Impaired permeability and antimicrobial barriers in type 2 diabetes skin are linked to increased serum levels of advanced glycation end-product

Abstract

Background

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing rapidly, and the disease has become a serious sociomedical problem. Many skin problems, such as xerosis, pruritus, skin infections, and delayed wound healing, that might be related to chronic impairment of skin barrier function decrease the quality of life in DM patients. However, the status of the permeability and antimicrobial barrier of the skin in DM remains unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate skin barrier impairment in type 2 DM patients and its patho-mechanisms using classic animal models of type 2 DM.

Methods

Functional studies of the skin barrier and an analysis of stratum corneum (SC) lipids were compared between type 2 DM patients and age- and sex-matched non-diabetes controls. Also, functional studies on the skin barrier, epidermal lipid analyses, and electron microscopy and bio-molecular studies were performed using type 2 DM animal models, db/db and ob/ob mice.

Results

Type 2 DM patients presented with epidermal barrier impairments, including SC hydration, which was influenced by blood glucose control (HbA1c level). In the lipid analysis of SC, ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol were significantly decreased in type 2 DM patients compared with controls. Type 2 DM murine models presented with severe hyperglycemia, impairment of skin barrier homeostasis, decreases in epidermal proliferation and epidermal lipid synthesis, decreases in lamellar body (LB) and epidermal anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), an increase in receptors for advanced glycation end-product (AGE) in the epidermis, and an increase in serum AGE.

Conclusion

Impairment of the skin barrier was observed in type 2 DM, which results in part from a decrease in epidermal proliferation. Serum AGE and its epidermal receptors were increased in type 2 diabetic mice which display impaired skin barrier parameters such as epidermal lipid synthesis, LB production, epidermal AMP, and SC lipids.

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The Founding Fathers of the International Neuroendocrine Society (INS)

Abstract

It seems appropriate in this Special Issue of Journal of Neuroendocrinology, which marks the new Pan American Neuroendocrine Society (PANS), to recognize the first group of international scientists who were linked by their common purpose to promote neuroendocrinology throughout the world.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Comparative analysis of the protective effects of curcumin and N -acetyl cysteine against paracetamol-induced hepatic, renal, and testicular toxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin (CUR) vs. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against paracetamol (PCM)-induced oxidative damage and impairment of liver, kidney, and testicular functions, as well as hematotoxicity, in albino rats. A large single dose of PCM induced lipid peroxidation along with a significant decline in glutathione content and catalase activity in the liver, kidneys, and testicles. The apparent oxidative damage was associated with evident hepatic, renal, and testicular dysfunction, which was confirmed in histopathological lesions, and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities. PCM decreased serum total protein, albumin, and globulin contents; increased bilirubin, urea, and creatinine contents; and induced hematotoxicity. PCM also reduced the sperm cell count, sperm motility, and alive sperm rate and increased the sperm abnormality rate. Pretreatment of PCM-intoxicated animals with CUR or NAC substantially alleviated the increase in malondialdehyde and maintained the antioxidants at control levels. These pretreatments also minimized liver, kidney, and testicular histopathological changes and normalized their functions. CUR similarly mitigated the PCM hemato- and hepatotoxicity compared with NAC. However, it exhibited a pronounced nephroprotection, rather than reproductive protection as did NAC. Our findings demonstrate that a large single dose of PCM is not only associated with hepatotoxicity but also nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Both CUR and NAC administration provided substantial organ protection with pronounced efficacy against PCM nephrotoxicity with CUR and reproductive toxicity with NAC, which was possibly mediated through their antioxidant activities, as well as their specific characteristics.

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Characterization and valorization of biomass char: a comparison with biomass ash

Abstract

Organic matter derived from living, or recently living plant and animal, which can be used as fuel is called as biomass. It includes wood and agricultural waste such as dead plant etc. In India, majority of population depends largely upon agriculture as their primary source of income. Following every harvest, a huge amount of biomass is generated. It is mostly discarded as "agro waste"; however, recently, several uses of biomass and its derivatives have been reported. Thermochemical processing of biomass in absence of oxygen produces biomass char and flue gases which are of economic importance. However, it is necessary to characterize the physical and chemical properties of these components so as to utilize their potential benefit to the fullest. In this study, six different biomass remains that include mustard plant, groundnut plant, cotton plant, wheat plant, pigeon peas, and groundnut shell were pyrolyzed at 650 °C, in vertical downdraft fixed-bed biomass reactor. The flue gases were characterized in detail by gas chromatography. X-ray fluorescence, proximate, and ultimate analyses were performed on all BMC (biomass char) samples, and properties such as porosity, particle density, bulk density, point of zero charge, surface pH, surface charges, water-absorption capacity, and BET surface area were determined. SEM and FTIR were also carried out on all BMC samples. Our results showed that the surface area of biomass char varies from 38 to 138 m²/g. The solution pH for all BMC exceeds 8.6, thus confirmed the alkaline nature. Comparison between combustion products produced in the presence (biomass ash) and absence of oxygen (biomass char) is presented. BMC finds applications in agriculture, soil neutralizer, adsorbent, and soil additive. They have high amount of carbon and can act as a rich carbon source for the soil. Flue gases released contain methane and hydrogen which can also improve economic value for the char formation process.

