Sample records for early diabetic cardiomyopathy

  1. Early administration of trimetazidine may prevent or ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Wenmeng, Wang; Qizhu, Tang

    2011-02-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a type of cardiac dysfunction resulting from diabetes, independent of vascular or valvular pathology. It clinically manifests initially as asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction and then progresses to symptomatic heart failure. Two major contributors to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which are unique to diabetes, are hyperglycemia and diabetes-related alterations in myocardial metabolism. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by reduced glucose and lactate metabolism and enhanced fatty acid metabolism, which are the early consequences of the disease. Studies on the effect of intensive glucose control on heart failure events in patients with diabetes have been conducted with neutral results. However, no study on the effect of metabolic modulators on the prevention of heart failure has been reported. Trimetazidine, a 3-ketoacyl coenzyme A thiolase (3-KAT) inhibitor, shifts cardiac energy metabolism from free fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation by inhibiting mitochondrial long-chain 3-KAT, and is used clinically as an effective antianginal agent. Studies have shown that trimetazidine improves heart function in patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy and in diabetic patients with cardiac ischemia or heart failure. In addition to being effective, trimetazidine has only mild side effects. Therefore, instead of routine administration of trimetazidine for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we hypothesize that the early application of trimetazidine may prevent or ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy. In addition to life style modifications, ACEI, ARB, and beta-blockers, which have been recommended in the past, trimetazidine should be administered to those patients with impaired glucose tolerance or patients in the early course of diabetes. In this way, we may reduce the prevalence of heart failure and improve the long-term survival of patients with diabetes through early normalization of the myocardial substrate metabolism

  2. Diagnostic approaches for diabetic cardiomyopathy and myocardial fibrosis

    PubMed Central

    Maya, Lisandro; Villarreal, Francisco J.

    2009-01-01

    In diabetes mellitus, alterations in cardiac structure/function in the absence of ischemic heart disease, hypertension or other cardiac pathologies is termed diabetic cardiomyopathy. In the United States, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise and the disease currently affects about 8% of the general population. Hence, it is imperative the use of appropriate diagnostic strategies for diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may help correctly identify the disease at early stages and implement suitable corrective therapies. Currently, there is no single diagnostic method for the identification of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is known to induce changes in cardiac structure such as, myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and fat droplet deposition. Early changes in cardiac function are typically manifested as abnormal diastolic function that with time leads to loss of contractile function. Echocardiography based methods currently stands as the preferred diagnostic approach for diabetic cardiomyopathy, due to its wide availability and economical use. In addition to conventional techniques, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy along with contrast agents are now leading new approaches in the diagnosis of myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac and hepatic metabolic changes. These strategies can be complemented with serum biomarkers so they can offer a clear picture as to diabetes-induced changes in cardiac structure/function even at very early stages of the disease. This review article intends to provide a summary of experimental and routine tools currently available to diagnose diabetic cardiomyopathy induced changes in cardiac structure/function. These tools can be reliably used in either experimental models of diabetes or for clinical applications. PMID:19595694

  3. Type I Diabetic Akita Mouse Model is Characterized by Abnormal Cardiac Deformation During Early Stages of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy with Speckle-Tracking Based Strain Imaging.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yingchao; Xiao, Hong; Wu, Jianfei; Zha, Lingfeng; Zhou, Mengchen; Li, Qianqian; Wang, Mengru; Shi, Shumei; Li, Yanze; Lyu, Liangkun; Wang, Qing; Tu, Xin; Lu, Qiulun

    2018-01-01

    Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been demonstrated to have a strong association with heart failure. Conventional echocardiographic analysis cannot sensitively monitor cardiac dysfunction in type I diabetic Akita hearts, but the phenotype of heart failure is observed in molecular levels during the early stages. Male Akita (Ins2WT/C96Y) mice were monitored with echocardiographic imaging at various ages, and then with conventional echocardiographic analysis and speckle-tracking based strain analyses. With speckle-tracking based strain analyses, diabetic Akita mice showed changes in average global radial strain at the age of 12 weeks, as well as decreased longitudinal strain. These changes occurred in the early stage and remained throughout the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy in Akita mice. Speckle-tracking showed that the detailed and precise changes of cardiac deformation in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy in the genetic type I diabetic Akita mice were uncoupled. We monitored early-stage changes in the heart of diabetic Akita mice. We utilize this technique to elucidate the underlying mechanism for heart failure in Akita genetic type I diabetic mice. It will further advance the assessment of cardiac abnormalities, as well as the discovery of new drug treatments using Akita genetic type I diabetic mice. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

  4. Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Bench to Bedside

    PubMed Central

    Schilling, Joel D.; Mann, Douglas L.

    2012-01-01

    The study of diabetic cardiomyopathy (diabetic CM) is an area of significant interest given the strong association between diabetes and the risk of heart failure. Many unanswered questions remain regarding the clinical definition and pathogenesis of this metabolic cardiomyopathy. This article reviews the current understanding of diabetic CM with a particular emphasis on the unresolved issues that have limited translation of scientific discovery to patient bedside. PMID:22999244

  5. Non-ischemic diabetic cardiomyopathy may initially exhibit a transient subclinical phase of hyperdynamic myocardial performance.

    PubMed

    Hensel, Kai O

    2016-09-01

    Cardiovascular complications are the key cause for mortality in diabetes mellitus. Besides ischemia-related cardiac malfunction there is growing evidence for non-ischemic diabetes-associated heart failure in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The underlying pathophysiology of non-ischemic diabetic cardiomyopathy (NIDC) is poorly understood and data on myocardial mechanics in early stages of the disease are rare. However, several studies in both human and experimental animal settings have reported prima facie unexplained features indicating myocardial hyperdynamics early in the course of the disease. The new hypothesis is that - other than previously thought - NIDC may be non-linear and initially feature an asymptomatic subclinical phase of myocardial hypercontractility that precedes the long-term development of diabetes-associated cardiac dysfunction and ultimately heart failure. Diabetes-induced metabolic imbalances may lead to a paradoxic inotropic increase and inefficient myocardial mechanics that finally result in a gradual deterioration of myocardial performance. In conclusion, diabetic patients should be screened regularly and early in the course of the disease utilizing ultra-sensitive myocardial deformation imaging in order to identify patients at risk for diabetes-associated heart failure. Moreover, hyperdynamic myocardial deformation might help distinguish non-ischemic from ischemic diabetic cardiomyopathy. Further studies are needed to illuminate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, the exact spatiotemporal evolvement of diabetic cardiomyopathy and its long-term relation to clinical outcome parameters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Metabolic Remodeling of the Heart

    PubMed Central

    Battiprolu, Pavan K.; Lopez-Crisosto, Camila; Wang, Zhao V.; Nemchenko, Andriy; Lavandero, Sergio; Hill, Joseph A.

    2012-01-01

    The incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus are each increasing rapidly in societies around the globe. The majority of patients with diabetes succumb ultimately to heart disease, much of which stems from atherosclerotic disease and hypertension. However, the diabetic milieu is itself intrinsically noxious to the heart, and cardiomyopathy can develop independent of elevated blood pressure or coronary artery disease. This process, termed diabetic cardiomyopathy, is characterized by significant changes in the physiology, structure, and mechanical function of the heart. Presently, therapy for patients with diabetes focuses largely on glucose control, and attention to the heart commences with the onset of symptoms. When the latter develops, standard therapy for heart failure is applied. However, recent studies highlight that specific elements of the pathogenesis of diabetic heart disease are unique, raising the prospect of diabetes-specific therapeutic intervention. Here, we review recently unveiled insights into the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy and associated metabolic remodeling with an eye toward identifying novel targets with therapeutic potential. PMID:23123443

  7. Increasing Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Flux as a Treatment for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Combined 13C Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance and Echocardiography Study.

    PubMed

    Le Page, Lydia M; Rider, Oliver J; Lewis, Andrew J; Ball, Vicky; Clarke, Kieran; Johansson, Edvin; Carr, Carolyn A; Heather, Lisa C; Tyler, Damian J

    2015-08-01

    Although diabetic cardiomyopathy is widely recognized, there are no specific treatments available. Altered myocardial substrate selection has emerged as a candidate mechanism behind the development of cardiac dysfunction in diabetes. As pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity appears central to the balance of substrate use, we aimed to investigate the relationship between PDH flux and myocardial function in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes and to explore whether or not increasing PDH flux, with dichloroacetate, would restore the balance of substrate use and improve cardiac function. All animals underwent in vivo hyperpolarized [1-(13)C]pyruvate magnetic resonance spectroscopy and echocardiography to assess cardiac PDH flux and function, respectively. Diabetic animals showed significantly higher blood glucose levels (10.8 ± 0.7 vs. 8.4 ± 0.5 mmol/L), lower PDH flux (0.005 ± 0.001 vs. 0.017 ± 0.002 s(-1)), and significantly impaired diastolic function (transmitral early diastolic peak velocity/early diastolic myocardial velocity ratio [E/E'] 12.2 ± 0.8 vs. 20 ± 2), which are in keeping with early diabetic cardiomyopathy. Twenty-eight days of treatment with dichloroacetate restored PDH flux to normal levels (0.018 ± 0.002 s(-1)), reversed diastolic dysfunction (E/E' 14 ± 1), and normalized blood glucose levels (7.5 ± 0.7 mmol/L). The treatment of diabetes with dichloroacetate therefore restored the balance of myocardial substrate selection, reversed diastolic dysfunction, and normalized blood glucose levels. This suggests that PDH modulation could be a novel therapy for the treatment and/or prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy. © 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

  8. Novel protective role of the circadian nuclear receptor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-α in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Yichao; Xu, Longwei; Ding, Song; Lin, Nan; Ji, Qingqi; Gao, Lingchen; Su, Yuanyuan; He, Ben; Pu, Jun

    2017-04-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a major complication that significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in diabetics with few therapies. Moreover, antidiabetic drugs reported inconsistent or even adverse cardiovascular effects, suggesting that it is important to exploit novel therapeutic targets against diabetic cardiomyopathy. Here, we observed that the nuclear melatonin receptor, the retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-α (RORα), was downregulated in diabetic hearts. By utilizing a mouse line with RORα disruption, we demonstrated that RORα deficiency led to significantly augmented diastolic dysfunction and cardiac remodeling induced by diabetes. Microscopic and molecular analyses further indicated that the detrimental effects of RORα deficiency were associated with aggravated myocardial apoptosis, autophagy dysfunction, and oxidative stress by disrupting antioxidant gene expression. By contrast, restoration of cardiac RORα levels in transgenic mice significantly improved cardiac functional and structural parameters at 8 weeks after diabetes induction. Consistent with genetic manipulation, pharmacological activation of RORα by melatonin and SR1078 (a synthetic agonist) showed beneficial effects against diabetic cardiomyopathy, while the RORα inhibitor SR3335 significantly exacerbated cardiac impairments in diabetic mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that cardiac-targeted manipulation of nuclear melatonin receptor RORα may hold promise for delaying diabetic cardiomyopathy development. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Myosin Heads Are Displaced from Actin Filaments in the In Situ Beating Rat Heart in Early Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Jenkins, Mathew J.; Pearson, James T.; Schwenke, Daryl O.; Edgley, Amanda J.; Sonobe, Takashi; Fujii, Yutaka; Ishibashi-Ueda, Hatsue; Kelly, Darren J.; Yagi, Naoto; Shirai, Mikiyasu

    2013-01-01

    Diabetes is independently associated with a specific cardiomyopathy, characterized by impaired cardiac muscle relaxation and force development. Using synchrotron radiation small-angle x-ray scattering, this study investigated in the in situ heart and in real-time whether changes in cross-bridge disposition and myosin interfilament spacing underlie the early development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Experiments were conducted using anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats 3 weeks after treatment with either vehicle (control) or streptozotocin (diabetic). Diffraction patterns were recorded during baseline and dobutamine infusions simultaneous with ventricular pressure-volumetry. From these diffraction patterns myosin mass transfer to actin filaments was assessed as the change in intensity ratio (I1,0/I1,1). In diabetic hearts cross-bridge disposition was most notably abnormal in the diastolic phase (p < 0.05) and to a lesser extent the systolic phase (p < 0.05). In diabetic rats only, there was a transmural gradient of contractile depression. Elevated diabetic end-diastolic intensity ratios were correlated with the suppression of diastolic function (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expected increase in myosin head transfer by dobutamine was significantly blunted in diabetic animals (p < 0.05). Interfilament spacing did not differ between groups. We reveal that impaired cross-bridge disposition and radial transfer may thus underlie the early decline in ventricular function observed in diabetic cardiomyopathy. PMID:23473489

  10. Early myocardial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice: a study using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Xichun; Tesiram, Yasvir A; Towner, Rheal A; Abbott, Andrew; Patterson, Eugene; Huang, Shijun; Garrett, Marion W; Chandrasekaran, Suresh; Matsuzaki, Satoshi; Szweda, Luke I; Gordon, Brian E; Kem, David C

    2007-01-01

    Background Diabetes is associated with a cardiomyopathy that is independent of coronary artery disease or hypertension. In the present study we used in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiographic techniques to examine and characterize early changes in myocardial function in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Methods Diabetes was induced in 8-week old C57BL/6 mice with two intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin. The blood glucose levels were maintained at 19–25 mmol/l using intermittent low dosages of long acting insulin glargine. MRI and echocardiography were performed at 4 weeks of diabetes (age of 12 weeks) in diabetic mice and age-matched controls. Results After 4 weeks of hyperglycemia one marker of mitochondrial function, NADH oxidase activity, was decreased to 50% of control animals. MRI studies of diabetic mice at 4 weeks demonstrated significant deficits in myocardial morphology and functionality including: a decreased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, an increased LV end-systolic diameter and volume, a diminished LV ejection fraction and cardiac output, a decreased LV circumferential shortening, and decreased LV peak ejection and filling rates. M-mode echocardiographic and Doppler flow studies of diabetic mice at 4 weeks showed a decreased wall thickening and increased E/A ratio, supporting both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that MRI interrogation can identify the onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice with its impaired functional capacity and altered morphology. The MRI technique will lend itself to repetitive study of early changes in cardiac function in small animal models of diabetic cardiomyopathy. PMID:17309798

  11. Disease modeling and phenotypic drug screening for diabetic cardiomyopathy using human induced pluripotent stem cells.

    PubMed

    Drawnel, Faye M; Boccardo, Stefano; Prummer, Michael; Delobel, Frédéric; Graff, Alexandra; Weber, Michael; Gérard, Régine; Badi, Laura; Kam-Thong, Tony; Bu, Lei; Jiang, Xin; Hoflack, Jean-Christophe; Kiialainen, Anna; Jeworutzki, Elena; Aoyama, Natsuyo; Carlson, Coby; Burcin, Mark; Gromo, Gianni; Boehringer, Markus; Stahlberg, Henning; Hall, Benjamin J; Magnone, Maria Chiara; Kolaja, Kyle; Chien, Kenneth R; Bailly, Jacques; Iacone, Roberto

    2014-11-06

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a complication of type 2 diabetes, with known contributions of lifestyle and genetics. We develop environmentally and genetically driven in vitro models of the condition using human-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes. First, we mimic diabetic clinical chemistry to induce a phenotypic surrogate of diabetic cardiomyopathy, observing structural and functional disarray. Next, we consider genetic effects by deriving cardiomyocytes from two diabetic patients with variable disease progression. The cardiomyopathic phenotype is recapitulated in the patient-specific cells basally, with a severity dependent on their original clinical status. These models are incorporated into successive levels of a screening platform, identifying drugs that preserve cardiomyocyte phenotype in vitro during diabetic stress. In this work, we present a patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of a complex metabolic condition, showing the power of this technique for discovery and testing of therapeutic strategies for a disease with ever-increasing clinical significance. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. In vivo targeted molecular magnetic resonance imaging of free radicals in diabetic cardiomyopathy within mice.

