Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improves clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

ABSTRACT The effect of glutamine dipeptide (GDP) supplementation in patients with diabetic foot syndrome was evaluated. A total of 22 patients took part in the study. GDP was supplied in 10 g sachets, and was dissolved in water immediately before use, with ingestion once a day, after lunch or after dinner (20 g/day) over a period of 30 days. Quantification of foot insensitive areas, oxidative stress, blood cytokines, and biochemical, hematological and toxicological parameters was performed before and after GDP supplementation. We observed an increase in blood levels of interferon-α (P=0.023), interferon-γ (P=0.038), interleukin-4 (P=0.003), interleukin-6 (P=0.0025), interleukin-7 (P=0.028), interleukin-12 p40 (P=0.017), interleukin-13 (P=0.001), leukocytes (P=0.037), eosinophils (P=0.049), and typical lymphocytes (P<0.001) due to GDP administration. In addition, we observed a reduced number (P=0.048) of insensitive areas on the foot, and reduction (P=0.047) of fasting hyperglycemia. Patients also showed increased blood high density lipoprotein (P<0.01) and protein thiol groups (P=0.004). These favorable results were associated with the absence of renal and hepatic toxicity. These results are of clinical relevance, since supplementation with GDP over 30 days improved clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome.

Oxidative stress parameters as biomarkers of risk factor for diabetic foot among the patients with type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma levels of carbonylated proteins, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced protein thiols could be suitable biomarkers of risk factors for diabetic foot. Individuals with type 2 diabetes with normal protective sensation (normal foot group) vs. loss of protective sensation and/or signs of peripheral arterial disease and/or foot deformities and/or history of ulcers and/or neuropathic fractures and/or amputation (diabetic foot group) were compared. The diabetic foot group showed higher carbonylated protein levels (P = 0.0457) and lower levels of TAC (P = 0.0148) and reduced protein thiols (P = 0.0088), compared with the normal foot group. In general, several other parameters of risk of diabetes complication (blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose and cholesterol, duration of diabetes, body mass index and waist circumference) showed a tendency of higher values in the diabetic foot group. The results suggest that the plasma levels of carbonylated proteins, TAC and reduced protein thiols could furnish information about the risk of diabetic foot, considering that the changes in these biomarkers were associated with the loss of sensitivity and foot ulcerations.

Perfil de paciettes diabéticos tipo 2 usuários e insulina disponibilizada pelaa secretaria municipal de saúde de maringá, pr, Brasil / Profile of ype-22 diabetes nsulin-user patients provided by the municipal health department of maringá, pr, Braiil

Investigou-se o perfil de 80 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 (PDT2), constituído de homens (45%) e mulheres (55%) com média de idade de 62,8 ± 8,5 anos, usuários de insulina NPH fornecida pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Maringá, PR, Brasil. Obteve-se informações por meio de um questionário e pela medida do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Verificou-se que: 1) 72% apresentavam obesidade ou sobrepeso; 2) 67,5% utilizavam antihipertensivos dos quais os inibidores da enzima conversora (ECA) e os bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina (BRA) representavam 84%; 3) O IMC foi similar em PDT2 usuários ou não de agentes antihipertensivos; 4) 46% além da insulina utilizavam antidiabéticos orais; 5) a dose de insulina (unidades. kg-1. dia-1) foi inferior (p< 0,05) em usuários de antihipertensivos, sugerindo existir uma correlação entre terapia antihipertensiva e o uso de menores doses de insulina. Este efeito ocorreria de maneira independente do IMC ou da simultânea a terapia com antidiabéticos orais.

The profile of 80 type-2 diabetic patients (T2DP), male (45%) and female (55%), with mean age 62.8 ± 8.5 years old, receiving NPH insulin from the municipal health department of Maringa city, PR, Brazil, was investigated. Information about each volunteer was obtained using a questionnaire and an evaluation of body mass index (BMI). It was verified that: 1) 72% showed obesity or overweight; 2) 67.5% used antihypertensive drugs in which angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) were the main antihypertensive drugs (84%); 3) The BMI was similar in the T2DP with hypertension or without hypertension; 4) 46%, in addition to insulin therapy, also used antidiabetic drugs; 5) The daily dose of insulin (units. kg-1. day-1) in the group which received antihypertensive therapy was lower (p< 0.05), suggesting the presence of a relationship between antihypertensive treatment and lower doses of insulin. In addition, this relationship would occur independently of the influence of BMI or the simultaneous treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs.