenomenon does not appear to be due to patients with strong family history of diabetes being more concerned about the possibility of having diabetes. The effect of strong family history is also evident in many ethnic groups when examined individually, although they differ from each other in their characteristic age of onset of diabetes. Once adjusted for duration of diabetes, strength of family history does not appear to affect metabolic profiles or prevalence of chronic complications.Conclusions:  There is a strong relationship between the number of affected family members with diabetes and age of developing diabetes. The genetic and environmental factors underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. However, it may be one of the reasons explaining why type 2 diabetes is affecting younger people worldwide.
The effect of valsartan on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Suzuki K. , Kato K. , Soda S. , Kamimura T. , Aizawa Y. 
Published: March 2004

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, valsartan, on echocardiographically proven left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:  Outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited at Niigata University Hospital. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated by echocardiography. LVH was considered to be present if the LVMI was > 131 g/m2 in males and > 100 g/m2 in females. Patients with LVH received a low dose (40 mg/day) of valsartan for 12 months. This low dose had no clinical effect on blood pressure.Results:  Of the 38 patients who entered the study, 14 (36.8%) had LVH. After only 6 months of valsartan therapy, the mean LVMI decreased significantly, from 126.5 ± 27.8 to 119.0 ± 23.5 g/m2 (p < 0.01 vs. baseline). Also, a significant decrease was observed after 12 months (116.5 ± 30.9 g/m2, p < 0.05 vs. baseline). Compared to baseline, there were no significant differences after treatment in body mass index, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.Conclusions:  In type 2 diabetic patients with LVH, treatment with a low dose of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, for 12 months, reduced LVMI, with no reduction in systemic blood pressure. This drug may be safely administered to type 2 diabetic patients with LVH. The long‐term risk‐reduction effects will have to be evaluated in further trials.
Influence of α‐lipoic acid on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system in blood of insulin‐resistant rats
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu V. , Anuradha C. V. 
Published: March 2004

Background:  High fructose feeding induces insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia in rats. A role for oxidative stress in the occurrence of insulin resistance has been suggested by several workers.Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of α‐lipoic acid (LA) on oxidant–antioxidant balance in rats fed on a high‐fructose diet that showed characteristic features of insulin resistance.Methods:  Male Wistar rats weighing 150–170 g were divided into seven groups. The control group received the control diet containing starch. The fructose group was given a high‐fructose diet (>60% of total calories). The third and fourth groups were given fructose diet and were administered two different doses of LA at a low dose (35 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (70 mg/kg body weight) using olive oil as vehicle. The fifth group received fructose diet and olive oil. The sixth group received control diet and was administered LA (70 mg/kg body weight). And, the seventh group received the control diet and olive oil. Products of lipid peroxidation and activities of enzymic antioxidants, namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and glutathione reductase, in red blood cells were assayed. Levels of non‐enzymic antioxidants α‐tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione were determined in plasma.Results:  The levels of lipid peroxides, diene conjugates and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances were significantly higher in fructose‐fed rats. Inadequate antioxidant system was observed in high‐fructose‐fed rats. Treatment of fructose rats mitigated the imbalance between peroxidation and antioxidant defence system at both the doses tested. Increases in glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acids, insulin and insulin resistance were observed in fructose‐fed rats. LA administration prevented these alterations and improved insulin sensitivity. Significant positive correlations were obtained between insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation indices.Conclusions:  Increased lipid peroxidation and deficient antioxidant system are observed in high‐fructose‐fed rats. LA administration preserves the antioxidant system and lowers lipid peroxidation. The findings suggest an interrelationship between lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance.
Lower plasma adiponectin concentration predicts the efficacy of pioglitazone in diabetic patients
Authors: Hiramatsu S. , Tajiri Y. , Karashima T. 
Published: March 2004

Aim:  To investigate clinical efficacy of pioglitazone in association with plasma adiponectin concentration in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:  Ten diabetic patients were treated with 15 or 30 mg of pioglitazone for 8 weeks, and association between plasma adiponectin concentration before treatment and decrease in glycated albumin levels was examined.Results:  Treatment with pioglitazone for 8 weeks lowered glycated albumin level (27.1 ± 1.2 to 23.8 ± 1.4%, p < 0.05), and inverse relationship between changes in glycated albumin and plasma adiponectin concentration before treatment was revealed (r = −0.66, p < 0.05). Plasma adiponectin concentrations of patients whose glycated albumin level reduced by more than 10% of the levels before treatment were significantly lower than those of patients whose glycaemic control was affected less (5.2 ± 0.6 vs. 8.0 ± 1.0 µg/ml, p < 0.05).Conclusion:  Lower plasma adiponectin concentration predicts the clinical efficacy of pioglitazone.
Changes in sex hormone‐binding globulin and testosterone during weight loss and weight maintenance in abdominally obese men with the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Niskanen L. , Laaksonen D. E. , Punnonen K. , Mustajoki P. , Kaukua J. , Rissanen A. 
Published: March 2004

