T.S. Park

Hypoxia decreases Runx2/Cbfa1 expression in human osteoblast-like cells.

To elucidate the molecular mechanism in relation to vascular supply and osteoporosis, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on Runx2 expression in MG63 cells. Also investigated was expression of type I collagen and osteocalcin, which are regulated by Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) to see if they are affected by hypoxia. Quiescent cultures of MG63 cells were exposed to hypoxia (2% O(2)) and normoxia (18% O(2)) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. In cells exposed to hypoxia, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that mRNA expression of Runx2, type I collagen, osteocalcin, and ALPase were decreased in a time dependent manner to 96 h. Activity of ALPase was also reduced in the same manner. Western blotting showed a marked decrease in Runx2 protein at 96 h in cells under hypoxia compared to normoxia. These data indicate that Runx2 expression in osteoblasts is reduced by hypoxia, and may be a mechanism of osteoporosis by decreased vascular supply.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of tramadol/acetaminophen combination therapy and gabapentin in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

Diabet. Med. 27, 1033–1040 (2010)

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in hospital patients with Type 2 diabetes in Korea

Diabet. Med. 29, e290‐e296 (2012)

Extract from Dioscorea batatas ameliorates insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat diet.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Dioscorea batatas (DB) extract attenuates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance in the visceral adipose tissues of mice, and by what mechanism(s). Mice were fed a HFD for 4 weeks to induce the early development of insulin resistance. The DB extract was administered to mice fed a HFD by oral gavage at a dose of 100u2009mg/kg body weight daily for 7 weeks. Biochemical parameters in blood were measured using enzymatic kits, and the expression levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), phosphorylated (p-)S6K1, phosphorylated v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (p-AKT), and phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (p-ERK) in epididymal fat tissue were determined by western blot analyses. The DB extract effectively reversed the HFD-induced elevations in plasma glucose and insulin levels, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and oral glucose tolerance test values. The level of p-AKT protein was up-regulated, whereas the levels of p-ERK and p-S6K1 proteins were down-regulated in the adipose tissues of DB mice compared with HFD mice. Furthermore, the DB extract significantly reversed the HFD-induced decrease in the plasma membrane GLUT4 level in the adipose tissue of mice. The DB extract improved glucose metabolism in HFD-fed mice through the up-regulation of plasma membrane GLUT4 content in the visceral adipose tissue. Activation of the insulin signaling cascade leading to GLUT4 translocation was the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of the DB extract on early-stage obesity-induced insulin resistance.

Case report: diabetic muscle infarction presenting as knee arthralgia.

Abstract. Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes and has characteristic clinical features including acute onset of pain with painful swelling, most commonly in the thigh or calf muscle, which gradually improves to complete resolution. Recently we experienced a case of diabetic muscular infarction presenting as knee joint pain due to involvement of the proximal portion of the leg muscle, which site has not been reported previously. This case shows that diabetic muscle infarction may involve sites other than the thigh and calf areas and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of knee arthralgia.

The effect of α‐lipoic acid on symptoms and skin blood flow in diabetic neuropathy

Aimsu2003 Multiple pathogenic pathways are involved in diabetic neuropathy and diverse treatments have been tried without success. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of α‐lipoic acid on skin blood flow in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Artemisia iwayomogi Extract Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Decreasing the Expression of Genes Associated with Adipogenesis in Mice

The objective of the present study was to determine whether Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) extract reduces visceral fat accumulation and obesity-related biomarkers in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and if so, whether these effects are exerted by modulation of the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis and inflammation. AI extract supplementation for 11 weeks significantly prevented HFD-induced increments in body weight, visceral adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, and plasma levels of lipids and leptin. Additionally, AI extract supplementation resulted in downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ2 and C/EBPα) and their target genes (CD36, aP2, and FAS) in epididymal adipose tissue compared to the HFD alone. The AI extract effectively reversed the HFD-induced elevations in plasma glucose and insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index. Furthermore, the extract significantly decreased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MCP1, IL-6, IFNα, and INFβ) in epididymal adipose tissue and reduced plasma levels of TNFα and MCP1 as compared to HFD alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that AI extract may prevent HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders, probably by downregulating the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and inflammation in visceral adipose tissue.

Mediastinal mass and brachial plexopathy caused by subclavian arterial aneurysm in Behçet's disease

Abstract Vascular involvement in Behçets disease is divided into venous and arterial thrombosis and arterial aneurysmal formation. Subclavian arterial aneurysm rarely occurs in Behçets disease; however, when it does occur, it causes serious aneurysmal rupture and local complications such as nerve compression and arterial ischemia. We describe the case of a 39-year-old male who presented with neurologic symptoms and signs of brachial plexopathy and mediastinal mass caused by Behçets subclavian arterial aneurysm. This case shows that the occurrence of brachial plexopathy should be considered a manifestation of Behçets disease, and that Behçets aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper mediastinal mass.

Prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Korean Type 2 diabetic patients

Aimsu2003 The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Morphological comparison of small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa in non-diabetic and Type 2 diabetic subjects.

Aimu2002 To determine changes in small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa in patients with Type 2 diabetes by morphological observation.