Low plasma adiponectin levels predict increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have shown that adiponectin has antiproteinuric and nephroprotective effects. The purpose of the study was to assess the value of plasma adiponectin as a predictor of proteinuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. METHODS: In this one-year prospective follow-up study, we included T2D patients with positive visual test for microalbuminuria (Micral) and negative visual test for proteinuria. Exclusion criteria were: glomerular filtration ratio (GFR) < 30 ml/min, acute infection/inflammation, uncontrolled hypertension, and atherosclerotic complications. The main outcome measure was the change in urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) after 1 year follow-up (Δ UACR). RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (66% males) completed the study. Their initial mean UACR was 81.58 ± 26.42 mg/g and mean GFR was 81.15 ± 3.96 ml/min. At baseline, simple regression disclosed significant correlations between UACR and plasma adiponectin (r = 0.54, P = 0.00002) and GFR (r = -0.28, P = 0.03); in multiple regression analysis, plasma adiponectin remained the only predictor of UACR (P = 0.00007). Baseline plasma adiponectin was significantly correlated to body mass index (r = -0.28, P = 0.04), waist circumference (r = -0.27, P = 0.05), HDL cholesterol (r = 0.35, P = 0.01), and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.27, P = 0.04). Baseline plasma adiponectin significantly correlated in simple (r = -0.38, P = 0.004) and multiple regression (P = 0.04) to Δ UACR. When patients were divided according to Δ UACR in nonprogressors (Δ UACR < 0) and progressors (Δ UACR > 0), logistic regression showed that baseline GFR (OR = 1.04, CI95%: 1.00-1.09, P = 0.04) and plasma adiponectin (OR = 1.16, CI95%: 1.02-1.32, P = 0.02) were the only factors that predicted whether the patient would be a progressor or not. CONCLUSION: In T2D patients, lower plasma adiponectin levels seem to be predictive of increased UACR.

The effects of the intraperitoneal administration of midazolam on blood glucose level and serum lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

In male Wistar rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin administration, the intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of midazolam (2.5-5.0 and 10 mg/kg) induced a significant reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. The plasma immunoreactive insulin level was slightly, but significantly increased. The lethality was diminished.

Effects of lormetazepam on glycemia and serum lipids in hyperlipidemic rats.

Lormetazepam (N-methyllorazepam) administered intraperitoneally to rats rendered hyperlipidemic by Triton WR-1339 induced an elevation of blood glucose level at all investigated doses. It brought about significant reduction of serum total lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides. The dose-response relationship was bell-shaped. However, it presented two peaks, differing from the responses to other benzodiazepines (BZD) which were characterized by only one peak.

Effects of administration of temazepam on blood glucose and serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats.

In rats rendered hyperlipidemic by the administration of Triton WR-1339 temazepam induced significant reductions of serum lipids. The effects was more reduced than of diazepam. The blood glucose level failed to be affected by most of the doses.

Effects of midazolam on glycemia and serum lipids in rats.

Midazolam administered ip. in albino rats (each group consisted from 10 animals rendered hyperdyslipidemic by the administration of Triton WR-1339) induced at most doses a significant reduction of glycemia (p < 0.001). However, the reduction of blood glucose level was outside of the dangerous level. Midazolam elicited also very significant decrease of the elevated serum lipids (p < 0.001). The pharmacological analysis of these phenomena by using the peripheral type benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors antagonist PK 11105, the central BZD receptor antagonist flumazenil and the purinergic P1 receptors antagonist aminophylline has shown that the effects on serum lipids were due, very probably to the stimulation of the peripheral type BZD receptors. Aminophylline seems to have the property to block the peripheral type BZD receptors. The effects on blood glucose level were very variable.

[Protein changes in the jejunal juice and endointestinal exudation of albumin-I 131 in acute infectious enterocolitis]. / Modificarile proteinelor din sucul jejunal si exsadatia endointestinala de albumina 131I în enterocolitele acute infectioase

The phenomenon of endointestinal protein exudation in acute infectious enterocolitis is studied. Total proteins were determined in 30 cases of acute enterocolitis and 50 of bacillary dysentery in the acute stages of the disease and convalescence. The proteinogram of the jejunal juice was performed in the acute stage and convalescence in 20 patients. In 16 patients and 5 controls endointestinal albumin elimination was determined quantitatively by means of 131I labeled albumin. The results showed increase in the total protein content in the jejunal juice in the course of acute infectious enterocolitis and bacillary dysentery and a return to normal values in convalescence. Electrophoresis of the jejunal juice in acute infectious enterocolitis showed the absence of fraction III with alpha1-globulin migration, and increased fractions I, II and IV probably due to the loss of endointestinal albumin, also confirmed by quantitative albumin determinations with 131I labeled albumin. In conclusion, patients with acute infectious enterocolitis present a marked loss of endointestinal albumins in the acute stage of the disease, with a return to normal values in convalescence.