Aida A. Mahmoud

Association of Interleukin-10 (-592A/C) Gene Polymorphism with its Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with and without Nephropathy

Objectives: Several candidate genes are implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of which is interleukin (IL-10). In this investigation, we aimed to study the association between IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism with its level in T2DM with and without nephropathy. Methods: IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism was genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) technique and IL-10 levels were measured in two groups of T2DM, one group complicated with nephropathy and the second non-complicated. Results: Our results revealed no significant differences in IL-10 (−592A/C) genotypes distribution between the two groups of T2DM patients. IL-10 levels were found significantly elevated in diabetic nephropathy patients compared to T2DM without nephropathy (P<0.05) and were positively correlated to the degree of albuminuria (r=0.61, P<0.01). IL-10 levels increased in IL-10- (−592C/C) genotype compared to IL-10-(−592A/A) and IL-10- (−592A/C) genotypes in diabetic nephropathy patients while such difference was not found in T2DM patients without nephropathy. Conclusion: IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism and IL-10 level play a role in the pathogenesis of nephropathy in T2DM.

Heat shock protein-70 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with retinopathy

To elucidate the role of heat shock protein‐70 (HSP70) and hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients.

Selenium Increases Testicular Steroidogenesis and Growth Factors Expression in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and found to have important roles in maintaining normal growth and reproduction. The effect of Se on testicular steroidogenesis and testicular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor-beta (NGF-β) was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)induced diabetic rats. The study included 45 male albino rats randomly divided into 3 groups; control (group I, n=15), diabetic (group II, n=15) and diabetic supplemented with Se (group III, n=15). The investigation revealed that, diabetic group (group II) had a significant decrease in Se level and testicular steroidogenesis evidenced by the decrease in testosterone and in the activity of two important enzymes synthesizing testosterone 3-betahydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSDH) and 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSDH) compared to control group (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant decrease in testicular tissue levels of VEGF and NGF-β in diabetic rats compared to control rats (P < 0.05). While, diabetic group supplemented with Se (group III) exhibited a significant increase in Se level, the activity of 3 β-HSDH, 17 β-HSDH and testosterone concentration compared to group II. Also, group III exhibited a significant increase in the testicular tissue levels of VEGF and NGF-β compared to group II. In addition, Se supplementation improved testicular weight, the seminiferous tubules atrophy, the germinal epithelial cells lining tubules, Sertoli cells and interstitial cell of Leydig. In conclusion, Se supplementation increases testicular steroidogenesis and the expression of VEGF and NGF-β in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Keywords