ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to explore the association between adiponectin (APN), APN receptors and insulin resistance (IR) using rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a model of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). Serum and cardiac APN levels were assessed using a double-antibody sandwich ELISA. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of the myocardial APN receptor 1 (AdipoR1) was determined using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that the heart weight/body weight ratio, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid levels, and the homeostasis model assessment-estimated IR (HOMA-IR) index were elevated in the T2DM group compared with the control group. Cardiac function was significantly lower in the T2DM group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, serum and cardiac APN levels were significantly reduced in the T2DM group compared with the control group, and mRNA and protein expression of AdipoR1 was lower in the T2DM group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Changes in the morphology of myocardial cells were observed under the light microscope using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Myocardial cell hypertrophy, a disordered cell arrangement and irregular nuclear size were observed in the T2DM group. By contrast, myocardial cells in the control group were arranged in neat rows with uniform cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. According to the correlation analyses, serum APN levels in the T2DM group were negatively correlated with FPG, triglyceride, total cholesterol and fasting insulin (FINS) levels, as well as with the HOMA-IR index. Myocardial AdipoR1 protein expression was positively correlated with myocardial APN levels, and negatively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR. It may be concluded that myocardial and serum levels of APN are reduced in rats with DC. Metabolic disorders of blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as IR, are associated with low APN levels. Furthermore, low levels of myocardial Adipo1R mRNA and protein expression correlate with reduced insulin sensitivity.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the pepsin in the sputum for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with the symptoms of dry pharynx, globus pharyngeus, excessive throat clearing, chronic cough and so on were divided into laryngopharyngeal reflux group and chronic laryngitis group by the results of therapeutic trial taking proton pump inhibitors for 3 months. The estimation of the reflux symptom index (RSI), the reflux finding score (RFS) and the detection of pepsin in the sputum were done before and after the treatment. The difference between two groups and the value of the pepsin were analyzed. RESULT: There were significant decreasing in RSI, RFS and pepsin level (P < 0.01) after the treatment in all patients. There were statistical differences between the laryngopharyngeal reflux group and the chronic laryngitis group in the changes of RSI and pepsin level (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pepsin level in the sputum might be used as a objective, effective method for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness in laryngopharyngeal reflux.