    PubMed

    Towner, R A; Smith, N; Saunders, D; Carrizales, J; Lupu, F; Silasi-Mansat, R; Ehrenshaft, M; Mason, R P

    2015-01-01

    Free radicals contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. We present a method for in vivo observation of free radical events within murine diabetic cardiomyopathy. This study reports on in vivo imaging of protein/lipid radicals using molecular MRI (mMRI) and immuno-spin trapping (IST) in diabetic cardiac muscle. To detect free radicals in diabetic cardiomyopathy, streptozotocin (STZ)-exposed mice were given 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and administered an anti-DMPO probe (biotin-anti-DMPO antibody-albumin-Gd-DTPA). For controls, non-diabetic mice were given DMPO (non-disease control), and administered an anti-DMPO probe; or diabetic mice were given DMPO but administered a non-specific IgG contrast agent instead of the anti-DMPO probe. DMPO administration started at 7 weeks following STZ treatment for 5 days, and the anti-DMPO probe was administered at 8 weeks for MRI detection. MRI was used to detect a significant increase (p < 0.001) in MRI signal intensity (SI) from anti-DMPO nitrone adducts in diabetic murine left-ventricular (LV) cardiac tissue, compared to controls. Regional increases in MR SI in the LV were found in the apical and upper-left areas (p < 0.01 for both), compared to controls. The biotin moiety of the anti-DMPO probe was targeted with fluorescently-labeled streptavidin to locate the anti-DMPO probe in excised cardiac tissues, which indicated elevated fluorescence only in cardiac muscle of mice administered the anti-DMPO probe. Oxidized lipids and proteins were also found to be significantly elevated (p < 0.05 for both) in diabetic cardiac muscle compared to controls. It can be concluded that diabetic mice have more heterogeneously distributed radicals in cardiac tissue than non-diabetic mice.

  13. Troxerutin protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy through NF‑κB/AKT/IRS1 in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yongzhi; Zheng, Guanzhong

    2017-06-01

    Troxerutin is a bioflavonoid, which can be used to treat venous disorders, thrombosis and cerebrovascular diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that it may also be used to prevent edemas. However, it is not known whether troxerutin protects against the cardiomyopathic complications of diabetes. In the present study, a rat model of type 2 diabetes was used to investigate the potential for troxerutin to protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy, through changes to nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) expression. Troxerutin administration significantly reduced heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose and plasma triglyceride levels across all measured time points. Furthermore, troxerutin significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels, NF‑κB protein expression, and suppressed the phosphorylated forms of AKT, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggested that troxerutin protects against cardiomyopathy via alterations in NF‑κB, AKT and IRS1 signaling, in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

  14. Diabetic cardiomyopathy: from the pathophysiology of the cardiac myocytes to current diagnosis and management strategies.

    PubMed

    Voulgari, Christina; Papadogiannis, Dimitrios; Tentolouris, Nicholas

    2010-10-21

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), although a distinct clinical entity, is also a part of the diabetic atherosclerosis process. It may be independent of the coexistence of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, or other macrovascular complications. Its pathological substrate is characterized by the presence of myocardial damage, reactive hypertrophy, and intermediary fibrosis, structural and functional changes of the small coronary vessels, disturbance of the management of the metabolic cardiovascular load, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. These alterations make the diabetic heart susceptible to ischemia and less able to recover from an ischemic attack. Arterial hypertension frequently coexists with and exacerbates cardiac functioning, leading to the premature appearance of heart failure. Classical and newer echocardiographic methods are available for early diagnosis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for DCM; targeting its pathophysiological substrate by effective risk management protects the myocardium from further damage and has a recognized primary role in its prevention. Its pathophysiological substrate is also the objective for the new therapies and alternative remedies.

  15. Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Where are we 40 years later?

    PubMed Central

    Sharma, Vijay; McNeill, John H

    2006-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac disease that arises as a result of the diabetic state, independent of vascular or valvular pathology. It manifests initially as asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction, which progresses to symptomatic heart failure. The compliance of the heart wall is decreased and contractile function is impaired. The pathophysiology is incompletely understood, but appears to be initiated both by hyperglycemia and changes in cardiac metabolism. These changes induce oxidative stress and activate a number of secondary messenger pathways, leading to cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and cell death. Alterations in contractile proteins and intracellular ions impair excitation-contraction coupling, while decreased autonomic responsiveness and autonomic neuropathy impair its regulation. Extensive structural abnormalities also occur, which have deleterious mechanical and functional consequences. PMID:16568154

  16. Generating double knockout mice to model genetic intervention for diabetic cardiomyopathy in humans.

    PubMed

    Chavali, Vishalakshi; Nandi, Shyam Sundar; Singh, Shree Ram; Mishra, Paras Kumar

    2014-01-01

    Diabetes is a rapidly increasing disease that enhances the chances of heart failure twofold to fourfold (as compared to age and sex matched nondiabetics) and becomes a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. There are two broad classifications of diabetes: type1 diabetes (T1D) and type2 diabetes (T2D). Several mice models mimic both T1D and T2D in humans. However, the genetic intervention to ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy in these mice often requires creating double knockout (DKO). In order to assess the therapeutic potential of a gene, that specific gene is either overexpressed (transgenic expression) or abrogated (knockout) in the diabetic mice. If the genetic mice model for diabetes is used, it is necessary to create DKO with transgenic/knockout of the target gene to investigate the specific role of that gene in pathological cardiac remodeling in diabetics. One of the important genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in diabetes is matrix metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp9). Mmp9 is a collagenase that remains latent in healthy hearts but induced in diabetic hearts. Activated Mmp9 degrades extracellular matrix (ECM) and increases matrix turnover causing cardiac fibrosis that leads to heart failure. Insulin2 mutant (Ins2+/-) Akita is a genetic model for T1D that becomes diabetic spontaneously at the age of 3-4 weeks and show robust hyperglycemia at the age of 10-12 weeks. It is a chronic model of T1D. In Ins2+/- Akita, Mmp9 is induced. To investigate the specific role of Mmp9 in diabetic hearts, it is necessary to create diabetic mice where Mmp9 gene is deleted. Here, we describe the method to generate Ins2+/-/Mmp9-/- (DKO) mice to determine whether the abrogation of Mmp9 ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy.

  17. Therapeutic targeting of oxidative stress with coenzyme Q10 counteracts exaggerated diabetic cardiomyopathy in a mouse model of diabetes with diminished PI3K(p110α) signaling.

    PubMed

    De Blasio, Miles J; Huynh, Karina; Qin, Chengxue; Rosli, Sarah; Kiriazis, Helen; Ayer, Anita; Cemerlang, Nelly; Stocker, Roland; Du, Xiao-Jun; McMullen, Julie R; Ritchie, Rebecca H

    2015-10-01

    Diabetes-induced cardiac complications include left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure. We previously demonstrated that LV phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α (PI3K) protects the heart against diabetic cardiomyopathy, associated with reduced NADPH oxidase expression and activity. Conversely, in dominant negative PI3K(p110α) transgenic mice (dnPI3K), reduced cardiac PI3K signaling exaggerated diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy, associated with upregulated NADPH oxidase. The goal was to examine whether chronic supplementation with the antioxidant coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) could attenuate LV superoxide and diabetic cardiomyopathy in a setting of impaired PI3K signaling. Diabetes was induced in 6-week-old nontransgenic and dnPI3K male mice via streptozotocin. After 4 weeks of diabetes, CoQ(10) supplementation commenced (10 mg/kg ip, 3 times/week, 8 weeks). At study end (12 weeks of diabetes), markers of LV function, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, collagen deposition, NADPH oxidase, oxidative stress (3-nitrotyrosine), and concentrations of CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) were determined. LV NADPH oxidase (Nox2 gene expression and activity, and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence), as well as oxidative stress, were increased by diabetes, exaggerated in diabetic dnPI3K mice, and attenuated by CoQ(10). Diabetes-induced LV diastolic dysfunction (prolonged deceleration time, elevated end-diastolic pressure, impaired E/A ratio), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, expression of atrial natriuretic peptide, connective tissue growth factor, and β-myosin heavy chain were all attenuated by CoQ(10). Chronic CoQ(10) supplementation attenuates aspects of diabetic cardiomyopathy, even in a setting of reduced cardiac PI3K protective signaling. Given that CoQ(10) supplementation has been suggested to have positive outcomes in heart failure patients, chronic CoQ(10) supplementation may be an attractive adjunct therapy for diabetic heart failure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights

  18. Myricitrin Alleviates Oxidative Stress-induced Inflammation and Apoptosis and Protects Mice against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Bin; Shen, Qiang; Chen, Yaping; Pan, Ruile; Kuang, Shihuan; Liu, Guiyan; Sun, Guibo; Sun, Xiaobo

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been increasingly considered as a main cause of heart failure and death in diabetic patients. At present, no effective treatment exists to prevent its development. In the present study, we describe the potential protective effects and mechanisms of myricitrin (Myr) on the cardiac function of streptozotosin-induced diabetic mice and on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In vitro experiments revealed that pretreatment with Myr significantly decreased AGEs-induced inflammatory cytokine expression, limited an increase in ROS levels, and reduced cell apoptosis, fibrosis, and hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. These effects are correlated with Nrf2 activation and NF-κB inhibition. In vivo investigation demonstrated that oral administration of Myr at 300 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks remarkably decreased the expression of enzymes associated with cardiomyopathy, as well as the expression of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic proteins. Finally, Myr improved diastolic dysfunction and attenuated histological abnormalities. Mechanistically, Myr attenuated diabetes-induced Nrf2 inhibition via the regulation of Akt and ERK phosphorylation in the diabetic heart. Collectively, these results strongly indicate that Myr exerts cardioprotective effects against DCM through the blockage of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. This suggests that Myr might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of DCM. PMID:28287141

  19. Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Have Worse Strain and Less Pronounced Sex Differences in Early Echocardiographic Markers of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Compared to Their Normoglycemic Peers: A RESistance to InSulin in Type 1 ANd Type 2 diabetes (RESISTANT) Study

    PubMed Central

    Bjornstad, Petter; Truong, Uyen; Pyle, Laura; Dorosz, Jennifer L.; Cree-Green, Melanie; Baumgartner, Amy; Coe, Gregory; Regensteiner, Judith G.; Reusch, Jane E.B.; Nadeau, Kristen J.

    2016-01-01

    Objective Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a major cause of morbidity, but limited data are available on early cardiac abnormalities in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated differences in myocardial strain in adolescents with and without T1D. We hypothesized that adolescents with T1D would have worse strain than their normoglycemic peers, which boys would have worse strain than girls, and that strain would correlate with glycemic control and adipokines. Methods We performed fasting laboratory measures and echocardiograms with speckle tracking to evaluate traditional echocardiographic measures in addition to longitudinal (LS) and circumferential (CS) strain, and in adolescents (15±2 years) with (19 boys; 22 girls) and without (16 boys; 32 girls) type 1 diabetes. Results Compared to controls, adolescents with type 1 diabetes had significantly lower CS (−20.9 vs. −22.7%, p=0.02), but not LS (p=0.83). Boys with T1D had significantly lower LS than girls with T1D (−17.5 vs. −19.7%, p=0.047), adjusted for Tanner stage. The significant sex differences observed in indexed left ventricular mass, left end-diastolic volume, diastolic septal and posterior wall thickness in our controls were lacking in adolescents with T1D. Conclusions Our observations suggest that youth with T1D have worse myocardial strain than normoglycemic peers. In addition, the relatively favorable cardiac profile observed in girls vs. boys in the control group, was attenuated in T1D. These early cardiovascular changes in youth with T1D are concerning and warrant longitudinal and mechanistic studies. PMID:27133451

  20. What's Cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... another over time. According to the pediatric cardiomyopathy survey, dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common (58%), followed ... and are replaced by fatty tissue. In the early stages of the disease, the right side of ...

  1. Improved early outcome for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy in children.

    PubMed

    McMahon, Anne-Marie; van Doorn, Carin; Burch, Michael; Whitmore, Pauline; Neligan, Sophie; Rees, Philip; Radley-Smith, Rosemary; Goldman, Allan; Brown, Katherine; Cohen, Gordon; Tsang, Victor; Elliott, Martin; de Leval, Marc R

    2003-12-01

    To review the impact of management changes on the early outcomes of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy in children. We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive children with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy who received hospital treatment since 1992. Over the past 3 years the following management changes were made: (1) more aggressive use of mechanical cardiac assistance; (2) high priority listing for transplantation; and (3) ABO incompatible transplants for infants. Outcomes for 46 patients admitted between 1992 and 1999 (group I) were compared with 53 patients between 2000 and March 2003 (group II). In group I, 12 (26%) patients received mechanical support with recovery in 3 and transplantation in 5 (1 died). In group II, 19 (36%) patients received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, with recovery in 5 and transplantation in 12 (all survived). The use of mechanical assistance was associated with high morbidity related to bleeding, end-organ failure, and long-term mechanical ventilation. Five patients in group II received ABO incompatible transplants and all survived. There have been no episodes of rejection or need for increased immunosuppressive therapy. Hospital mortality has been significantly reduced (group I, 37% vs group II, 11%; P <.05). Recent refinements in the management of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy in children have significantly reduced early mortality. Identification of markers of early myocardial recovery and development of mechanical devices for longer term and more physiologic support are essential to achieve further improvements in outcome.

  2. Nerve Growth Factor Gene Therapy Using Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Prevents Cardiomyopathy in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

    PubMed Central

    Meloni, Marco; Descamps, Betty; Caporali, Andrea; Zentilin, Lorena; Floris, Ilaria; Giacca, Mauro; Emanueli, Costanza

    2012-01-01

    Diabetes is a cause of cardiac dysfunction, reduced myocardial perfusion, and ultimately heart failure. Nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts protective effects on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated whether NGF gene transfer can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice. We worked with mice with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes and with nondiabetic control mice. After having established that diabetes reduces cardiac NGF mRNA expression, we tested NGF gene therapies with adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) for the capacity to protect the diabetic mouse heart. To this aim, after 2 weeks of diabetes, cardiac expression of human NGF or β-Gal (control) genes was induced by either intramyocardial injection of AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) or systemic delivery of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9). Nondiabetic mice were given AAV2–β-Gal or AAV9–β-Gal. We found that the diabetic mice receiving NGF gene transfer via either AAV2 or AAV9 were spared the progressive deterioration of cardiac function and left ventricular chamber dilatation observed in β-Gal–injected diabetic mice. Moreover, they were additionally protected from myocardial microvascular rarefaction, hypoperfusion, increased deposition of interstitial fibrosis, and increased apoptosis of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes, which afflicted the β-Gal–injected diabetic control mice. Our data suggest therapeutic potential of NGF for the prevention of cardiomyopathy in diabetic subjects. PMID:22187379

  3. Apigenin alleviates STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Liu, Huang-Jun; Fan, Yun-Lin; Liao, Hai-Han; Liu, Yuan; Chen, Si; Ma, Zhen-Guo; Zhang, Ning; Yang, Zheng; Deng, Wei; Tang, Qi-Zhu

    2017-04-01

    Apigenin is an important component of fruits and vegetables in human daily diets. Several cellular and animal models have been performed to demonstrate its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, the cardioprotective effects of apigenin in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remain unclear. In this study, we intended to explore the roles of apigenin in cardiac remodeling of DCM. Male C57BL/6 J mice were treated with streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days to induce DCM. The echocardiography and catheter-based measurements of hemodynamic parameters were performed to evaluate the cardiac function. Paraffin slices of harvested hearts were prepared for histological pathological analysis and TUNEL assay. Oxidative assay kits were used to detect Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Lipid Peroxidation Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Western blot and real-time PCR were used for accessing the expressions of protein and mRNA. Diabetes mellitus exacerbated the cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, and overaccumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal accompanying with down-regulation of Bcl2, GPx, and SOD, up-regulation of MDA, cleaved caspase3, and pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and contribution to the translocation of NF-κB. All these pathological changes could be effectively blunted by treatment of apigenin in vivo. Finally, H9c2 treated with high glucose or apigenin was used for further investigation of these effects in vitro; what is more, we also compared the effects between apigenin and Resveratrol in in vitro experiments. Our experiments have demonstrated that apigenin may be a potential drug for diabetic patients suffering from DCM.

