Plasma adiponectin and resistin levels in type 2 diabetic obese female patients with and without hypertension and retinopathy

In the past, adipose tissue was largely regarded as a depot for fuel storage in the form of triglyceride. However, adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes a variety of metabolically important substances including adipokines. The adipocyte is now known to secrete a variety of proteins such as tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, adipsin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. Adipose tissue regulates insulin sensitivity via the circulating adipocytokines, resistin and adiponectin. These factors affect insulin sensitivity and may represent a link between obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes [DM]. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of resistin and adiponectin in type 2 diabetic obese female patients with and without hypertension and retinopathy. In this study the plasma adiponectin and resistin concentrations were investigated, in 20 control obese non-diabetic females and 40 obese female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diabetic females were divided into 2 groups. G[I] included 20 controlled uncomplicated diabetics and GII included 20 diabetic patients with hypertension and retinopathy. The plasma concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower [P< 0.01] in diabetic females in G[I] and G[II] than non-diabetic control females. In diabetic patients with hypertension and retinopathy [G[II]] there was a significant decrease in plasma adiponectin levels [P< 0.01] as compared to their levels in diabetic females in G and control females. Our results also show that there were non-significant changes in plasma resistin in diabetic patients in both groups G[I] and G[II] as compared to their levels in control group. These results suggest that adiponectin may play a key role in pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its microangiopathy and macrovascular complications

Factors associated with the catastrophic decline of a cloudforest frog fauna in Guatemala

Comparison of recent and historical surveys of frog populations in cloudforest habitat in Sierra de las Minas,Guatemala,indicated population declines and local extirpation of several species.Pathological exams of diseased tadpoles indicated infection by amphibian chytridiomycosis. The local habitat has been severely altered by recent establishment of large-scale leatherleaf fern production.Analysis of water chemistry at our study site suggested increased nitrogenation associated with the leatherleaf industry

Una comparación entre un inventario anterior y otro reciente de poblaciones de ranas de bosque nublado en la Sierra de Las Minas de Guatemala demostró disminuciones poblacionales y ausencia localizada de varias especies.El examen patológico de un renacuajo muerto indicó infección por un hongo quítrido propio de los anfibios.El hábitat local ha sido gravemente alterado por el establecimiento reciente de producción a gran escala de helechos ornamentales.El análisis químico del agua en el área de estudio señaló un aumento en nitrogenación asociado al cultivo de helechos