Background:  Mild hypoandrogenism in men, usually defined by low levels of testosterone, is a peculiar feature of abdominal obesity that independently predicts the development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Little is known about the short‐ and long‐term effects of weight loss on sex steroids in abdominally obese men, however.Objectives:  We assessed the effect of rapid weight loss and sustained weight maintenance on the plasma concentrations of testosterone and other sex hormones in 58 abdominally obese men (age, 46.3 ± 7.5 years; body mass index, 36.1 ± 3.8 kg/m2; waist girth, 121 ± 10 cm) with the metabolic syndrome.Results:  The men lost on average 16.3 ± 4.5 kg during a 9‐week very low‐calorie diet (VLCD) and maintained 14.3 ± 9.1 kg weight loss after a 12‐month maintenance period (vs. baseline, p < 0.001). Sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) increased from 27.6 ± 11.9 to 48.1 ± 23.5 nmol/l during the VLCD but decreased to 32.6 ± 12.9 nmol/l during weight maintenance, which was still higher than at baseline (p < 0.001). Free testosterone (fT) increased from 185 ± 66 to 208 ± 70 pmol/l (p = 0.002) during the VLCD and remained high after 1 year of weight maintenance (212 ± 84 pmol/l, p = 0.002). Total testosterone levels followed a pattern intermediate between fT and SHBG. Plasma estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations changed only transiently or not at all.Conclusions:  Rapid weight loss with successful weight maintenance in abdominally obese men with the metabolic syndrome brings about a sustained increase in fT levels. The dramatic increase in SHBG attenuated initially during weight maintenance but remained elevated. These findings may be important with regard to prevention of progressive metabolic decompensation and cardiovascular disease associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
Ophthalmoscopic and morphogenetic changes in rat lens induced by galactose: attenuation by pyruvate
Authors: Kalakonda S. , Hegde K. R. , Varma S. D. 
Published: March 2004

Background: Investigations have been conducted on the potential of pyruvate, a normal tissue metabolite, in the prevention of cataract formation.Methods: Cataract was induced by maintaining young rats on a diet containing 30% galactose. The progress of cataract was monitored by visual inspection and ophthalmoscopic and slit‐lamp examinations. The protective effect of pyruvate was assessed by incorporating it in the galactose diet and drinking water. The progress of cataract was substantially thwarted by this dietary regimen.Results: Substantial morphogenetic changes in the lenses of the galactosaemic animals, which by themselves can offer obstruction to light penetration through the lens and scattering, were significantly attenuated. These changes were ascertained by histological detection of errors in cellular differentiation and their migration in unwanted areas.Conclusions: As per previous studies, the pyruvate effect is attributed to its direct effect on the biochemistry of lens related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, as well as to its effect on tissue physiology related to the lifelong process of organogenesis, characteristic of this tissue.
Effects of gender, Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B virus serology status on cardiovascular and renal complications in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy
Authors: Lo M. K. W. , Lee K.‐F. , Chan N. N. , Leung W. Y. S. , Ko G. T. C. , Chan W.‐B. , So W.‐Y. , Ng M. C. Y. , Ho C.‐S. , Tam J. S. L. , Lam C. W. K. , Tong P. C. Y. , Chan J. C. N. 
Published: March 2004

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic infections with Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B virus (HBV) might affect clinical outcomes in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with advanced nephropathy.Methods:  A prospective study of 97 type 2 diabetic patients with clinical proteinuria and renal insufficiency (median serum creatinine 200 µmol/l).Results:  During a median follow‐up period of 2 years, 34 developed end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), 28 had cardiovascular endpoints and 11 patients had died (seven men and four women), and 52.7% developed a combined endpoint. Female patients had longer disease duration, higher blood pressure, lower body weight but higher serum creatinine and spot urine albumin : creatinine ratio as well as lower haemoglobin than male patients. On logistic regression analysis, female gender (hazard ratio: 5.91, p = 0.02), negative H. pylori serology (8.39, p = 0.004), baseline serum creatinine (1.04, p = 0.001) and haemoglobin (1.86, p = 0.01) were independent predictors for ESRD. Systolic blood pressure (1.04, p = 0.003), prior treatment with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (3.41, p = 0.04) and positive hepatitis B surface antigen (4.88, p = 0.025) were independent predictors for cardiovascular endpoints. Female gender (7.89, p = 0.002) and baseline serum creatinine (1.05, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for combined death and cardio‐renal endpoints.Conclusions:  In Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with clinical proteinuria renal insufficiency, there were high rates of death and cardio‐renal outcomes. Female gender, low haemoglobin and negative H. pylori serology were important predictors for ESRD, whereas chronic HBV infection was associated with increased cardiovascular risks.