  4. Dilated cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, including: Alcohol or cocaine abuse Diabetes, thyroid disease, or hepatitis Medicines that ... how much salt (sodium) you get in your diet. Most people who have heart failure need to ...

  5. In vitro/vivo drug release and anti-diabetic cardiomyopathy properties of curcumin/PBLG-PEG-PBLG nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Tong, Fei; Chai, Rongkui; Jiang, Haiying; Dong, Bo

    2018-01-01

    The objective of this study was to survey the therapeutic function of curcumin-encapsulated poly(gamma-benzyl l-glutamate)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(gammabenzyl l-glutamate) (PBLG-PEG-PBLG) (P) on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) via cross regulation effect of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and endogenous cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S). Diabetic rats were preconditioned with 20 mg/kg curcumin or curcumin/P complex continuously for 8 weeks. The blood and myocardiums were collected, the level of serum H 2 S was observed, and the [Ca 2+ ] i content was measured in myocardial cells, and hematoxylin-eosin, CaSR, CSE, and calmodulin (CaM) expression were detected. Both curcumin and curcumin/P pretreatment alleviated pathological morphological damage of myocardium, increased H 2 S and [Ca 2+ ] i levels, and upregulated the expression of CaSR, CSE, and CaM as compared to DCM group, while curcumin/P remarkably augmented this effect. PBLG-PEG-PBLG could improve water-solubility and bioactivity of curcumin and curcumin/PBLG-PEG-PBLG significantly alleviated diabetic cardiomyopathy.

  6. Mitochondrial Dynamics in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Galloway, Chad A.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Significance: Cardiac function is energetically demanding, reliant on efficient well-coupled mitochondria to generate adenosine triphosphate and fulfill the cardiac demand. Predictably then, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with cardiac pathologies, often related to metabolic disease, most commonly diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), characterized by decreased left ventricular function, arises independently of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Dysregulation of Ca2+ handling, metabolic changes, and oxidative stress are observed in DCM, abnormalities reflected in alterations in mitochondrial energetics. Cardiac tissue from DCM patients also presents with altered mitochondrial morphology, suggesting a possible role of mitochondrial dynamics in its pathological progression. Recent Advances: Abnormal mitochondrial morphology is associated with pathologies across diverse tissues, suggesting that this highly regulated process is essential for proper cell maintenance and physiological homeostasis. Highly structured cardiac myofibers were hypothesized to limit alterations in mitochondrial morphology; however, recent work has identified morphological changes in cardiac tissue, specifically in DCM. Critical Issues: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported independently from observations of altered mitochondrial morphology in DCM. The temporal relationship and causative nature between functional and morphological changes of mitochondria in the establishment/progression of DCM is unclear. Future Directions: Altered mitochondrial energetics and morphology are not only causal for but also consequential to reactive oxygen species production, hence exacerbating oxidative damage through reciprocal amplification, which is integral to the progression of DCM. Therefore, targeting mitochondria for DCM will require better mechanistic characterization of morphological distortion and bioenergetic dysfunction. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 22, 1545–1562. PMID

  7. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo attenuates diabetic cardiomyopathy through inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhihao; Zhang, Duoduo; Dou, Mengmeng; Li, Zhubo; Zhang, Jie; Zhao, Xiaoyan

    2016-12-01

    Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (Dendrobium catenatum Lindley), a prized traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used in China and Southeast Asian countries for centuries. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects and the possible mechanisms of the Dendrobium officinale extracts (DOE) on diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice. The diabetic model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at the dose of 50mg/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days. After 8 weeks treatment of DOE, mice were sacrificed, blood sample and heart tissues were collected. Our results showed that Streptozotocin-induced diabetic model was effectively achieved and serum CK and LDH levels were significantly increased in mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy. Pretreatment with DOE decreased the heart-to-body weight ratio (HW/BW) and showed an evident hypoglycemic effect. DOE pretreatment significantly decreased CK, LDH, TC and TG levels, limited the production of MDA and increased the activities of T-SOD. The histological analysis of Oil red O staining and Sirius red staining showed an obvious amelioration of cardiac injury, inhibition of cardiac lipid accumulation and deposition of collagen when pretreatment with DOE. In addition, Western blot detection and analysis showed that DOE down-regulated the expression of TGF-β, collegan-1, fibronectin, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β. In conclusion, our study suggested that DOE possesses the cardioprotective potential against diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress, cardiac lipid accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines and cardiac fibrosis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  8. Changes of myocardial lipidomics profiling in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy using UPLC/Q-TOF/MS analysis.

    PubMed

    Dong, Shifen; Zhang, Rong; Liang, Yaoyue; Shi, Jiachen; Li, Jiajia; Shang, Fei; Mao, Xuezhou; Sun, Jianning

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac dysfunction induced by changes in the structure and contractility of the myocardium that are initiated in part by alterations in energy substrates. The underlying mechanisms of DCM are still under controversial. The observation of lipids, especially lipidomics profiling, can provide an insight into the know the biomarkers of DCM. The aim of our research was to detect changes of myocardial lipidomics profiling in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Diabetic cardiomyopathy was induced by feeding a high-sucrose/fat diet (HSFD) for 28 weeks and streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to quadruple time-of flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer was used to acquire and analyze the lipidomics profiling of myocardial tissue. Meanwhile, parameters of cardiac function were collected using cardiac catheterization, and the cardiac index was calculated, and fasting blood glucose and lipid levels were measured by an ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. We detected 3023 positive ion peaks and 300 negative ion peaks. Levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (22:6/18:2), PC (22:6/18:1), PC (20:4/16:1), PC (16:1/18:3), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (20:4/18:2), and PE (20:4/16:0) were down-regulated, and PC (20:2/18:2), PC (18:0/16:0), and PC (20:4/18:0) were up-regulated in DCM model rats, when compared with control rats. Cardiac functions signed as values of left ventricular systolic pressure, maximal uprising velocity of left ventricular pressure and maximal decreasing velocity of left ventricular pressure were injured by 21-44%, and the cardiac index was increased by 25%, and fasting blood glucose and lipids were increased by 34-368%. Meanwhile, the cardiac lipid-related biomarkers have significant correlation with changes of cardiac function and cardiac index. UPLC/Q-TOF/MS analysis data suggested changes of some potential lipid biomarkers in the development of

  9. The Chinese Herb Yi-Qi-Huo-Xue Protects Cardiomyocyte Function in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiangsheng; Huang, Jing; Wang, Shengyi; Ni, Qing

    2018-01-01

    Aims. To study the effect of the Chinese herb Yi-qi-huo-xue on cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats. Methods . Rats were fed a high fat and high glucose diet and injected with 50 ml/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), followed by treatment with Yi-qi-huo-xue for 4 weeks. We measured the rats' heart weight index, observed the myocardial morphology using hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining, and determined the content of collagen types I and III in the myocardium using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We determined Bcl-2, Bax, and P53 protein expression by Western blot analysis and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate via a flow cytometry assay. Results. Compared with the rats in the control group, the diabetic rats gained weight and had increased blood sugar levels, an enhanced heart weight index, and increased myocardial pathophysiological damage. There was a decrease in their Bcl-2 expression, and their Bax and P53 expression increased. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was enhanced, and there was an increase in the content of collagen types I and III in the myocardium. After treatment with Yi-qi-huo-xue, all levels listed above returned to normal. Conclusion. The Chinese herb Yi-qi-huo-xue degraded the myocardial interstitial collagen types I and III to protect the myocardium of the diabetic rats, thus delaying the role of myocardial fibrosis. Yi-qi-huo-xue could play an important role in protecting the myocardium of DCM rats by enhancing the expression of the Bcl-2 protein, inhibiting the expression of the Bax and P53 proteins, increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and inhibiting the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

  10. Glucagon-like peptide-1 ameliorates cardiac lipotoxicity in diabetic cardiomyopathy via the PPARα pathway.

    PubMed

    Wu, Lujin; Wang, Ke; Wang, Wei; Wen, Zheng; Wang, Peihua; Liu, Lei; Wang, Dao Wen

    2018-04-16

    Lipotoxicity cardiomyopathy is the result of excessive accumulation and oxidation of toxic lipids in the heart. It is a major threat to patients with diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has aroused considerable interest as a novel therapeutic target for diabetes mellitus because it stimulates insulin secretion. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of the GLP-1 analog exendin-4 and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor saxagliptin on cardiac lipid metabolism in diabetic mice (DM). The increased myocardial lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cardiac remodeling and dysfunction induced in DM by low streptozotocin doses and high-fat diets were significantly reversed by exendin-4 and saxagliptin treatments for 8 weeks. We found that exendin-4 inhibited abnormal activation of the (PPARα)-CD36 pathway by stimulating protein kinase A (PKA) but suppressing the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) pathway in DM hearts, palmitic acid (PA)-treated rat h9c2 cardiomyocytes (CMs), and isolated adult mouse CMs. Cardioprotection in DM mediated by exendin-4 was abolished by combination therapy with the PPARα agonist wy-14643 but mimicked by PPARα gene deficiency. Therefore, the PPARα pathway accounted for the effects of exendin-4. This conclusion was confirmed in cardiac-restricted overexpression of PPARα mediated by adeno-associated virus serotype-9 containing a cardiac troponin T promoter. Our results provide the first direct evidence that GLP-1 protects cardiac function by inhibiting the ROCK/PPARα pathway, thereby ameliorating lipotoxicity in diabetic cardiomyopathy. © 2018 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  11. Atorvastatin reduces β-Adrenergic dysfunction in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Carillion, Aude; Feldman, Sarah; Na, Na; Biais, Matthieu; Carpentier, Wassila; Birenbaum, Aurélie; Cagnard, Nicolas; Loyer, Xavier; Bonnefont-Rousselot, Dominique; Hatem, Stéphane; Riou, Bruno; Amour, Julien

    2017-01-01

    In the diabetic heart the β-adrenergic response is altered partly by down-regulation of the β1-adrenoceptor, reducing its positive inotropic effect and up-regulation of the β3-adrenoceptor, increasing its negative inotropic effect. Statins have clinical benefits on morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients which are attributed to their "pleiotropic" effects. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of statin treatment on β-adrenergic dysfunction in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes. β-adrenergic responses were investigated in vivo (echocardiography) and ex vivo (left ventricular papillary muscles) in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, who were pre-treated or not by oral atorvastatin over 15 days (50 mg.kg-1.day-1). Micro-array analysis and immunoblotting were performed in left ventricular homogenates. Data are presented as mean percentage of baseline ± SD. Atorvastatin restored the impaired positive inotropic effect of β-adrenergic stimulation in diabetic hearts compared with healthy hearts both in vivo and ex vivo but did not suppress the diastolic dysfunction of diabetes. Atorvastatin changed the RNA expression of 9 genes in the β-adrenergic pathway and corrected the protein expression of β1-adrenoceptor and β1/β3-adrenoceptor ratio, and multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition abolished the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on the β-adrenoceptor response. Atorvastatin restored the positive inotropic effect of the β-adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy. This effect is mediated by multiple modifications in expression of proteins in the β-adrenergic signaling pathway, particularly through the NOS pathway.

  12. FT011, a new anti-fibrotic drug, attenuates fibrosis and chronic heart failure in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yuan; Edgley, Amanda J; Cox, Alison J; Powell, Andrew K; Wang, Bing; Kompa, Andrew R; Stapleton, David I; Zammit, Steven C; Williams, Spencer J; Krum, Henry; Gilbert, Richard E; Kelly, Darren J

    2012-05-01

    Cardiac remodelling in diabetes includes pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix and myocyte hypertrophy that contribute to heart dysfunction. Attenuation of remodelling represents a potential therapeutic target. We tested this hypothesis using a new anti-fibrotic drug, FT011 (Fibrotech Therapeutics Pty Ltd), on diabetic Ren-2 rats, a model which replicates many of the structural and functional manifestations of diabetic cardiomyopathy in humans. Homozygous Ren-2 rats were randomized to receive streptozotocin or vehicle then further randomized to FT011 (200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle treatment for 6 weeks. Prior to tissue collection, cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Total collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were assessed by picrosirius red and haematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. Macrophage interstitial infiltration and type I and III collagen were quantitated by immunostaining. Without affecting blood pressure or hyperglycaemia, treatment of diabetic rats with FT011 significantly attenuated interstitial fibrosis (total collagen, 5.09 ±1.28 vs, 2.42 ±0.43%/area; type I collagen, 4.09 ±1.16 vs. 1.42 ±0.38%/area; type III collagen, 1.52 ±0.33 vs. 0.71 ±0.14 %/area; P < 0.05), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (882 ±38 vs. 659 ±28 µm(2); P < 0.05), and interstitial macrophage influx (66 ±5.3 vs, 44 ±7.9 number/section; P < 0.05). Cardiac myopathic dilatation was normalized, as evidenced by reduced left ventricular inner diameter at diastole (0.642 ±0.016 vs. 0.577 ±0.024 cm), increased ejection fraction (75 ±1.1 vs. 83 ±1.2%) and preload recruitable stroke work relationship (44 ±6.7 vs. 77 ±6.3 slope-mmHg; P < 0.05), and reduced end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (0.059 ±0.011 vs. 0.02 ±0.003 slope-mmHg/μL; P < 0.05). A direct anti-fibrotic agent, FT011, attenuates cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy. This represents a novel therapy

  13. Atorvastatin reduces β-Adrenergic dysfunction in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Carillion, Aude; Feldman, Sarah; Na, Na; Biais, Matthieu; Carpentier, Wassila; Birenbaum, Aurélie; Cagnard, Nicolas; Loyer, Xavier; Bonnefont-Rousselot, Dominique; Hatem, Stéphane; Riou, Bruno