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The micronucleus test for the oral mucosa: global trends and new questions

Abstract

This study reviews global trends in the publication of papers on the micronucleus test of the exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa in mammals as an approach for environmental biomonitoring. This test has been widely used due to its precision for the detection of chromosome damage. Our temporal analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the publication of papers on the oral mucosa over the past 33 years. Brazil was the country that published most papers (24% of the total), followed by India (16%), the USA (10%), Mexico (7%), and Turkey (6%). A further 30 countries contributed the other 37% of the papers. Overall, 99% of the micronucleus studies involved human subjects, and only 1% involved other mammals. As many wild mammals are subject to the same environmental pressures as humans, in particular chemical pollution, it seems likely that many species are equally susceptible to genotoxicogical damage. We emphasize the importance of applying this technique to the analysis of the oral mucosa of wild mammals, as well as the evaluation of its effectiveness, as observed in humans, and the expansion of the available approaches to the monitoring of environmental quality.

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Degradation of the earthy and musty odorant 2,4,6-tricholoroanisole by persulfate activated with iron of different valences

Abstract

2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (TCA) is an odorous compound that is often detected in tap water and is difficult to be removed via water treatment. In this study, the transformation efficiency of TCA in the presence of persulfate (PS) activated by iron (Fe²⁺, Fe⁰, and Fe³⁺) was investigated for the first time. The effects of the activator dosage, oxidant dosage, pH, dosing method, chelating agents, humic acid, and temperature were evaluated. The degradation rate of TCA increased with increasing PS dosages (0.12–0.48 mM) and initial Fe²⁺ concentrations (0.12–0.96 mM), while it decreased with higher Fe²⁺ concentrations. Fe²⁺/PS and Fe⁰/PS systems achieved their best TCA removal efficiency at pH 7 and 2.5, respectively. According to the results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), the contribution of SO₄⁻• to TCA degradation was much higher than that of •OH. Gradual addition of Fe²⁺ improved TCA degradation compared to single addition. Citric acid (CA) promoted TCA degradation under Fe²⁺/PS at the beginning of the reaction, but inhibited it after 10 min. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) improved the TCA removal rate with an EDTA/Fe²⁺ molar ratio of 0.5:1, while it decreased it at higher EDTA/Fe²⁺ molar ratios. Oxalic acid (OA) negatively affected TCA degradation with increasing OA/Fe²⁺ molar ratios. Among all of the chelating agents, only CA increased TCA degradation by Fe⁰/PS. Humic acid promoted TCA degradation by Fe²⁺/PS at the proper dosage (1 mg/L). Under our specific conditions and over the temperature ranging from 10 to 25 °C, no change was observed in the reaction kinetics. It was found that 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) was the only detected oxidation product. The presence of an Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ redox cycle in iron-activated PS systems was confirmed by TCA degradation under the Fe³⁺/PS system.

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A novel process for CO 2 capture by using sodium metaborate. Part I: effects of calcination

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the carbonation of sodium metaborate (NaBO₂) and the synthesis of high added value chemicals via NaBO₂ and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas and NaBO₂ is a by-product of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) hydrolysis reaction to produce H₂. Therefore their transformation into commercial chemicals is quite important in order to provide a mutual benefit to global warming issue and hydrogen economy. In the presented study, reaction parameters such as hydration factor, furnace type, calcination temperature, and environment are investigated at different levels and optimized. The effects of those key parameters on CO₂ fixation yield are discussed. It is found that 400 °C is a key temperature for dehydration and reaction steps. Both dehydrated NaBO₂ is obtained and maximum carbonation conversion is reached at 400 °C. Moreover, at relatively low temperatures (below 400 °C), a new reaction pathway is proposed and proved by thermodynamic calculations. Structural properties of NaBO₂ are exhibited differences regard to thermal exposure and the conversion is strictly related to the structural properties.

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