Serpil Salman

Oxidative protein damage in early stage Type 1 diabetic patients

To examine the influence of oxidative stress on oxidative protein damage, we studied 51 young Type 1 diabetic patients clinically free of complications and 48 healthy normolipidaemic age-matched controls. We determined: (1) plasma carbonyl (PCO), plasma total thiol (T-SH), and nitrotyrosine (NT) levels as markers of oxidative protein damage; (2) plasma lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), and nitric oxide (NO) levels as markers of oxidative stress; (3) plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAO), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (TRF), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) as markers of free radical scavengers. There were no significant differences in the levels of these markers between prepubertal diabetic patients and the controls. The levels of both of PCO and LHP were increased in adolescent and young adult Type 1 diabetic patients with respect to their controls. In the adolescent group, patient versus control values for PCO were 1.04+/-0.067 versus 0.67+/-0.0274 nmol/mg and for LHP they were 2. 10+/-1.09 versus 1.00+/-0.4 nmol/mg. In the young adult group, patient versus control values for PCO were 0.99+/-0.054 versus 0. 66+/-0.02 nmol/mg and for LHP they were 1.96+/-0.78 versus 1.15+/-0. 4 nmol/mg. TAO levels were significantly decreased in adolescent diabetic patients compared to their controls (0.92+/-0.27 vs. 1. 86+/-0.37) and in young adult diabetic patients compared to their controls (0.80+/-0.27 vs. 2.11+/-0.54 nmol/mg). T-SH was not different between diabetic patients and the controls. Serum NT, NO, and erythrocyte SOD levels were not different either between three groups of diabetic patients or between the patients and their controls. We attribute this lack of difference to limited disease duration. Changes in markers of oxidative stress other than NT, NO, and SOD observed in adolescent and young adult early stage Type 1 diabetic patients contribute to the imbalance in the redox status of the plasma. We attribute this imbalance to metal-catalyzed protein oxidation in both groups of Type 1 diabetic patients clinically free from complications.

Oxidative Protein Damage in Type I Diabetic Patients With and Without Complications

To examine the influence of oxidative stress on oxidative protein damage, we studied 47 Type I diabetic patients with and without complications. We determined plasma protein carbonyl, plasma protein thiol and nitrotyrosine levels as markers of oxidative protein damage, plasma lipid hydroperoxide levels as markers of oxidative stress, and plasma total thiol, plasma nonprotein thiol, erythrocyte glutathione, plasma ceruloplasmin, transferrin and total iron binding capacity as markers of free radical scavenging. There were no significant differences in nitrotyrosine, total plasma thiol, protein thiol, and erythrocyte glutathione levels between diabetic patients with complications and without complications. However, plasma protein carbonyl, lipid hydroperoxide, and nonprotein thiol levels were significantly increased in diabetic patients with complications compared with diabetic patients without complications. Although redox status of plasma is impaired in diabetic patients, we suppose these significantly different markers reflect enhanced oxidative protein damage in diabetic patients with complications.

Effects of vitamin D replacement therapy on serum FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D-deficient women in short term

OBJECTIVE Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphatonin, inhibits renal phosphate reabsorption and suppresses 1-α hydroxylase activity. Calcitriol stimulates FGF23 synthesis in bone. We aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on serum FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D-deficient women and to compare the FGF23 concentrations of vitamin D-deficient patients with healthy subjects and patients with genetically determined hypophosphatemic rachitis. DESIGN AND METHODS The study group was composed of vitamin D-deficient females (n=18, mean age 29.1 ± 9.9 years), vitamin D-sufficient healthy females (control group; n=19, mean age 28.5 ± 5.2 years), and patients with genetically determined hypophosphatemic rachitis (n=13, mean age 26.5 ± 15.1 years). The groups were compared for serum FGF23, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D), calcium, phosphate, bone turnover markers, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate. The vitamin D-deficient group was re-evaluated after a standard treatment regimen. RESULTS Serum FGF23 concentrations were significantly lower in vitamin D-deficient patients than in vitamin D-sufficient women and hypophosphatemic rachitis group. Serum FGF23 and phosphate concentrations further decreased significantly during replacement of vitamin D (P<0.05). A significant negative correlation was evident between FGF23 and PTH before vitamin D replacement in the patients (r=-0.469, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Decreased FGF23 concentrations, which further decline during vitamin D replacement therapy, may have favorable action on bone mineralization by counterregulatory effect on phosphate homeostasis. Lower 1,25(OH)2D concentrations at baseline and hypophosphatemia during treatment may have dominating effects on FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D deficiency, leading to decreased FGF23 concentrations at baseline and during replacement therapy.