    2017-01-01

    Background In the diabetic heart the β-adrenergic response is altered partly by down-regulation of the β1-adrenoceptor, reducing its positive inotropic effect and up-regulation of the β3-adrenoceptor, increasing its negative inotropic effect. Statins have clinical benefits on morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients which are attributed to their “pleiotropic” effects. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of statin treatment on β-adrenergic dysfunction in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes. Methods β-adrenergic responses were investigated in vivo (echocardiography) and ex vivo (left ventricular papillary muscles) in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, who were pre-treated or not by oral atorvastatin over 15 days (50 mg.kg-1.day-1). Micro-array analysis and immunoblotting were performed in left ventricular homogenates. Data are presented as mean percentage of baseline ± SD. Results Atorvastatin restored the impaired positive inotropic effect of β-adrenergic stimulation in diabetic hearts compared with healthy hearts both in vivo and ex vivo but did not suppress the diastolic dysfunction of diabetes. Atorvastatin changed the RNA expression of 9 genes in the β-adrenergic pathway and corrected the protein expression of β1-adrenoceptor and β1/β3-adrenoceptor ratio, and multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition abolished the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on the β-adrenoceptor response. Conclusions Atorvastatin restored the positive inotropic effect of the β-adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy. This effect is mediated by multiple modifications in expression of proteins in the β-adrenergic signaling pathway, particularly through the NOS pathway. PMID:28727746

  14. FGF21 deletion exacerbates diabetic cardiomyopathy by aggravating cardiac lipid accumulation

    PubMed Central

    Yan, Xiaoqing; Chen, Jun; Zhang, Chi; Zhou, Shanshan; Zhang, Zhiguo; Chen, Jing; Feng, Wenke; Li, Xiaokun; Tan, Yi

    2015-01-01

    Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays an important role in energy homoeostasis. The unaddressed question of FGF21’s effect on the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is investigated here with FGF21 knockout (FGF21KO) diabetic mice. Type 1 diabetes was induced in both FGF21KO and C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice via streptozotocin. At 1, 2 and 4 months after diabetes onset, the plasma FGF21 levels were significantly decreased in WT diabetic mice compared to controls. There was no significant difference between FGF21KO and WT diabetic mice in blood glucose and triglyceride levels. FGF21KO diabetic mice showed earlier and more severe cardiac dysfunction, remodelling and oxidative stress, as well as greater increase in cardiac lipid accumulation than WT diabetic mice. Western blots showed that increased cardiac lipid accumulation was accompanied by further increases in the expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and its target protein CD36, along with decreases in the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and the expression of hexokinase II and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α in the heart of FGF21KO diabetic mice compared to WT diabetic mice. Our results demonstrate that FGF21 deletion-aggravated cardiac lipid accumulation is likely mediated by cardiac Nrf2-driven CD36 up-regulation, which may contribute to the increased cardiac oxidative stress and remodelling, and the eventual development of DCM. These findings suggest that FGF21 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of DCM. PMID:25823710

  15. Sinomenine prevents the development of cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and blocking activation of NF-κB.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Cheng; Tong, Yun-Long; Zhang, Dan; Liu, Li-Zhi; Wang, Ju-Fei

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The goal of current work was to study the effects of sinomenine on streptozotocin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. DM in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Cardiac function was evaluated by measuring left ventricle end-diastolic diameter, left ventricle end-systolic diameter and ejection fraction. Cardiac inflammation was evaluated by the degree of infiltration of T lymphocytes and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sinomenine attenuated diabetic symptoms without affecting plasma glucose. Cardiac dysfunction in the sinomenine-treated diabetic rats was significantly improved, as reflected by decreased levels of left ventricle end-diastolic diameter, left ventricle end systolic diameter and an increased level of ejection fraction. Sinomenine observably reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in DM rats. Moreover, sinomenine reduced infiltration of CD3+ and CD68+ positive cells and decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-1 and interlukin-6. Finally, sinomenine-treated rats showed a reduced expression of NF-κB and an increased expression of IκB in the myocardium compared with the myocardium of untreated diabetic rats. Our results indicate sinomenine significantly improves cardiac function in diabetic rats, which may be attributed to the deactivation of NF-κB and the blockade of inflammatory cytokine-mediated immune reactions.

  16. Complex phenotype linked to a mutation in exon 11 of the lamin A/C gene: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrioventricular block, severe dyslipidemia and diabetes.

    PubMed

    Francisco, Ana Rita G; Santos Gonçalves, Inês; Veiga, Fátima; Mendes Pedro, Mónica; Pinto, Fausto J; Brito, Dulce

    2017-09-01

    The lamin A/C (LMNA) gene encodes lamins A and C, which have an important role in nuclear cohesion and chromatin organization. Mutations in this gene usually lead to the so-called laminopathies, the primary cardiac manifestations of which are dilated cardiomyopathy and intracardiac conduction defects. Some mutations, associated with lipodystrophy but not cardiomyopathy, have been linked to metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes and severe dyslipidemia. Herein we describe a new phenotype associated with a mutation in exon 11 of the LMNA gene: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrioventricular block, severe dyslipidemia and diabetes. A 64-year-old woman with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a point mutation in exon 11 of the LMNA gene (c.1718C>T, Ser573Leu) presented with severe symptomatic ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. She underwent septal alcohol ablation, followed by Morrow myectomy. The patient was also diagnosed with severe dyslipidemia, diabetes and obesity, and fulfilled diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. No other characteristics of LMNA mutation-related phenotypes were identified. The development of type III atrioventricular block with no apparent cause, and mildly depressed systolic function, prompted referral for cardiac resynchronization therapy. In conclusion, the association between LMNA mutations and different phenotypes is complex and not fully understood, and can present with a broad spectrum of severity. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  17. Phytochemicals as Prototypes for Pharmaceutical Leads Towards Drug Development Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Ojha, Shreesh; Kurdi, Amani; Sadek, Bassem; Kaleem, M; Cai, Lu; Kamal, M A; Rajesh, Mohanraj

    2016-01-01

    Globally diabetes mellitus (DM) is swiftly reaching epidemic proportions and impose major health care and socio-economic challenges that are associated with its complications. DM is considered as the major risk factor for the development of debilitating micro & macro vascular complications. Clinical studies have revealed that development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in subjects with diabetes can occur both- dependent and independent of pre-existing increased risk factors such as poor glycemic control, hyperlipidemia, and or hypertension. Therefore, DCM represents as a major challenge for the clinical community for the prompt diagnosis and devising the treatment paradigm to combat the diabetes induced cardiac dysfunction. In Chinese traditional medical practice, heart ailments have been coped with herbal extracts. Phytochemicals bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties are to yet be established completely in human subjects. However, tremendous progress has been made to isolate, purify the phytochemicals and characterize their effects on mitigating the development of DCM in pre-clinical models. Currently there are no approved drugs available for the treatment of DCM. In this review, we have discussed the progress made in understanding the mechanisms for the phytochemicals cardio-protective actions in the diabetic milieu and their caveats and provide future perspectives for proposing these agents to serve as prototypes in the development of drugs for the management of DCM.

  18. Tiny molecule, big power: Multi-target approach for curcumin in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Karuppagounder, Vengadeshprabhu; Arumugam, Somasundaram; Giridharan, Vijayasree V; Sreedhar, Remya; Bose, Rajendran J C; Vanama, Jyothi; Palaniyandi, Suresh S; Konishi, Tetsuya; Watanabe, Kenichi; Thandavarayan, Rajarajan A

    2017-02-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is described as impaired cardiac diastolic and systolic functions. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a related cardiovascular disease, has become one of the major causes of death in DM patients. Mortality in these diseases is 2 to 3 times higher than in non-DM patients with cardiovascular disease. The progression of DCM and the cellular and molecular perturbations associated with the pathogenesis are complex and multifactorial. Although considerable progress has been achieved, the molecular etiologies of DCM remain poorly understood. There is an expanding need for natural antidiabetic medicines that do not cause the side effects of modern drugs. Curcumin, a pleiotropic molecule, from Curcuma longa, is known to possess numerous impacts such as scavenging free radical, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiinflammatory activities. The reports from preclinical and clinical findings revealed that curcumin can reverse insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, obesity, and obesity-related metabolic diseases. The current review provides an updated overview of the possible molecular mechanism of DCM and multitarget approach of curcumin in alleviating DCM and diabetic complication. Additionally, we mentioned the approaches that are currently being implemented to improve the bioavailability of this promising natural product in diabetes therapeutics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation alterations in heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and diabetic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Fillmore, N; Mori, J; Lopaschuk, G D

    2014-01-01

    Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. In many forms of heart disease, including heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and diabetic cardiomyopathies, changes in cardiac mitochondrial energy metabolism contribute to contractile dysfunction and to a decrease in cardiac efficiency. Specific metabolic changes include a relative increase in cardiac fatty acid oxidation rates and an uncoupling of glycolysis from glucose oxidation. In heart failure, overall mitochondrial oxidative metabolism can be impaired while, in ischaemic heart disease, energy production is impaired due to a limitation of oxygen supply. In both of these conditions, residual mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation dominates over mitochondrial glucose oxidation. In diabetes, the ratio of cardiac fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation also increases, although primarily due to an increase in fatty acid oxidation and an inhibition of glucose oxidation. Recent evidence suggests that therapeutically regulating cardiac energy metabolism by reducing fatty acid oxidation and/or increasing glucose oxidation can improve cardiac function of the ischaemic heart, the failing heart and in diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this article, we review the cardiac mitochondrial energy metabolic changes that occur in these forms of heart disease, what role alterations in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation have in contributing to cardiac dysfunction and the potential for targeting fatty acid oxidation to treat these forms of heart disease. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-8 PMID:24147975

  20. Triptolide improves systolic function and myocardial energy metabolism of diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Liang, Zhongshu; Leo, Sunnar; Wen, Helin; Ouyang, Mao; Jiang, Weihong; Yang, Kan

    2015-05-13

    Triptolide treatment leads to an improvement in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. DCM is characterized by abnormal cardiac energy metabolism. We hypothesized that triptolide ameliorated cardiac metabolic abnormalities in DCM. We proposed (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P NMR) spectrometry method for assessing cardiac energy metabolism in vivo and evaluating the effect of triptolide treatment in DCM rats. Six weeks triptolide treatment was conducted on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with dose of 100, 200 or 400 μg/kg/day respectively. Sex- and age-matched non-diabetic rats were used as control group. Cardiac chamber dimension and function were determined with echocardiography. Whole heart preparations were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and (31)P NMR spectroscopy was performed. Cardiac p38 Mitogen Activating Protein Kinase (MAPK) was measured using real time PCR and western blot analysis. In diabetic rats, cardiac mass index was significantly higher, where as cardiac EF was lower than control group. (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed that ATP and pCr concentrations in diabetic groups were also remarkably lower than control group. Compared to non-treated diabetic rats, triptolide-treated diabetic groups showed remarkable lower cardiac mass index and higher EF, ATP, pCr concentrations, and P38 MAPK expressions. Best improvement was seen in group treated with Triptolide with dose 200 μg/kg/day. (31)P NMR spectroscopy enables assessment of cardiac energy metabolism in whole heart preparations. It detects energy metabolic abnormalities in DCM hearts. Triptolide therapy improves cardiac function and increases cardiac energy metabolism at least partly through upregulation of MAPK signaling transduction.

  1. Prevention by sulforaphane of diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with up-regulation of Nrf2 expression and transcription activation.

    PubMed

    Bai, Yang; Cui, Wenpeng; Xin, Ying; Miao, Xiao; Barati, Michelle T; Zhang, Chi; Chen, Qiang; Tan, Yi; Cui, Taixing; Zheng, Yang; Cai, Lu

    2013-04-01

    This study was to investigate whether sulforaphane (SFN) can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy. Type 1 diabetes was induced in FVB mice by multiple intraperitoneal injections with low-dose streptozotocin. Hyperglycemic and age-matched control mice were treated with or without SFN at 0.5mg/kg daily in five days of each week for 3 months and then kept until 6 months. At 3 and 6 months of diabetes, blood pressure and cardiac function were assessed. Cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative damage were assessed by Western blot, real-time qPCR, and histopathological examination. SFN significantly prevented diabetes-induced high blood pressure and cardiac dysfunction at both 3 and 6 months, and also prevented diabetes-induced cardiac hypertrophy (increased the ratio of heart weight to tibia length and the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA and protein) and fibrosis (increased the accumulation of collagen and expression of connective tissue growth factor and tissue growth factor-β). SFN also almost completely prevented diabetes-induced cardiac oxidative damage (increased accumulation of 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and inflammation (increased tumor necrotic factor-α and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 expression). SFN up-regulated NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and transcription activity that was reflected by increased Nrf2 nuclear accumulation and phosphorylation as well as the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 downstream antioxidants. Furthermore, in cultured H9c2 cardiac cells silencing Nrf2 gene with its siRNA abolished the SFN's prevention of high glucose-induced fibrotic response. These results suggest that diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy can be prevented by SFN, which was associated with the up-regulated Nrf2 expression and transcription function. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. A Comparative Summary on Antioxidant-like Actions of Timolol with Other Antioxidants in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Turan, Belma

    2016-01-01

    Cellular signaling associated with cardiac β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) is composed of coupled mechanism among β 1-/β2-AR and Gs proteins with contribution of constitutive β3-AR coupling to Gi proteins. However, down-regulation of β-ARs in the heart under pathological conditions is mediated with a signaling G proteins-included mechanism. Additionally, there are serious conflicting data on this field in literature yet. Although some of these conflictions are generally related with either experimental protocols for different approaches or different animal models. To treat cardiovascular disorders, generally, various types of β-blockers are used while their action mechanisms are not fully known yet. Furthermore, although β-blockers are generally used to block the activated β-ARs, they can be used to scavenge free radicals under oxidative stress. Studies, in whole-system, organ or cellular levels, showed that some β-blockers, including timolol, have protective-actions against increased oxidative stress in diseased heart via ROSscavenging. Additionally, it has been mentioned that some β-blockers nicely prevented the development of heart failure in both experimental and clinical studies by restoring sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release channels, RyR2. Since diabetic cardiomyopathy is recognized due to its diminished responsiveness to β1-AR agonist stimulation in the heart with an up-regulation of β 3-AR, inducing a strong negative inotropic effect on left ventricular function, it has been shown that treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats with timolol provided a marked cardio-protection. Importantly, it has been also documented that timolol treatment-dependent cardio-protection in diabetic rats includes basically prevention of RyR2- hyperphosphorylation, which, in turn, block Ca(2+)-leakage from SR via scavenging oxidative agents to control redox-state of cardiomyocytes. This action of timolol in diabetic heart is very similar to other known

  3. Potential role of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) in diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats: An in vivo approach.

    PubMed

    Li, Weizhen; Chen, Songwen; Zhou, Genqing; Li, Hongli; Zhong, Lan; Liu, Shaowen

    2018-03-01

    The present study aimed to evaluate the importance of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) of diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats. The rats were induced with diabetic using streptozotocin and total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were determined. The range of myocardial enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were also estimated, further, the Immuno histochemical analysis and western blot investigation were determined for the actual activity of C3G. Results indicated that the marker enzymes such as CK, LD and AST were significantly ( P  < 0.05) increased in STZ administered rats (DM group), while the levels of these elevated marker enzymes of cardiac injury significantly ( P  < 0.05) declined in the DM + C3G group, as compared to the diabetic group of rats. Additionally, a decrease in the level of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, was noticed in the C3G treated group as compared to diabetic group. Finally, blotting analysis clearly confirmed that theC3G treatment resulted to higher level response of Bcl-2 and lower level response of caspase-3 and BAX. In conclusion, C3G a natural antioxidant may prevent cardiovascular complications by ameliorating oxidative damage, inflammation, metabolic dysfunctions and apoptosis pathways in type 2 diabetes.

