Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with increased accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the skin in patients with type 1 diabetes: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) is more frequently diagnosed in patients with diabetes. Insulin resistance in patients with type 1 diabetes (DMT1) is associated with the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin and progression of chronic complications. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the relationship between the incidence of HPI and skin AGEs in patients with DMT1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 103 Caucasian patients with a DMT1 duration >5 years. A fast qualitative test was performed to detect the HP antigen in fecal samples (Hedrex). The content of AGEs in the skin was estimated using an AGE Reader device (DiagnOptics). RESULTS: The HP-positive (n = 31) and HP-negative (n = 72) groups did not differ in terms of age, gender, duration of diabetes, fat content, body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile, metabolic control, and inflammatory response markers. The studied groups differed in the amount of AGEs in the skin. The relationship between HPI and increased AGEs in the skin was confirmed in a multifactor regression model taking into account age, gender, DMT1 duration, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), BMI, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the presence of hypertension, and tobacco use. The studied groups also differed in serum levels of vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: Increased accumulation of AGEs in the skin of patients with DMT1 with coexisting HPI suggests that eradication of HP may significantly improve DMT1 outcomes.

The effect of breathing an oxygen-enriched mixture on tissue saturation in obese women.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity undertaken in the treatment process additionally increases the oxygen demand of the working muscles. It seems interesting to see whether a delivery of an enriched respiratory mixture can have an impact on lower acidification of working muscles and oxygenation of tissues. OBJECTIVES: To assess tissue saturation and the level of acidification at rest and during exercise while breathing atmospheric air or an oxygen-enriched mixture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tissue saturation and lactate concentration at rest and during exercise were assessed in 18 females with an average body mass index (BMI) of 42 kg/m2. The study regimen was as follows: day 1 - cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - determination of the threshold load; day 2 - 20 min of physical effort on a cycloergometer (threshold load, breathing atmospheric air); day 3 - 20 min of physical effort on a cycloergometer (threshold load, breathing mixture enriched with oxygen). Saturation measurements were performed in 3 places on the patient's body by measuring absorbance via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). RESULTS: A significant decrease in heart rate (HR) at rest was found when using the oxygen-enriched air mixture (Z = 2.1339, p = 0.0328 (effect size (ES) = 0.478)). During the exercise, a significant decrease in saturation was shown only for the midpoint of the quadriceps muscles (Z = 2.1572, p = 0.309 (ES = 0.600)). Medium effect sizes were shown by the difference in resting and exercising lactate concentration change between the experimental models studied (Z = 2.5041, p = 0.0122 (ES = 0.707)). In the experimental models studied, different medium effect sizes were demonstrated in the resting and exercising lactate concentration change. CONCLUSIONS: Oxygen-enriched air mixture contributes to reducing hypoxia in working muscles of obese people. Oxygen supplementation can result in higher physical fitness levels. The implementation of oxygen-enriched air mixture is a promising therapeutic strategy for obese patients who exhibit high lactate concentrations after exercise.

Excess body fat increases the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the skin of patients with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The process of protein glycation described by Brownlee et al. is a crucial pathogenic mechanism in the development of chronic complications of diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To assess advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin of patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) and excess body fat (EBF) accumulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 227 DM1 patients (121 women and 106 men) whose mean age was 31 ±9.2 years; the mean duration of diabetes was 12 ±7.7 years; and the mean HbA1c was 8.9 ±1.8%. The inclusion criteria were as follows: age 18-65 years, DM1, and lack of acute inflammations and uncontrolled chronic diseases. The exclusion criteria were: anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and elevated aminotransferase levels (more than twice the upper normal limits). Total adipose tissue content was assessed using the electrical bioimpedance method, with the Tanita BC-418 MA analyzer (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The Tanita ViScan AB 140 (Tanita Corp.) was used to evaluate visceral fat tissue (VTF). The content of glycation end products in the skin was assessed using a DiagnOptics AGE Reader device (type 214D00102; DiagnOptics, Groningen, the Netherlands). RESULTS: The group with normal body fat (NBF) consisted of 123 subjects, whereas 104 subjects had EBF. No significant statistical differences were found between the NBF and EBF groups with regard to age, duration of diabetes, current HbA1C value, and tobacco use. A significantly higher AGE score was observed in the EBF group. CONCLUSIONS: Increased body fat affects the amount of AGE in the skin, which correlates with a higher risk of developing chronic diabetes complications.