Refine
Has Fulltext
- no (105)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (105) (remove)
Language
- English (105)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (105)
Keywords
- Fetal programming (5)
- Pregnancy (5)
- linagliptin (5)
- pregnancy (5)
- Hypertension (4)
- chronic kidney disease (4)
- Endothelin (3)
- Endothelin-1 (3)
- Epigenetics (3)
- Klotho (3)
Aims: The MARLINA-T2D study (ClinicalTrials. gov, NCT01792518) was designed to investigate the glycaemic and renal effects of linagliptin added to standard-of-care in individuals with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria. Methods: A total of 360 individuals with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c 6.5% to 10.0% (48-86 mmol/ mol), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >= 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and urinary albumin-tocreatinine ratio (UACR) 30-3000 mg/g despite single agent renin-angiotensin-system blockade were randomized to double-blind linagliptin (n = 182) or placebo (n = 178) for 24 weeks. The primary and key secondary endpoints were change from baseline in HbA1c at week 24 and time-weighted average of percentage change from baseline in UACR over 24 weeks, respectively. Results: Baseline mean HbA1c and geometric mean (gMean) UACR were 7.8% +/- 0.9% (62.2 +/- 9.6 mmol/mol) and 126 mg/g, respectively; 73.7% and 20.3% of participants had microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria, respectively. After 24 weeks, the placebo-adjusted mean change in HbA1c from baseline was -0.60% (-6.6 mmol/mol) (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.78 to -0.43 [-8.5 to -4.7 mmol/mol]; P <.0001). The placebo-adjusted gMean for time-weighted average of percentage change in UACR from baseline was -6.0% (95% CI, -15.0 to 3.0; P =.1954). The adverse-event profile, including renal safety and change in eGFR, was similar between the linagliptin and placebo groups. Conclusions: In individuals at early stages of diabetic kidney disease, linagliptin significantly improved glycaemic control but did not significantly lower albuminuria. There was no significant change in placebo-adjusted eGFR. Detection of clinically relevant renal effects of linagliptin may require longer treatment, as its main experimental effects in animal studies have been to reduce interstitial fibrosis rather than alter glomerular haemodynamics.
Birth weight variation is influenced by fetal and maternal genetic and non-genetic factors, and has been reproducibly associated with future cardio-metabolic health outcomes. In expanded genome-wide association analyses of own birth weight (n = 321,223) and offspring birth weight (n = 230,069 mothers), we identified 190 independent association signals (129 of which are novel). We used structural equation modeling to decompose the contributions of direct fetal and indirect maternal genetic effects, then applied Mendelian randomization to illuminate causal pathways. For example, both indirect maternal and direct fetal genetic effects drive the observational relationship between lower birth weight and higher later blood pressure: maternal blood pressure-raising alleles reduce offspring birth weight, but only direct fetal effects of these alleles, once inherited, increase later offspring blood pressure. Using maternal birth weight-lowering genotypes to proxy for an adverse intrauterine environment provided no evidence that it causally raises offspring blood pressure, indicating that the inverse birth weight-blood pressure association is attributable to genetic effects, and not to intrauterine programming.
An association has been proved between high salt consumption and cardiovascular mortality. In vertebrates, the heart is the first functional organ to be formed. However, it is not clear whether high-salt exposure has an adverse impact on cardiogenesis. Here we report high-salt exposure inhibited basement membrane breakdown by affecting RhoA, thus disturbing the expression of Slug/E-cadherin/N-cadherin/Laminin and interfering with mesoderm formation during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT). Furthermore, the DiI(+) cell migration trajectory in vivo and scratch wound assays in vitro indicated that high-salt exposure restricted cell migration of cardiac progenitors, which was caused by the weaker cytoskeleton structure and unaltered corresponding adhesion junctions at HH7. Besides, down-regulation of GATA4/5/6, Nkx2.5, TBX5, and Mef2c and up-regulation of Wnt3a/-catenin caused aberrant cardiomyocyte differentiation at HH7 and HH10. High-salt exposure also inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Most importantly, our study revealed that excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS)generated by high salt disturbed the expression of cardiac-related genes, detrimentally affecting the above process including EMT, cell migration, differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, which is the major cause of malformation of heart tubes.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a proteohormone regulating renal phosphate transport and vitamin D metabolism as well as inducing left heart hypertrophy. FGF23-deficient mice suffer from severe tissue calcification, accelerated aging and a myriad of aging-associated diseases. Bone cells produce FGF23 upon store-operated calcium ion entry (SOCE) through the calcium selective ion channel Orai1. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a powerful energy sensor helping cells survive states of energy deficiency, and AMPK down-regulates Orai1. Here we investigated the role of AMPK in FGF23 production. Fgf23 gene transcription was analyzed by qRT-PCR and SOCE by fluorescence optics in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells while the serum FGF23 concentration and phosphate metabolism were assessed in AMPKa1-knockout and wild-type mice. The AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) down-regulated, whereas the AMPK inhibitor, dorsomorphin dihydrochloride (compound C) and AMPK gene silencing induced Fgf23 transcription. AICAR decreased membrane abundance of Orai1 and SOCE. SOCE inhibitors lowered Fgf23 gene expression induced by AMPK inhibition. AMPKa1-knockout mice had a higher serum FGF23 concentration compared to wild-type mice. Thus, AMPK participates in the regulation of FGF23 production in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of AMPK on FGF23 production is at least in part mediated by Orai1-involving SOCE.