  4. FP-receptor gene silencing ameliorates myocardial fibrosis and protects from diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Ding, Wen-yuan; Liu, Lin; Wang, Zhi-hao; Tang, Meng-xiong; Ti, Yun; Han, Lu; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Yun; Zhong, Ming; Zhang, Wei

    2014-06-01

    Prostaglandin F2(α)-F-prostanoid (PGF2(α)-FP) receptor is closely related to insulin resistance, which plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). We sought to reveal whether PGF2(α)-FP receptor plays an important part in modulating DCM and the mechanisms involved. We established the type 2 diabetes rat model by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and then evaluated its characteristics by metabolite tests, Western blot analysis for FP-receptor expression, histopathologic analyses of cardiomyocyte density and fibrosis area. Next, we used gene silencing to investigate the role of FP receptor in the pathophysiologic features of DCM. Our study showed elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels, severe insulin resistance, and FP-receptor overexpression in diabetic rats. The collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular collagen area/luminal area (PVCA/LA) were higher in the diabetic group than the control group (CVF% 10.99 ± 0.99 vs 1.59 ± 0.18, P < 0.05; PVCA/LA% 17.07 ± 2.61 vs 2.86 ± 0.69, P < 0.05). We found that the silencing of FP receptor decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels and ameliorated insulin resistance. The CVF and PVCF/LA were significantly downregulated in FP-receptor short hairpin RNA (shRNA) treatment group (FP-receptor shRNA group vs vehicle group: CVF% 5.59 ± 0.92 vs 10.97 ± 1.33, P < 0.05, PVCA/LA% 4.74 ± 1.57 vs 14.79 ± 2.22, P < 0.05; FP-receptor shRNA + PGF2(α) group vs vehicle group : CVF% 5.19 ± 0.79 vs 10.97 ± 1.33, P < 0.05, PVCA/LA% 5.96 ± 1.15 vs 14.79 ± 2.22, P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, with FP-receptor gene silencing, the activated protein kinase C (PKC) and Rho kinase were significantly decreased, and the blunted phosphorylation of Akt was restored. FP-receptor gene silencing may exert a protective effect on DCM by improving myocardial fibrosis

  5. Cardiac-Specific IGF-1 Receptor Transgenic Expression Protects Against Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Huynh, Karina; McMullen, Julie R.; Julius, Tracey L.; Tan, Joon Win; Love, Jane E.; Cemerlang, Nelly; Kiriazis, Helen; Du, Xiao-Jun; Ritchie, Rebecca H.

    2010-01-01

    OBJECTIVE Compelling epidemiological and clinical evidence has identified a specific cardiomyopathy in diabetes, characterized by early diastolic dysfunction and adverse structural remodeling. Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor (IGF-1R) promotes physiological cardiac growth and enhances contractile function. The aim of the present study was to examine whether cardiac-specific overexpression of IGF-1R prevents diabetes-induced myocardial remodeling and dysfunction associated with a murine model of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Type 1 diabetes was induced in 7-week-old male IGF-1R transgenic mice using streptozotocin and followed for 8 weeks. Diastolic and systolic function was assessed using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography, respectively, in addition to cardiac catheterization. Cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte width, heart weight index, gene expression, Akt activity, and IGF-1R protein content were also assessed. RESULTS Nontransgenic (Ntg) diabetic mice had reduced initial (E)-to-second (A) blood flow velocity ratio (E:A ratio) and prolonged deceleration times on Doppler echocardiography compared with nondiabetic counterparts, indicative markers of diastolic dysfunction. Diabetes also increased cardiomyocyte width, collagen deposition, and prohypertrophic and profibrotic gene expression compared with Ntg nondiabetic littermates. Overexpression of the IGF-1R transgene markedly reduced collagen deposition, accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of diastolic dysfunction. Akt phosphorylation was elevated ∼15-fold in IGF-1R nondiabetic mice compared with Ntg, and this was maintained in a setting of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that cardiac overexpression of IGF-1R prevented diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Targeting IGF-1R–Akt signaling may represent a therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic cardiac disease. PMID:20215428

  6. Deletion of interleukin-6 alleviated interstitial fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy of mice through affecting TGFβ1 and miR-29 pathways.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yang; Wang, Jing-Hao; Zhang, Yi-Yuan; Wang, Ying-Zhe; Wang, Jin; Zhao, Yue; Jin, Xue-Xin; Xue, Gen-Long; Li, Peng-Hui; Sun, Yi-Lin; Huang, Qi-He; Song, Xiao-Tong; Zhang, Zhi-Ren; Gao, Xu; Yang, Bao-Feng; Du, Zhi-Min; Pan, Zhen-Wei

    2016-03-14

    Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to be an important regulator of cardiac interstitial fibrosis. In this study, we explored the role of interleukin-6 in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanisms. Cardiac function of IL-6 knockout mice was significantly improved and interstitial fibrosis was apparently alleviated in comparison with wildtype (WT) diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Treatment with IL-6 significantly promoted the proliferation and collagen production of cultured cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). High glucose treatment increased collagen production, which were mitigated in CFs from IL-6 KO mice. Moreover, IL-6 knockout alleviated the up-regulation of TGFβ1 in diabetic hearts of mice and cultured CFs treated with high glucose or IL-6. Furthermore, the expression of miR-29 reduced upon IL-6 treatment, while increased in IL-6 KO hearts. Overexpression of miR-29 blocked the pro-fibrotic effects of IL-6 on cultured CFs. In summary, deletion of IL-6 is able to mitigate myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function of diabetic mice. The mechanism involves the regulation of IL-6 on TGFβ1 and miR-29 pathway. This study indicates the therapeutic potential of IL-6 suppression on diabetic cardiomyopathy disease associated with fibrosis.

  7. Cannabidiol attenuates cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, inflammatory and cell death signaling pathways in diabetic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Rajesh, Mohanraj; Mukhopadhyay, Partha; Bátkai, Sándor; Patel, Vivek; Saito, Keita; Matsumoto, Shingo; Kashiwaya, Yoshihiro; Horváth, Béla; Mukhopadhyay, Bani; Becker, Lauren; Haskó, György; Liaudet, Lucas; Wink, David A; Veves, Aristidis; Mechoulam, Raphael; Pacher, Pál

    2010-01-01

    Objectives In this study, we have investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on myocardial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative/nitrosative stress, cell death and interrelated signaling pathways, using a mouse model of type I diabetic cardiomyopathy and primary human cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose. Background CBD, the most abundant nonpsychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) plant, exerts antiinflammatory effects in various disease models and alleviates pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis in humans. Methods Left ventricular function was measured by pressure-volume system. Oxidative stress, cell death and fibrosis markers were evaluated by molecular biology/biochemical techniques, electron spin resonance spectroscopy and flow cytometry. Results Diabetic cardiomyopathy was characterized by declined diastolic and systolic myocardial performance associated with increased oxidative-nitrosative stress, NF-κB and MAPK (JNK and p-38, p38α) activation, enhanced expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), TNF-α, markers of fibrosis (TGF-β, CTGF, fibronectin, collagen-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9), enhanced cell death (caspase 3/7 and PARP activity, chromatin fragmentation and TUNEL) and diminished Akt phosphorylation. Remarkably, CBD attenuated myocardial dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis, oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, cell death, and interrelated signaling pathways. Furthermore, CBD also attenuated the high glucose-induced increased reactive oxygen species generation, NF-κB activation and cell death in primary human cardiomyocytes. Conclusions Collectively, these results coupled with the excellent safety and tolerability profile of cannabidiol in humans, strongly suggest that it may have great therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic complications, and perhaps other cardiovascular disorders, by attenuating oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, cell death and fibrosis. PMID:21144973

  8. TRB3 gene silencing alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy in a type 2 diabetic rat model.

    PubMed

    Ti, Yun; Xie, Guo-lu; Wang, Zhi-hao; Bi, Xiao-lei; Ding, Wen-yuan; Wang, Jia; Jiang, Gui-Hua; Bu, Pei-Li; Zhang, Yun; Zhong, Ming; Zhang, Wei

    2011-11-01

    Tribbles 3 (TRB3) is associated with insulin resistance, an important trigger in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). We sought to determine whether TRB3 plays a major role in modulating DCM and the mechanisms involved. The type 2 diabetic rat model was induced by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin. We evaluated the characteristics of type 2 DCM by serial echocardiography and metabolite tests, Western blot analysis for TRB3 expression, and histopathologic analyses of cardiomyocyte density, lipids accumulation, cardiac inflammation, and fibrosis area. We then used gene silencing to investigate the role of TRB3 in the pathophysiologic features of DCM. Rats with DCM showed severe insulin resistance, left ventricular dysfunction, aberrant lipids deposition, cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and TRB3 overexpression. We found that the silencing of TRB3 ameliorated metabolic disturbance and insulin resistance; myocardial hypertrophy, lipids accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis, and elevated collagen I-to-III content ratio in DCM rats were significantly decreased. These anatomic findings were accompanied by significant improvements in cardiac function. Furthermore, with TRB3 gene silencing, the inhibited phosphorylation of Akt was restored and the increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase in DCM was significantly decreased. TRB3 gene silencing may exert a protective effect on DCM by improving selective insulin resistance, implicating its potential role for treatment of human DCM.

  9. Metallothionein Is Downstream of Nrf2 and Partially Mediates Sulforaphane Prevention of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Gu, Junlian; Cheng, Yanli; Wu, Hao; Kong, Lili; Wang, Shudong; Xu, Zheng; Zhang, Zhiguo; Tan, Yi; Keller, Bradley B; Zhou, Honglan; Wang, Yuehui; Xu, Zhonggao; Cai, Lu

    2017-02-01

    We have reported that sulforaphane (SFN) prevented diabetic cardiomyopathy in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) animal models via the upregulation of nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and metallothionein (MT). In this study, we tested whether SFN protects the heart from T2DM directly through Nrf2, MT, or both. Using Nrf2-knockout (KO), MT-KO, and wild-type (WT) mice, T2DM was induced by feeding a high-fat diet for 3 months followed by a small dose of streptozotocin. Age-matched controls were given a normal diet. Both T2DM and control mice were then treated with or without SFN for 4 months by continually feeding a high-fat or normal diet. SFN prevented diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction as well as diabetes-associated cardiac oxidative damage, inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, with increases in Nrf2 and MT expressions in the WT mice. Both Nrf2-KO and MT-KO diabetic mice exhibited greater cardiac damage than WT diabetic mice. SFN did not provide cardiac protection in Nrf2-KO mice, but partially or completely protected the heart from diabetes in MT-KO mice. SFN did not induce MT expression in Nrf2-KO mice, but stimulated Nrf2 function in MT-KO mice. These results suggest that Nrf2 plays the indispensable role for SFN cardiac protection from T2DM with significant induction of MT and other antioxidants. MT expression induced by SFN is Nrf2 dependent, but is not indispensable for SFN-induced cardiac protection from T2DM. © 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.

  10. Protection by dimethyl fumarate against diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 1 diabetic mice likely via activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2.

    PubMed

    Hu, Xinyue; Rajesh, Mohanraj; Zhang, Jian; Zhou, Shanshan; Wang, Shudong; Sun, Jian; Tan, Yi; Zheng, Yang; Cai, Lu

    2018-05-01

    Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an FDA approved medicine for relapsing multiple sclerosis, has manifested its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function mostly in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated whether DMF could attenuate the development of DCM. Type 1 diabetes mouse model was established using multiple low-dose streptozotocin, and the diabetic mice were treated with DMF (10 mg/kg body weight) for 3 months. Cardiac functions were determined using echocardiography. Oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-fibrotic markers were determined with commercially available kits, real-time quantitative PCR or western blot techniques. DCM was characterized by diminished cardiac function, accompanied by oxidative stress and enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Diabetic cardiac tissue exhibited marked fibrosis, revealed by extracellular matrix deposition as determined by Sirius red staining of the myocardial tissues. Furthermore, Nrf2 and its downstream effectors were repressed in diabetic myocardium. On the contrary, diabetic animals treated with DMF exhibited blunted oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis and this correlated with Nrf2 activation. Our findings suggest that DMF could potentially thwart diabetes-induced myocardial tissue injury, likely via activation of Nrf2 function, providing firm impetus for future repurposing of DMF in the management of DCM. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Different gene expression in human heart tissue and progenitor cells from control and diabetic subjects: relevance to the pathogenesis of human diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    de Cillis, Emanuela; Leonardini, Anna; Laviola, Luigi; Giorgino, Francesco; Tupputi Schinosa, Luigi de Luca; Bortone, Alessandro Santo

    2010-04-01

    The The aim of our study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy through the identification of remarkable genes for the myocardial function that are expressed differently between diabetic and normal subjects. Moreover, we intend to characterize both in human myocardial tissue and in the related cardiac progenitor cells the pattern of gene expression and the levels of expression and protein activation of molecular effectors involved in the regulation of the myocardial function and differentiation to clarify whether in specific human pathological conditions (type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiac failure, coronary artery disease) specific alterations of the aforementioned factors could take place. Thirty-five patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or for aortic or mitral valve replacement were recruited into the study. There were 13 men and 22 women with a mean age of 64.8 +/- 13.4 years. A list of anamnestic, anthropometric, clinical, and instrumental data required for an optimal phenotypical characterization of the patients is reported. The small cardiac biopsy specimens were placed in the nourishing buffer, in a sterile tube provided the day of the procedure, to maintain the stability of the sample for several hours at room temperature. The cells were isolated by a dedicated protocol and then cultured in vitro. The sample was processed for total RNA extraction and levels of gene expression and protein activation of molecular effectors involved in the regulation of function and differentiation of human myocardium was analyzed. In particular, cardiac genes that modulate the oxidative stress response or the stress induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines (p66Shc, SOCS-1, SOCS-3) were analyzed. From a small sample of myocardium cardiac stem cells and cardiomyoblasts were also isolated and characterized. These cells showed a considerable proliferative capacity due to the fact that they demonstrate stability up to the

  12. Therapeutic effect of MG-132 on diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with its suppression of proteasomal activities: roles of Nrf2 and NF-κB.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yuehui; Sun, Weixia; Du, Bing; Miao, Xiao; Bai, Yang; Xin, Ying; Tan, Yi; Cui, Wenpeng; Liu, Bin; Cui, Taixing; Epstein, Paul N; Fu, Yaowen; Cai, Lu

    2013-02-15

    MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, can upregulate nuclear factor (NF) erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidative function and downregulate NF-κB-mediated inflammation. The present study investigated whether through the above two mechanisms MG-132 could provide a therapeutic effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy in the OVE26 type 1 diabetic mouse model. OVE26 mice develop hyperglycemia at 2-3 wk after birth and exhibit albuminuria and cardiac dysfunction at 3 mo of age. Therefore, 3-mo-old OVE26 diabetic and age-matched control mice were intraperitoneally treated with MG-132 at 10 μg/kg daily for 3 mo. Before and after MG-132 treatment, cardiac function was measured by echocardiography, and cardiac tissues were then subjected to pathological and biochemical examination. Diabetic mice showed significant cardiac dysfunction, including increased left ventricular systolic diameter and wall thickness and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction with an increase of the heart weight-to-tibia length ratio. Diabetic hearts exhibited structural derangement and remodeling (fibrosis and hypertrophy). In diabetic mice, there was also increased systemic and cardiac oxidative damage and inflammation. All of these pathogenic changes were reversed by MG-132 treatment. MG-132 treatment significantly increased the cardiac expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes with a significant increase of total antioxidant capacity and also significantly decreased the expression of IκB and the nuclear accumulation and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB in the heart. These results suggest that MG-132 has a therapeutic effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy in OVE26 diabetic mice, possibly through the upregulation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidative function and downregulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation.