Influence of earthquake on the quality of life of patients with type 1 diabetes

We read with great interest the article by Wang et al.1 We would like to draw your attention to the results of our study which evaluated the impact of Marmara earthquakes (Turkey) on 17 August and 12 November 1999, on the quality of life (QoL) of our type 1 diabetic patients using the WHO Well Being Questionnaire (W-BQ). The study included a group of patients (n = 77; males 47%; age 24.2 ± 8.5 years) who had participated in a previous QoL study in October 1998 and they were affected by at least one of the quakes. For the new study, data were collected in the third month following the second quake and compared to results of the previous ones. In addition, metabolic control (HbA1c), body mass index and daily insulin requirement were assessed before and after earthquakes. In the meanwhile, the type of effect by the earthquake, socioeconomically and/or physically, was investigated via a questionnaire which was completed by the patients. According to our results,W-BQ scores were affected inversely by the quake. Mean total W-BQ score was decreased from 69 ± 13 to 44 ± 14 (P < 0.001). However, depression and anxiety scores increased significantly (prior and after the quake; 34 ± 14 vs 54 ± 13; P < 0.001 and 41 ± 18 vs 70 ± 19; P < 0.001, respectively). Our results also revealed the scores for positive well-being and energy decreased from 64 ± 21 to 36 ± 20 (P < 0.001) and from 73 ± 18 to 62 ± 20 (P = 0.008), respectively. When the data were compared before and after the quakes there was no difference for body mass index (23 ± 1.4 vs 23 ± 2.8 kg/m2). However, HbA1c (7.4 ± 1.5 vs 8.8 ± 2.5%; P < 0.001) and daily insulin requirement (0.58 ± 0.3 vs 0.75 ± 0.3 IU/kg per day; P < 0.001) were increased. Moreover, physical and/or socioeconomic impacts of the quake obtained from the questionnaire were not found to be changed in parallel to the psychological impact (DW-BQ scores) of the quake. Finally, we did not find any meaningful difference in W-BQ scores of the subgroups of those who were affected seriously or those who were affected minimally by the earthquake in terms of physical and socioeconomical levels. The fact may be explained by the limited number of injured people in the study cohort. Those who were not seriously affected still have a strong fear of a new quake.

Diabetes education: a chance to improve well-being of Turkish people with type 2 diabetes

To examine the influence of diabetes education on well-being, 255 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited according to whether they attended a diabetes education program (n=126) or not (n=129). In patients who had participated in the program, the mean anxiety score was significantly lower, whereas positive well-being and general well-being scores were significantly higher than for patients who had not participated. Factors related to lower well-being included: being female, taking insulin, not attending a diabetes education program and having HbA(1c) level greater than 8%. The odds of having better well-being were two-fold higher in patients participating the diabetes education program compared with those who had not. Diabetes education has a crucial role in improving the well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes. All patients with diabetes should be encouraged to attend a diabetes education program.

Factors affecting therapeutic response of adhesive capsulitis in type II diabetes mellitus

Forty-eight patients with type II diabetes mellitus were recruited for the study. Fifty-one shoulder joints with adhesive capsulitis were treated in this population. A physical therapy protocol including Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, pulsed ultrasound and exercises was applied to each patient. The patients were assessed on entry and termination of treatment and at 3 months post-treatment by Visual Analogue Scale for rest and activity pain intensity, active and passive range of motion of shoulder and Constant scores. The scores were compared between 18 patients with good glycemic control and no neuropathy and 30 patients with insufficient glycemic control and neuropathy. The results indicate that glycemia levels and neuropathy have no effect on response to physical therapy.

Turkish Nationwide SurvEy of Glycemic and OtherMetabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Study)

AIMS Turkey has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe. It is therefore essential to know the overall cardiovascular risk and reveal the predictors of metabolic control in Turkish adults with diabetes mellitus. METHODS A nationwide, multicenter survey consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow up for at least a year. Optimal control was defined as HbA1c < 7%, home arterial blood pressure (ABP) < 135/85 mmHg, or LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. Achieving all parameters indicated triple metabolic control. RESULTS HbA1c levels of patients (n = 5211) were 8.6 ± 1.9% (71 ± 22 mmol/mol) and 7.7 ± 1.7% (61 ± 19 mmol/mol), in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, respectively. Glycemic control was achieved in 15.3% and 40.2%, and triple metabolic control was achieved in 5.5% and 10.1%, respectively. Only 1.5% of patients met all the criteria of being non-obese, non-smoker, exercising, and under triple metabolic control. Low education level was a significant predictor of poor glycemic control in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Few patients with Type 2, and even fewer with Type 1 diabetes have optimal metabolic control in Turkey. TEMD study will provide evidence-based information to policy makers to focus more on the quality and sustainability of diabetes care in order to reduce the national burden of the disease.