Genome-wide association studies of birth weight have focused on fetal genetics, whereas relatively little is known about the role of maternal genetic variation. We aimed to identify maternal genetic variants associated with birth weight that could highlight potentially relevant maternal determinants of fetal growth. We meta-analysed data on up to 8.7 million SNPs in up to 86 577 women of European descent from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the UK Biobank. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) and analyses of mother-child pairs to quantify the separate maternal and fetal genetic effects. Maternal SNPs at 10 loci (MTNR1B, HMGA2, SH2B3, KCNAB1, L3MBTL3, GCK, EBF1, TCF7L2, ACTL9, CYP3A7) were associated with offspring birth weight at P< 5 x 10(-8). In SEM analyses, at least 7 of the 10 associations were consistent with effects of the maternal genotype acting via the intrauterine environment, rather than via effects of shared alleles with the fetus. Variants, or correlated proxies, at many of the loci had been previously associated with adult traits, including fasting glucose (MTNR1B, GCK and TCF7L2) and sex hormone levels (CYP3A7), and one (EBF1) with gestational duration. The identified associations indicate that genetic effects on maternal glucose, cytochrome P450 activity and gestational duration, and potentially on maternal blood pressure and immune function, are relevant for fetal growth. Further characterization of these associations in mechanistic and causal analyses will enhance understanding of the potentially modifiable maternal determinants of fetal growth, with the goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with low and high birth weights.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED plays an important role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of our study was to evaluate serum ADMA concentration as a biomarker of an acute renal damage during the follow-up of 90 days after contrast medium (CM) application. Blood samples were obtained from 330 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus or mild renal impairment immediately before, 24 and 48 hours after the CM application for coronary angiography. The patients were followed for 90 days. The composite endpoints were major adverse renal events (MARE) defined as occurrence of death, initiation of dialysis, or a doubling of serum creatinine concentration. Overall, ADMA concentration in plasma increased after CM application, although, there was no differences between ADMA levels in patients with and without CIN. ADMA concentration 24 hours after the CM application was predictive for dialysis with a specificity of 0.889 and sensitivity of 0.653 at values higher than 0.71 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.854, 95% confidential interval: 0.767-0.941, P<0.001). This association remained significant in multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for relevant factors of long-term renal outcome. 24 hours after the CM application, ADMA concentration in plasma was predictive for MARE with a specificity of 0.833 and sensitivity of 0.636 at a value of more than 0.70 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.750, 95% confidence interval: 0.602-0.897, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that ADMA and anemia were significant predictors of MARE. Further analysis revealed that increased ADMA concentration in plasma was highly significant predictor of MARE in patients with CIN. Moreover, patients with CIN and MARE had the highest plasma ADMA levels 24 hours after CM exposure in our study cohort. The impact of ADMA on MARE was independent of such known CIN risk factors as anemia, pre-existing renal failure, pre-existing heart failure, and diabetes. ADMA concentration in plasma is a promising novel biomarker of major contrast-induced nephropathy-associated events 90 days after contrast media exposure.
The determination of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) as compared to the analysis of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D might reflect better the vitamin D status during pregnancy, since vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) concentrations increase throughout pregnancy and the vast majority of 25(OH)D is tightly bound to DBP thus strongly influencing total 25(OH)D. The concentration of the biologically active free 25(OH)D - on the other hand - is much less dependent on the DBP concentrations. The study was conducted in May-June 2016 in 368 Caucasian pregnant healthy women - residents of Northeastern Germany. Free 25(OH)D was either measured directly by commercial ELISA kit or assessed by calculation via total 25(OH)D, DBP, and albumin serum concentrations. Regardless of the detection method, free 25(OH)D lowers in the 3rd trimester comparing to the 1st trimester (by 12% and 21%, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, for measured and calculated free 25(OH)D, respectively), whereas total 25(OH)D was not decreased in late pregnancy. DBP rises with gestational age. Total 25(OH)D was not correlated with serum calcium (p = 0.251), whereas free 25(OH)D was significantly (p = 0.007 for measured free 25(OH)D and p < 0.001 for calculated free 25(OH)D) positively correlated with calcium. All 25(OH) D isoforms were significantly negatively correlated with bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), however the correlation strength was the lowest with total 25(OH)D (rho = -0.108, p = 0.038), whereas both measured and calculated free 25(OH)D revealed better associations with BSAP (rho = -0.203 and rho = -0.211 for measured and calculated free 25(OH)D, respectively, p < 0.001 for both). We established pregnancy trimester specific reference intervals for free measured and calculated 25(OH)D and DBP. Both measured and calculated free 25(OH)D showed better correlations with parameters of the endocrine vitamin D system (calcium and BSAP). Both ways of measuring free 25(OH)D in pregnant women are suitable as novel laboratory parameter for vitamin D status monitoring during human pregnancy and might replace in the future the routine total 25(OH)D assessment.