  13. Treadmill exercise alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by suppressing plasminogen activator inhibitor expression and enhancing eNOS in streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Chengji, Wang; Xianjin, Fan

    2018-04-01

    To investigate the biological mechanism of the effect of different intensity exercises on diabetic cardiomyopathy. 87 raise specific pathogen SPF healthy 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed 6 weeks with high-fat diet for rats were used, and a diabetic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin - randomly selected 43 rats were divided into Diabetic control group (DCG, n  = 10), Diabetic exercise group 1 (DEG1, n  = 11), Diabetic exercise group 2 (DEG2, n  = 11) and Diabetic exercise group 3 (DEG3, n  = 11). The rats in DEG1 were forced to run on a motorized treadmill, the exercise load consisted of running at a speed of 10 m/min, the exercise load of the rats in DEG2 were running at a speed of 15 m/min, the exercise load of the rats in DEG3 were running at a speed of 20 m/min, for one hour once a day for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of exercise intervention, glucose metabolism-related indexes in rats such as blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated serum protein (GSP) and insulin (FINS); cardiac fibrinolytic system parameters such as PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1), Von Willebrand factor (vWF), protein kinase C (PKC) and diacylglycerol (DAG); and serum level of NO, eNOS and T-NOS were measured. Compared with DCG, fasting blood glucose and GSP were decreased, while insulin sensitivity index and insulin level were increased in all rats of the three exercise groups. FBG decrease was statistically significant ( P  < 0.01), only GSP decrease was statistically significant ( P  < 0.05) in DEG1 and DEG2, PAI-1 in three exercise groups were significantly reduced ( P  < 0.05), plasma vWF levels in the three exercise groups were significantly lower than those in the DCG group ( P  < 0.01); PKC levels decreased dramatically in the three exercise groups and DAG levels decrease slightly ( P  < 0.05), but with no significant difference. Compared with DCG, the serum level of NO was significantly higher ( P

  14. Sulforaphane prevents the development of cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic mice probably by reversing oxidative stress-induced inhibition of LKB1/AMPK pathway.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhiguo; Wang, Shudong; Zhou, Shanshan; Yan, Xiaoqing; Wang, Yonggang; Chen, Jing; Mellen, Nicholas; Kong, Maiying; Gu, Junlian; Tan, Yi; Zheng, Yang; Cai, Lu

    2014-12-01

    Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced cardiomyopathy is associated with cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation, and remodeling. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate naturally presenting in widely consumed vegetables, particularly broccoli, plays an important role in cardiac protection from diabetes. We investigated the effect of SFN on T2DM-induced cardiac lipid accumulation and subsequent cardiomyopathy. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet for 3months to induce insulin resistance, followed by a treatment with 100mg/kg body-weight streptozotocin to induce hyperglycemia; we referred to it as the T2DM mouse model. Other age-matched mice were fed a normal diet as control. T2DM and control mice were treated with or without 4-month SFN at 0.5mg/kg daily five days a week. At the study's end, cardiac function was assessed. SFN treatment significantly attenuated cardiac remodeling and dysfunction induced by T2DM. SFN treatment also significantly inhibited cardiac lipid accumulation, measured by Oil Red O staining, and improved cardiac inflammation oxidative stress and fibrosis, shown by down-regulating diabetes-induced PAI-1, TNF-α, CTGF, TGF-β, 3-NT, and 4-HNE expression. Elevated 4-HNE resulted in the increase of 4-HNE-LKB1 adducts that should inhibit LKB1 and subsequent AMPK activity. SFN upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes, NQO1 and HO-1, decreased 4-HNE-LKB1 adducts and then reversed diabetes-induced inhibition of LKB1/AMPK and its downstream targets, including sirtuin 1, PGC-1α, phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, ULK1, and light chain-3 II. These results suggest that SFN treatment to T2DM mice may attenuate the cardiac oxidative stress-induced inhibition of LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway, thereby preventing T2DM-induced lipotoxicity and cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. [Diagnostic performance of surface electrocardiogram in early detection of chagasic cardiomyopathy].

    PubMed

    Bochard-Villanueva, Bruno; Estornell-Erill, Jordi; Fabregat-Andrés, Óscar; García-González, Pilar; Morell-Cabedo, Salvador; Ridocci-Soriano, Francisco

    2015-03-15

    Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) allows early detection of myocardial involvement by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic performance of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in the early detection of Chagas' cardiomyopathy (CCM) compared with CMR. We included 43 asymptomatic patients (30 women, 42 ± 9.8 years), diagnosed of Chagas disease. The sample was divided into 2 groups according to the presence (n=17) or absence (n=26) of electrocardiographic abnormalities. All patients underwent CMR and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was used as a marker of early myocardial involvement. Six (14%) patients had a LGE significantly higher in the group who had electrocardiographic abnormalities (29 vs. 4%, P<.05). With CMR as the method of reference, the ECG had a sensitivity of 83% and a negative predictive value of 96% to detect CCM. ECG is a useful, inexpensive and globally available tool for the screening of CCM in asymptomatic patients but with proven myocardial involvement in CMR. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  16. Early detection of myocardial dysfunction using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in a young cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Mochizuki, Yohei; Yoshimatsu, Hiroki; Niina, Ayaka; Teshima, Takahiro; Matsumoto, Hirotaka; Koyama, Hidekazu

    2018-01-01

    Case summary A 5-month-old intact female Scottish Fold cat was presented for cardiac evaluation. Careful auscultation detected a slight systolic murmur (Levine I/VI). The findings of electrocardiography, thoracic radiography, non-invasive blood pressure measurements and conventional echocardiographic studies were unremarkable. However, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography revealed abnormalities in myocardial deformations, including decreased early-to-late diastolic strain rate ratios in longitudinal, radial and circumferential directions, and deteriorated segmental systolic longitudinal strain. At the follow-up examinations, the cat exhibited echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using conventional echocardiography. Relevance and novel information This is the first report on the use of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for the early detection of myocardial dysfunction in a cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; the myocardial dysfunction was detected before the development of hypertrophy. The findings from this case suggest that two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can be useful for myocardial assessment when conventional echocardiographic and Doppler findings are ambiguous. PMID:29449957

  17. Sahlgrenska Cardiomyopathy Project

    ClinicalTrials.gov

    2018-05-15

    Dilated Cardiomyopathies; Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy; Restrictive Cardiomyopathy; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy; Myocarditis; Sarcoidosis With Myocarditis; Giant Cell Myocarditis; Amyloidosis; Heart (Manifestation)

  18. Cardiac dysfunction in the diabetic rat: quantitative evaluation using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

    PubMed

    Loganathan, Rajprasad; Bilgen, Mehmet; Al-Hafez, Baraa; Alenezy, Mohammed D; Smirnova, Irina V

    2006-04-04

    Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In particular, type 1 diabetes compromises the cardiac function of individuals at a relatively early age due to the protracted course of abnormal glucose homeostasis. The functional abnormalities of diabetic myocardium have been attributed to the pathological changes of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we used high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the left ventricular functional characteristics of streptozotocin treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks disease duration) in comparison with age/sex matched controls. Our analyses of EKG gated cardiac MRI scans of the left ventricle showed a 28% decrease in the end-diastolic volume and 10% increase in the end-systolic volume of diabetic hearts compared to controls. Mean stroke volume and ejection fraction in diabetic rats were decreased (48% and 28%, respectively) compared to controls. Further, dV/dt changes were suggestive of phase sensitive differences in left ventricular kinetics across the cardiac cycle between diabetic and control rats. Thus, the MRI analyses of diabetic left ventricle suggest impairment of diastolic and systolic hemodynamics in this rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our studies also show that in vivo MRI could be used in the evaluation of cardiac dysfunction in this rat model of type 1 diabetes.

  19. MR Imaging in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: From Magnet to Bedside.

    PubMed

    Bogaert, Jan; Olivotto, Iacopo

    2014-11-01

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ), the most common genetically transmitted cardiac disorder, has been the focus of extensive research over the past 50 years. HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a multifaceted disease with highly heterogeneous genetic background, phenotypic expression, clinical presentation, and long-term outcome. Though most patients have an indolent course with a life expectancy comparable to that of the general population, early diagnosis and accurate risk profiling are essential to identify the sizeable subset at increased risk of sudden cardiac death or disease progression and heart failure-related complications, requiring aggressive management options. Imaging has a central role in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, as well as screening of potentially affected family members. In this context, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has recently emerged as an ideal complement to transthoracic echocardiography. Its multiparametric approach, fusing spatial, contrast, and temporal resolution, provides the clinician with detailed characterization of the HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype and assessment of its functional consequences including causes and site of dynamic obstruction, presence and extent of myocardial perfusion abnormalities, and fibrosis. Moreover, MR is key in differentiating HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from "phenocopies"-that is, hearts with similar morphology but profoundly different etiology, such as amyloid or Anderson-Fabry disease. Long term, the incremental information provided by MR is relevant to planning of septal reduction therapies, identification of the early stages of end-stage progression, and stratification of arrhythmic risk. The aim of this review is to depict the increasingly important role of MR imaging in relation to the complexity of HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , highlighting its role in clinical decision making.

  20. Obstetrical outcomes in patients with early onset gestational diabetes.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Simi; Dolin, Cara; Jadhav, Ashwin; Chervenak, Judith; Timor-Tritsch, Ilan; Monteagudo, Ana

    2016-01-01

    The objective of this study was to characterize patients with early onset gestational diabetes and compare outcomes to patients diagnosed with standard gestational diabetes and pregestational diabetes. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with gestational or pregestational diabetes. All patients received a glucose challenge test at their first prenatal visit to diagnose early onset gestational diabetes and were recommended to have postpartum glucose tolerance tests to detect undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Outcomes were compared between patients with early onset gestational diabetes and both standard gestational diabetes and pregestational diabetes with p < 0.05 was used for significance. Four hundred and twenty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Nine percent of the patients with early onset gestational diabetes were found to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes based on postpartum testing and 91% to have resolution in the postpartum period. No patient with early onset gestational diabetes and resolution in the postpartum period had abnormal screening for renal or ophthalmologic disease, but 5% had abnormal fetal echocardiograms. These patients were more likely to require pharmacotherapy for glycemic control than patients with standard gestational diabetes and less likely than patients with pregestational diabetes (55% versus 39% versus 81%). Most patients diagnosed with early onset gestational diabetes do not have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes but do have unique characteristics and obstetrical outcomes.

  1. Acute myocardial infarction and stress cardiomyopathy following the Christchurch earthquakes.

    PubMed

    Chan, Christina; Elliott, John; Troughton, Richard; Frampton, Christopher; Smyth, David; Crozier, Ian; Bridgman, Paul

    2013-01-01

    Christchurch, New Zealand, was struck by 2 major earthquakes at 4:36 am on 4 September 2010, magnitude 7.1 and at 12:51 pm on 22 February 2011, magnitude 6.3. Both events caused widespread destruction. Christchurch Hospital was the region's only acute care hospital. It remained functional following both earthquakes. We were able to examine the effects of the 2 earthquakes on acute cardiac presentations. Patients admitted under Cardiology in Christchurch Hospital 3 week prior to and 5 weeks following both earthquakes were analysed, with corresponding control periods in September 2009 and February 2010. Patients were categorised based on diagnosis: ST elevation myocardial infarction, Non ST elevation myocardial infarction, stress cardiomyopathy, unstable angina, stable angina, non cardiac chest pain, arrhythmia and others. There was a significant increase in overall admissions (p<0.003), ST elevation myocardial infarction (p<0.016), and non cardiac chest pain (p<0.022) in the first 2 weeks following the early morning September earthquake. This pattern was not seen after the early afternoon February earthquake. Instead, there was a very large number of stress cardiomyopathy admissions with 21 cases (95% CI 2.6-6.4) in 4 days. There had been 6 stress cardiomyopathy cases after the first earthquake (95% CI 0.44-2.62). Statistical analysis showed this to be a significant difference between the earthquakes (p<0.05). The early morning September earthquake triggered a large increase in ST elevation myocardial infarction and a few stress cardiomyopathy cases. The early afternoon February earthquake caused significantly more stress cardiomyopathy. Two major earthquakes occurring at different times of day differed in their effect on acute cardiac events.

  2. The mitochondrial superoxide dismutase A16V polymorphism in the cardiomyopathy associated with hereditary haemochromatosis.

    PubMed

    Valenti, L; Conte, D; Piperno, A; Dongiovanni, P; Fracanzani, A L; Fraquelli, M; Vergani, A; Gianni, C; Carmagnola, L; Fargion, S

    2004-12-01

    The A16V mitochondrial targeting sequence polymorphism influences the antioxidant activity of MnSOD, an enzyme involved in neutralising iron induced oxidative stress. Patients with hereditary haemochromatosis develop parenchymal iron overload, which may lead to cirrhosis, diabetes, hypogonadism, and heart disease. The objective of this study was to determine in patients with haemochromatosis whether the presence of the Val MnSOD allele, associated with reduced enzymatic activity, affects tissue damage, and in particular heart disease, as MnSOD knockout mice develop lethal cardiomyopathy. We studied 217 consecutive unrelated probands with haemochromatosis, and 212 healthy controls. MnSOD polymorphism was evaluated by restriction analysis. The frequency distribution of the polymorphism did not differ between patients and controls. Patients carrying the Val allele had higher prevalence of cardiomyopathy (A/A 4%, A/V 11%, V/V 30%, p = 0.0006) but not of cirrhosis, diabetes, or hypogonadism, independently of age, sex, alcohol misuse, diabetes, and iron overload (odds ratio 10.1 for V/V, p = 0.006). The frequency of the Val allele was higher in patients with cardiomyopathy (0.67 v 0.45, p = 0.003). The association was significant in both C282Y+/+ (p = 0.02), and in non-C282Y+/+ patients (p = 0.003), and for both dilated (p = 0.01) and non-dilated stage (p = 0.04) cardiomyopathy, but not for ischaemic heart disease. In patients with hereditary haemochromatosis, the MnSOD genotype affects the risk of cardiomyopathy related to iron overload and possibly to other known and unknown risk factors and could represent an iron toxicity modifier gene.

  3. Moderate intensity exercise prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy associated contractile dysfunction through restoration of mitochondrial function and connexin 43 levels in db/db mice.

    PubMed

    Veeranki, Sudhakar; Givvimani, Srikanth; Kundu, Sourav; Metreveli, Naira; Pushpakumar, Sathnur; Tyagi, Suresh C

    2016-03-01

    Although the cardiovascular benefits of exercise are well known, exercise induced effects and mechanisms in prevention of cardiomyopathy are less clear during obesity associated type-2 diabetes. The current study assessed the impact of moderate intensity exercise on diabetic cardiomyopathy by examining cardiac function and structure and mitochondrial function. Obese-diabetic (db/db), and lean control (db/+) mice, were subjected to a 5 week, 300 m run on a tread-mill for 5 days/week at the speeds of 10-11 m/min. Various physiological parameters were recorded and the heart function was evaluated with M-mode echocardiography. Contraction parameters and calcium transits were examined on isolated cardiomyocytes. At the molecular level: connexin 43 and 37 (Cx43 and 37) levels, mitochondrial biogenesis regulators: Mfn2 and Drp-1 levels, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and cytochrome c leakage were assessed through western blotting immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Ability of exercise to reverse oxygen consumption rate (OCR), tissue ATP levels, and cardiac fibrosis were also determined. The exercise regimen was able to prevent diabetic cardiac functional deficiencies: ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). Improvements in contraction velocity and contraction maximum were noted with the isolated cardiomyocytes. Restoration of interstitial and micro-vessels associated Cx43 levels and improved gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) were observed. The decline in the Mfn2/Drp-1 ratio in the db/db mice hearts was prevented after exercise. The exercise regimen further attenuated transmembrane potential decline and cytochrome c leakage. These corrections further led to improvements in OCR and tissue ATP levels and reduction in cardiac fibrosis. Moderate intensity exercise produced significant cardiovascular benefits by improving mitochondrial function through restoration of Cx43 networks and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and

  4. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with thyrotoxicosis: a case report and review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Eliades, Myrto; El-Maouche, Diala; Choudhary, Chitra; Zinsmeister, Bruce; Burman, Kenneth D

    2014-02-01

    Takotsubo or stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a form of reversible cardiomyopathy commonly associated with emotional or physical stress. Thyrotoxicosis has been identified as a rare cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, with only 12 cases reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of thyroid storm presenting with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of Graves' disease. A 71-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion, and history of weight loss. She was initially diagnosed and treated for diabetic ketoacidosis at another hospital and was transferred to our hospital one day after initial presentation because of concern for acute coronary syndrome. A diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was made on the basis of cardiac catheterization. At that time, she was diagnosed and treated for thyroid storm. Follow-up 7 weeks later revealed improvement of her cardiac function and near-normalization of thyroid hormone levels. In this patient, who presented with symptoms of heart failure, acute coronary syndrome was initially considered, but the diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with thyroid storm was ultimately made based on cardiac catheterization and laboratory investigation. Thyrotoxicosis is associated with adverse disturbances in the cardiovascular system. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy could be a presenting manifestation of thyroid storm, perhaps related to excess catecholamine levels or sensitivity.

  5. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated with Thyrotoxicosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

    PubMed Central

    El-Maouche, Diala; Choudhary, Chitra; Zinsmeister, Bruce; Burman, Kenneth D.

    2014-01-01

    Background: Takotsubo or stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a form of reversible cardiomyopathy commonly associated with emotional or physical stress. Thyrotoxicosis has been identified as a rare cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, with only 12 cases reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of thyroid storm presenting with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of Graves' disease. Patient Findings: A 71-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion, and history of weight loss. She was initially diagnosed and treated for diabetic ketoacidosis at another hospital and was transferred to our hospital one day after initial presentation because of concern for acute coronary syndrome. A diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was made on the basis of cardiac catheterization. At that time, she was diagnosed and treated for thyroid storm. Follow-up 7 weeks later revealed improvement of her cardiac function and near-normalization of thyroid hormone levels. Summary: In this patient, who presented with symptoms of heart failure, acute coronary syndrome was initially considered, but the diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with thyroid storm was ultimately made based on cardiac catheterization and laboratory investigation. Conclusions: Thyrotoxicosis is associated with adverse disturbances in the cardiovascular system. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy could be a presenting manifestation of thyroid storm, perhaps related to excess catecholamine levels or sensitivity. PMID:23560557

  6. Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stress Cardiomyopathy following the Christchurch Earthquakes

    PubMed Central

    Chan, Christina; Elliott, John; Troughton, Richard; Frampton, Christopher; Smyth, David; Crozier, Ian; Bridgman, Paul

    2013-01-01

    Background Christchurch, New Zealand, was struck by 2 major earthquakes at 4:36am on 4 September 2010, magnitude 7.1 and at 12:51pm on 22 February 2011, magnitude 6.3. Both events caused widespread destruction. Christchurch Hospital was the region's only acute care hospital. It remained functional following both earthquakes. We were able to examine the effects of the 2 earthquakes on acute cardiac presentations. Methods Patients admitted under Cardiology in Christchurch Hospital 3 week prior to and 5 weeks following both earthquakes were analysed, with corresponding control periods in September 2009 and February 2010. Patients were categorised based on diagnosis: ST elevation myocardial infarction, Non ST elevation myocardial infarction, stress cardiomyopathy, unstable angina, stable angina, non cardiac chest pain, arrhythmia and others. Results There was a significant increase in overall admissions (p<0.003), ST elevation myocardial infarction (p<0.016), and non cardiac chest pain (p<0.022) in the first 2 weeks following the early morning September earthquake. This pattern was not seen after the early afternoon February earthquake. Instead, there was a very large number of stress cardiomyopathy admissions with 21 cases (95% CI 2.6–6.4) in 4 days. There had been 6 stress cardiomyopathy cases after the first earthquake (95% CI 0.44–2.62). Statistical analysis showed this to be a significant difference between the earthquakes (p<0.05). Conclusion The early morning September earthquake triggered a large increase in ST elevation myocardial infarction and a few stress cardiomyopathy cases. The early afternoon February earthquake caused significantly more stress cardiomyopathy. Two major earthquakes occurring at different times of day differed in their effect on acute cardiac events. PMID:23844213

  7. Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Genetic Determinants and Mechanisms.

    PubMed

    McNally, Elizabeth M; Mestroni, Luisa

    2017-09-15

    Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) often has a genetic pathogenesis. Because of the large number of genes and alleles attributed to DCM, comprehensive genetic testing encompasses ever-increasing gene panels. Genetic diagnosis can help predict prognosis, especially with regard to arrhythmia risk for certain subtypes. Moreover, cascade genetic testing in family members can identify those who are at risk or with early stage disease, offering the opportunity for early intervention. This review will address diagnosis and management of DCM, including the role of genetic evaluation. We will also overview distinct genetic pathways linked to DCM and their pathogenetic mechanisms. Historically, cardiac morphology has been used to classify cardiomyopathy subtypes. Determining genetic variants is emerging as an additional adjunct to help further refine subtypes of DCM, especially where arrhythmia risk is increased, and ultimately contribute to clinical management. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  8. BAG3 myofibrillar myopathy presenting with cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Konersman, Chamindra G; Bordini, Brett J; Scharer, Gunter; Lawlor, Michael W; Zangwill, Steven; Southern, James F; Amos, Louella; Geddes, Gabrielle C; Kliegman, Robert; Collins, Michael P

    2015-05-01

    Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are a heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders distinguished by the pathological hallmark of myofibrillar dissolution. Most patients present in adulthood, but mutations in several genes including BCL2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) cause predominantly childhood-onset disease. BAG3-related MFM is particularly severe, featuring weakness, cardiomyopathy, neuropathy, and early lethality. While prior cases reported either neuromuscular weakness or concurrent weakness and cardiomyopathy at onset, we describe the first case in which cardiomyopathy and cardiac transplantation (age eight) preceded neuromuscular weakness by several years (age 12). The phenotype comprised distal weakness and severe sensorimotor neuropathy. Nerve biopsy was primarily axonal with secondary demyelinating/remyelinating changes without "giant axons." Muscle biopsy showed extensive neuropathic changes that made myopathic changes difficult to interpret. Similar to previous cases, a p.Pro209Leu mutation in exon 3 of BAG3 was found. This case underlines the importance of evaluating for MFMs in patients with combined neuromuscular weakness and cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Early reduced myocardial diastolic function in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus a population-based study.

    PubMed

    Brunvand, Leif; Fugelseth, Drude; Stensaeth, Knut Håkon; Dahl-Jørgensen, Knut; Margeirsdottir, Hanna Dis

    2016-05-25

    Reduced diastolic myocardial function is an early sign of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), but without other known complications, have early reduced diastolic myocardial function diagnosed with echocardiographic color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI). cTDI examination was carried out in 173 T1D patients and 62 age-matched controls. The T1D-patients were 8-18 years old with (mean (SD)) diabetes duration of 5.6 (3.4) years and HbA1c of 8.4 (1.3). All were treated with either insulin pumps or 4-6 daily insulin injections. cTDI early (E') and late (A') peak diastolic velocities and systolic peak velocity were measured from the lateral, septal, anterior and posterior mitral annulus and from the lateral tricuspidal annulus. Myocardial diastolic function was reduced in the T1D-patients with higher peak A'-velocity and lower E'/A'-ratio in all registrations. Overall mean (SD) mitral E'/A'-ratio was 2.3 (0.5) in T1D and 2.7 (0.6) in the controls (p < 0001). The overall mitral E'/A'-ratio was negative associated with blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI). Stratifying all participants into three groups according to BMI (<25, 25-75, >75 centile, respectively), the T1D had lower E'/A'-values in all stratified groups, except for in the highest BMI-group where both T1D and controls had the lowest E'/A'-ratio. Systolic function did not differ in any of the measurements. There were no associations with sex, diabetes duration, carotid artery intima-media-thickness, vessel elasticity or HbA1c. Diabetic children and adolescents using modern intensive insulin treatment had echocardiographic signs of reduced diastolic myocardial function despite short duration of disease. The reduced function was associated with higher BP and higher BMI.

  10. The association of methamphetamine use and cardiomyopathy in young patients.

    PubMed

    Yeo, Khung-Keong; Wijetunga, Mevan; Ito, Hiroki; Efird, Jimmy T; Tay, Kevin; Seto, Todd B; Alimineti, Kavitha; Kimata, Chieko; Schatz, Irwin J

    2007-02-01

    Methamphetamine is the most widespread illegally used stimulant in the United States. Previously published case reports and series suggest a potential association between methamphetamine exposure and cardiomyopathy. The objective of this study is to demonstrate an association between methamphetamine use and cardiomyopathy. Case-control study based on chart review of discharges from a tertiary care medical center from January 2001 to June 2004. Patients were < or =45 years old. Cases included patients with a discharge diagnosis of either cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Controls included hospitalized patients who had an echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function with ejection fraction > or =55% and no wall motion abnormalities. One hundred and seven cases and 114 controls were identified. Both groups had similar gender distribution, length of hospital stay, rates of health insurance, prevalence of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, and marijuana and cocaine use. Cases were older than controls (mean age: 38 vs 35 years; P=.008), had higher body mass index (BMI) (mean BMI: 37 vs 30 kg/m2; P<.001), and higher prevalence of renal failure (13% vs 4.4%; P=.03). Methamphetamine users had a 3.7-fold increased odds ratio [95% confidence interval, 1.8-7.8] for cardiomyopathy, adjusting for age, body mass index, and renal failure. Methamphetamine use was associated with cardiomyopathy in young patients.

  11. Enhanced Skeletal Muscle Expression of EcSOD Mitigates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Aberrant Cell Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Call, Jarrod A.; Chain, Kristopher H.; Martin, Kyle S.; Lira, Vitor A.; Okutsu, Mitsuharu; Zhang, Mei; Yan, Zhen

    2015-01-01

    Background Exercise training enhances extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) expression in skeletal muscle and elicits positive health outcomes in individuals with diabetes. The goal of this study was to determine if enhanced skeletal muscle expression of EcSOD is sufficient to mitigate streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods and Results Exercise training promotes EcSOD expression in skeletal muscle and provides protection against DCM; however, it is not known if enhanced EcSOD expression in skeletal muscle plays a functional role in this protection. Here, we show that skeletal muscle-specific EcSOD transgenic mice (TG) are protected from cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction under the condition of type-1 diabetes induced by STZ injection. We also show that both exercise training and muscle-specific transgenic expression of EcSOD result in elevated EcSOD protein in the blood and heart without increased transcription in the heart, suggesting enhanced expression of EcSOD from skeletal muscle redistributes to the heart. Importantly, cardiac tissue in TG mice displayed significantly reduced oxidative stress, aberrant cell signaling and inflammatory cytokine expression compared with wild type mice under the same diabetic condition. Conclusions Enhanced expression of EcSOD in skeletal muscle is sufficient to mitigate STZ-induced DCM through attenuation of oxidative stress, aberrant cell signaling and inflammation, suggesting a cross-organ mechanism by which exercise training improves cardiac function in diabetes. PMID:25504759

  12. Clinical Presentation and Natural History of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in RASopathies.

    PubMed

    Calcagni, Giulio; Adorisio, Rachele; Martinelli, Simone; Grutter, Giorgia; Baban, Anwar; Versacci, Paolo; Digilio, Maria Cristina; Drago, Fabrizio; Gelb, Bruce D; Tartaglia, Marco; Marino, Bruno

    2018-04-01

    RASopathies are a heterogeneous group of genetic syndromes characterized by mutations in genes that regulate cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, and metabolism. Excluding congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most frequent cardiovascular defect in patients affected by RASopathies. A worse outcome (in terms of surgical risk and/or mortality) has been described in a specific subset of Rasopathy patients with early onset, severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presenting with heart failure. New short-term therapy with a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor has recently been used to prevent heart failure in these patients with a severe form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Urine Metabonomics Reveals Early Biomarkers in Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Song, Lili; Zhuang, Pengwei; Lin, Mengya; Kang, Mingqin; Liu, Hongyue; Zhang, Yuping; Yang, Zhen; Chen, Yunlong; Zhang, Yanjun

    2017-09-01

    Recently, increasing attention has been paid to diabetic encephalopathy, which is a frequent diabetic complication and affects nearly 30% of diabetics. Because cognitive dysfunction from diabetic encephalopathy might develop into irreversible dementia, early diagnosis and detection of this disease is of great significance for its prevention and treatment. This study is to investigate the early specific metabolites biomarkers in urine prior to the onset of diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) by using metabolomics technology. An ultra-high performance liquid-chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) platform was used to analyze the urine samples from diabetic mice that were associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and nonassociated with MCI in the stage of diabetes (prior to the onset of DCD). We then screened and validated the early biomarkers using OPLS-DA model and support vector machine (SVM) method. Following multivariate statistical and integration analysis, we found that seven metabolites could be accepted as early biomarkers of DCD, and the SVM results showed that the prediction accuracy is as high as 91.66%. The identities of four biomarkers were determined by mass spectrometry. The identified biomarkers were largely involved in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, glutathione metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. The present study first revealed reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis of DCD. It provides new insight and strategy for the early diagnosis and treatment of DCD.