Vitamin D, either in its D-2 or D-3 form, is essential for normal human development during intrauterine life, kidney function and bone health. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to cancer development and some auto immune diseases. Given this huge impact of vitamin Don human health, it is important for daily clinical practice and clinical research to have reliable tools to judge on the vitamin D status. The major circulating form of vitamin D is 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), although it is not the most active metabolite, the concentrations of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the serum are currently routinely used in clinical practice to assess vitamin D status. In the circulation, vitamin D - like other steroid hormones - is bound tightly to a special carrier - vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Smaller amounts are bound to blood proteins - albumin and lipoproteins. Only very tiny amounts of the total vitamin D are free and potentially biologically active. Currently used vitamin D assays do not distinguish between the three forms of vitamin D - DBP-bound vitamin D, albumin-bound vitamin D and free, biologically active vitamin D. Diseases or conditions that affect the synthesis of DBP or albumin thus have a huge impact on the amount of circulating total vitamin D. DBP and albumin are synthesized in the liver, hence all patients with an impairment of liver function have alterations in their total vitamin D blood concentrations, while free vitamin D levels remain mostly constant. Sex steroids, in particular estrogens, stimulate the synthesis of DBP. This explains why total vitamin D concentrations are higher during pregnancy as compared to nonpregnant women, while the concentrations of free vitamin D remain similar in both groups of women. The vitamin D-DBP as well as vitamin D-albumin complexes are filtered through the glomeruli and re-uptaken by megalin in the proximal tubule. Therefore, all acute and chronic kidney diseases that are characterized by a tubular damage, are associated with a loss of vitamin D-DBP complexes in the urine. Finally, the gene encoding DBP protein is highly polymorphic in different human racial groups. In the current review, we will discuss how liver function, estrogens, kidney function and the genetic background might influence total circulating vitamin D levels and will discuss what vitamin D metabolite is more appropriate to measure under these conditions: free vitamin D or total vitamin D.
Observational studies from all over the world continue to find high prevalence rates of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in many populations, including pregnant women. Beyond its classical function as a regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism, vitamin D elicits numerous effects in the human body. Current evidence highlights a vital role of vitamin D in mammalian gestation. During pregnancy, adaptations in maternal vitamin D metabolism lead to a physiologic increase of vitamin D levels, mainly because of an increased renal production, although other potential sources like the placenta are being discussed. A sufficient supply of mother and child with calcium and vitamin D during pregnancy ensures a healthy bone development of the fetus, whereas lack of either of these nutrients can lead to the development of rickets in the child. Moreover, vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy has consistently been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes. In multitudinous studies, low maternal vitamin D status was associated with a higher risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and other gestational diseases. Likewise, several negative consequences for the fetus have been reported, including fetal growth restriction, increased risk of preterm birth and a changed susceptibility for later-life diseases. However, study results are diverging and causality has not been proven so far. Meta-analyses on the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and pregnancy outcomes revealed a wide heterogeneity of studied populations and the applied methodology in vitamin D assessment. Until today, clinical guidelines for supplementation cannot be based on high-quality evidence and it is not clear if the required intake for pregnant women differs from non-pregnant women. Long-term safety data of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women has not been established and overdosing of vitamin D might have unfavorable effects, especially in mothers and newborns with mutations of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism. Reliable data from large observational and interventional randomized control trials are urgently needed as a basis for any detailed and safe recommendations for supplementation in the general population and, most importantly, in pregnant women. This is of utmost importance, as ensuring a sufficient vitamin D-supply of mother and child implies a great potential for the prevention of birth complications and development of diseases.
Aims/hypothesis Paternal high-fat diet prior to mating programmes impaired glucose tolerance in female offspring. We examined whether the metabolic consequences in offspring could be abolished by folate treatment of either the male rats before mating or the corresponding female rats during pregnancy. Methods Male F0 rats were fed either control diet or high-fat, high-sucrose and high-salt diet (HFSSD), with or without folate, before mating. Male rats were mated with control-diet-fed dams. After mating, the F0 dams were fed control diet with or without folate during pregnancy.