  14. Cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy are ameliorated by alpha-lipoic acid.

    PubMed

    Li, Chun-jun; Lv, Lin; Li, Hui; Yu, De-min

    2012-06-19

    Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring compound, exerts powerful protective effects in various cardiovascular disease models. However, its role in protecting against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been elucidated. In this study, we have investigated the effects of ALA on cardiac dysfunction, mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS), extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and interrelated signaling pathways in a diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced in rats by I.V. injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 45 mg/kg. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal groups with or without ALA treatment, and diabetes groups with or without ALA treatment. All studies were carried out 11 weeks after induction of diabetes. Cardiac catheterization was performed to evaluate cardiac function. Mitochondrial oxidative biochemical parameters were measured by spectophotometeric assays. Extracellular matrix content (total collagen, type I and III collagen) was assessed by staining with Sirius Red. Gelatinolytic activity of Pro- and active matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels were analyzed by a zymogram. Cardiac fibroblasts differentiation to myofibroblasts was evaluated by Western blot measuring smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Key components of underlying signaling pathways including the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK and ERK were also assayed by Western blot. DCM was successfully induced by the injection of STZ as evidenced by abnormal heart mass and cardiac function, as well as the imbalance of ECM homeostasis. After administration of ALA, left ventricular dysfunction greatly improved; interstitial fibrosis also notably ameliorated indicated by decreased collagen deposition, ECM synthesis as well as enhanced ECM degradation. To further assess the underlying mechanism of improved DCM by ALA, redox status and cardiac remodeling associated signaling pathway components were evaluated. It was

  15. Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in primary care.

    PubMed

    Jimenez-Baez, Maria Valeria; Marquez-Gonzalez, Horacio; Barcenas-Contreras, Rodolfo; Morales Montoya, Carlos; Espinosa-Garcia, Laura Fatima

    2015-01-01

    To evaluate the impact of a strategy for early detection of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) in Quintana Roo, México. Study transversal, observational, prospective, analytical, eight primary care units from Mexican Social Security Institute in the northern delegation of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico were included. A program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adult 376,169 was designed. Were diagnosed 683 cases of type 2 diabetes, in 105 patients randomized was conducted to direct ophthalmoscopy were subjected to a secondary hospital were assigned. Will determine the degree of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema was performed. In population were 55.2% female, mean age 48+11.1 years, 23.8 % had some degree of DR, 28.0% with mild non- proliferative diabetic retinopathy 48.0 % moderate 16.0% and severe and 8.0% showed proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Those over age 30 are 2.8 times more risk of developing DR, OR= 2.8; 95%CI: 0.42-18.0, and OR= 1.7; 95%CI: 1.02-2.95 women. The implementation of programs aimed at the early detection of debilitating conditions such as diabetic retinopathy health impact beneficiaries, effective links between primary care systems and provide second level positive health outcomes for patient diseases.

  16. SIRT1 Activation by Resveratrol Alleviates Cardiac Dysfunction via Mitochondrial Regulation in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mice.

    PubMed

    Ma, Sai; Feng, Jing; Zhang, Ran; Chen, Jiangwei; Han, Dong; Li, Xiang; Yang, Bo; Li, Xiujuan; Fan, Miaomiao; Li, Congye; Tian, Zuhong; Wang, Yabin; Cao, Feng

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major threat for diabetic patients. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) has a regulatory effect on mitochondrial dynamics, which is associated with DCM pathological changes. Our study aims to investigate whether resveratrol, a SRIT1 activator, could exert a protective effect against DCM. Cardiac-specific SIRT1 knockout (SIRT1 KO ) mice were generated using Cre-loxP system. SIRT1 KO mice displayed symptoms of DCM, including cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction, insulin resistance, and abnormal glucose metabolism. DCM and SIRT1 KO hearts showed impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and function, while SIRT1 activation by resveratrol reversed this in DCM mice. High glucose caused increased apoptosis, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and function in cardiomyocytes, which was alleviated by resveratrol. SIRT1 deletion by both SIRT1 KO and shRNA abolished the beneficial effects of resveratrol. Furthermore, the function of SIRT1 is mediated via the deacetylation effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), thus inducing increased expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), NRF-2, estrogen-related receptor-α (ERR-α), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Cardiac deletion of SIRT1 caused phenotypes resembling DCM. Activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol ameliorated cardiac injuries in DCM through PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial regulation. Collectively, SIRT1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DCM.

  17. Chemotherapy induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Goel, Sunny; Sharma, Abhishek; Garg, Aakash; Chandra, Abhinav; Shetty, Vijay

    2014-01-01

    Chemotherapy has been linked with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Most of the literature on chemotherapy associated Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is on the drug 5-fluorouracil. In this report, we describe the case of a 55-year-old Asian male who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy while receiving dual chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin for acute myeloid leukemia. To our knowledge, it is the first case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with daunorubicin and/or cytarabine. PMID:25325068

  18. Chemotherapy induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Goel, Sunny; Sharma, Abhishek; Garg, Aakash; Chandra, Abhinav; Shetty, Vijay

    2014-10-16

    Chemotherapy has been linked with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Most of the literature on chemotherapy associated Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is on the drug 5-fluorouracil. In this report, we describe the case of a 55-year-old Asian male who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy while receiving dual chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin for acute myeloid leukemia. To our knowledge, it is the first case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with daunorubicin and/or cytarabine.

  19. Genetic advances in sarcomeric cardiomyopathies: state of the art

    PubMed Central

    Ho, Carolyn Y.; Charron, Philippe; Richard, Pascale; Girolami, Francesca; Van Spaendonck-Zwarts, Karin Y.; Pinto, Yigal

    2015-01-01

    Genetic studies in the 1980s and 1990s led to landmark discoveries that sarcomere mutations cause both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Sarcomere mutations also likely play a role in more complex phenotypes and overlap cardiomyopathies with features of hypertrophy, dilation, diastolic abnormalities, and non-compaction. Identification of the genetic cause of these important conditions provides unique opportunities to interrogate and characterize disease pathogenesis and pathophysiology, starting from the molecular level and expanding from there. With such insights, there is potential for clinical translation that may transform management of patients and families with inherited cardiomyopathies. If key pathways for disease development can be identified, they could potentially serve as targets for novel disease-modifying or disease-preventing therapies. By utilizing gene-based diagnostic testing, we can identify at-risk individuals prior to the onset of clinical disease, allowing for disease-modifying therapy to be initiated early in life, at a time that such treatment may be most successful. In this section, we review the current application of genetics in clinical management, focusing on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a paradigm; discuss state-of-the-art genetic testing technology; review emerging knowledge of gene expression in sarcomeric cardiomyopathies; and discuss both the prospects, as well as the challenges, of bringing genetics to medicine. PMID:25634555

  20. Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in primary care

    PubMed Central

    Jimenez-Baez, Maria Valeria; Barcenas-Contreras, Rodolfo; Morales Montoya, Carlos; Espinosa-Garcia, Laura Fatima

    2015-01-01

    Objective: To evaluate the impact of a strategy for early detection of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) in Quintana Roo, México. Methods: Study transversal, observational, prospective, analytical, eight primary care units from Mexican Social Security Institute in the northern delegation of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico were included. A program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adult 376,169 was designed. Were diagnosed 683 cases of type 2 diabetes, in 105 patients randomized was conducted to direct ophthalmoscopy were subjected to a secondary hospital were assigned. Will determine the degree of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema was performed. Results: In population were 55.2% female, mean age 48+11.1 years, 23.8 % had some degree of DR, 28.0% with mild non- proliferative diabetic retinopathy 48.0 % moderate 16.0% and severe and 8.0% showed proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Those over age 30 are 2.8 times more risk of developing DR, OR= 2.8; 95%CI: 0.42-18.0, and OR= 1.7; 95%CI: 1.02-2.95 women. Conclusions: The implementation of programs aimed at the early detection of debilitating conditions such as diabetic retinopathy health impact beneficiaries, effective links between primary care systems and provide second level positive health outcomes for patient diseases. PMID:26019380

  1. Postoperative Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by intraoperative fluid overload and acute hypertensive crisis.

    PubMed

    Varutti, Rosanna; Setti, Tommaso; Ezri, Tiberiu; Nicolosi, Gianluigi; Rellini, Gianluigi; Cassin, Matteo; Leykin, Yigal

    2015-04-01

    The Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare haemodynamic dysfunction, only recently reported perioperatively. While the diagnostic criteria have been established and the outcome is known as favorable, the pathophysiological mechanisms are not entirely understood. Here we present the case of a patient scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy and adnexectomy, who early postoperatively developed a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy supposedly triggered by an acute hypertensive crisis due to intraoperative fluid overload.

  2. Characterization of alterations in diabetic myocardial tissue using high resolution MRI.

    PubMed

    Loganathan, Rajaprasad; Bilgen, Mehmet; Al-Hafez, Baraa; Smirnova, Irina V

    2006-02-01

    Cardiovascular complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, are the major cause of fatalities in diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is expressed in part through fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy, increasing myocardial stiffness leading to heart failure. In order to search for curative interventions, precise evaluation of the diabetic heart pathology is extremely important. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideally suited for the assessment of heart disorders due to its high resolution, three-dimensional properties and dimensional accuracy. In this study streptozotocin injected Sprague-Dawley rats were used as a model of type 1 diabetes to characterize abnormalities in the diabetic left ventricle (LV). High resolution MRI using a 9.4 T horizontal bore scanner was performed on control and 7 weeks diabetic rats. In the diabetic rats as compared to controls, we found increased LV wall volume to body weight ratio, suggestive of LV hypertrophy; increased LV wall mean pixel intensity, and decreased T2 relaxation time, both suggestive of changes in the diabetic tissue properties, perhaps due to presence of fibrosis which was detected through increase in the collagen fractional area. In addition, changes in the LV cavity area were observed and quantified in post-mortem diabetic hearts indicative of stiffer and less resilient LV myocardial tissue with diabetes. Together the data suggest that LV hypertrophy and fibrosis may be a major factor underlying structural and functional abnormalities in the diabetic heart, and MRI is a valuable tool to non-invasively monitor the pathological changes in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

  3. Postoperative Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by intraoperative fluid overload and acute hypertensive crisis

    PubMed Central

    Varutti, Rosanna; Setti, Tommaso; Ezri, Tiberiu; Nicolosi, Gianluigi; Rellini, Gianluigi; Cassin, Matteo; Leykin, Yigal

    2015-01-01

    The Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare haemodynamic dysfunction, only recently reported perioperatively. While the diagnostic criteria have been established and the outcome is known as favorable, the pathophysiological mechanisms are not entirely understood. Here we present the case of a patient scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy and adnexectomy, who early postoperatively developed a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy supposedly triggered by an acute hypertensive crisis due to intraoperative fluid overload. PMID:28913455

  4. SIRT1 Activation by Resveratrol Alleviates Cardiac Dysfunction via Mitochondrial Regulation in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mice

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Ran; Chen, Jiangwei; Li, Xiang; Yang, Bo; Li, Xiujuan; Fan, Miaomiao; Li, Congye; Tian, Zuhong

    2017-01-01

    Background Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major threat for diabetic patients. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) has a regulatory effect on mitochondrial dynamics, which is associated with DCM pathological changes. Our study aims to investigate whether resveratrol, a SRIT1 activator, could exert a protective effect against DCM. Methods and Results Cardiac-specific SIRT1 knockout (SIRT1KO) mice were generated using Cre-loxP system. SIRT1KO mice displayed symptoms of DCM, including cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction, insulin resistance, and abnormal glucose metabolism. DCM and SIRT1KO hearts showed impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and function, while SIRT1 activation by resveratrol reversed this in DCM mice. High glucose caused increased apoptosis, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and function in cardiomyocytes, which was alleviated by resveratrol. SIRT1 deletion by both SIRT1KO and shRNA abolished the beneficial effects of resveratrol. Furthermore, the function of SIRT1 is mediated via the deacetylation effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), thus inducing increased expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), NRF-2, estrogen-related receptor-α (ERR-α), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Conclusions Cardiac deletion of SIRT1 caused phenotypes resembling DCM. Activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol ameliorated cardiac injuries in DCM through PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial regulation. Collectively, SIRT1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DCM. PMID:28883902

  5. Genetic advances in sarcomeric cardiomyopathies: state of the art.

    PubMed

    Ho, Carolyn Y; Charron, Philippe; Richard, Pascale; Girolami, Francesca; Van Spaendonck-Zwarts, Karin Y; Pinto, Yigal

    2015-04-01

    Genetic studies in the 1980s and 1990s led to landmark discoveries that sarcomere mutations cause both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Sarcomere mutations also likely play a role in more complex phenotypes and overlap cardiomyopathies with features of hypertrophy, dilation, diastolic abnormalities, and non-compaction. Identification of the genetic cause of these important conditions provides unique opportunities to interrogate and characterize disease pathogenesis and pathophysiology, starting from the molecular level and expanding from there. With such insights, there is potential for clinical translation that may transform management of patients and families with inherited cardiomyopathies. If key pathways for disease development can be identified, they could potentially serve as targets for novel disease-modifying or disease-preventing therapies. By utilizing gene-based diagnostic testing, we can identify at-risk individuals prior to the onset of clinical disease, allowing for disease-modifying therapy to be initiated early in life, at a time that such treatment may be most successful. In this section, we review the current application of genetics in clinical management, focusing on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a paradigm; discuss state-of-the-art genetic testing technology; review emerging knowledge of gene expression in sarcomeric cardiomyopathies; and discuss both the prospects, as well as the challenges, of bringing genetics to medicine. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

  6. Macular micropseudocysts in early stages of diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Tremolada, Gemma; Pierro, Luisa; de Benedetto, Umberto; Margari, Sergio; Gagliardi, Marco; Maestranzi, Gisella; Calori, Giliola; Lorenzi, Mara; Lattanzio, Rosangela

    2011-01-01

    To identify by noninvasive means early retinal abnormalities that may predict diabetic macular edema. The authors analyzed retrospectively data from consecutive patients with Type 1 (n = 16) or Type 2 (n = 23) diabetes who presented for routine follow-up of early retinopathy, had no clinical signs or symptoms of diabetic macular edema, and were evaluated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Age- and gender-matched nondiabetic subjects provided normative data. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed in the macular region of diabetic patients small hyporeflective areas (median diameter, 55 μm) contained within discrete retinal layers that we named micropseudocysts (MPCs). Micropseudocysts are associated with vascular leakage. The patients showing MPCs had more frequently systemic hypertension and increased central foveal thickness than those without MPCs. The association with increased central foveal thickness was only in the patients with Type 2 diabetes. Macular MPCs in patients with mild diabetic retinopathy appear to reflect leakage and can precede macular thickening. The association of MPCs with increased central foveal thickness in patients with Type 2 diabetes, but not in patients with Type 1 diabetes, points to a greater tendency to retinal fluid accumulation in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Studies in larger cohorts will determine the usefulness of MPCs in strategies to abort diabetic macular edema.

  7. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Tiyyagura, Satish; Fuster, Valentin

    2008-01-01

    Background Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a novel, yet well-described, reversible cardiomyopathy triggered by profound psychological or physical stress with a female predominance. Objective This review is designed to increase general clinician awareness about the diagnosis, incidence, pathogenesis, and therapies of this entity. Data Sources A complete search of multiple electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) was carried out to identify all full-text, English-language articles published from 1980 to the present date and relevant to this review. Review Methods The following search terms were used: takotsubo cardiomyopathy, stress-induced cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome. Citation lists from identified articles were subsequently reviewed and pertinent articles were further identified. Results Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is typically characterized by the following: 1) acute onset of ischemic-like chest pain or dyspnea, 2) transient apical and mid-ventricular regional wall-motion abnormality, 3) minor elevation of cardiac biomarkers, 4) dynamic electrocardiographic changes, and 5) the absence of epicardial coronary artery disease. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is unknown but has mostly been associated with acute emotional or physiologic stressors. Dote, Sato, Tateishi, Uchida, Ishihara (J Cardiol. 21(2):203–214, 1991); Desmet, Adriaenssens, Dens (Heart. 89(9):1027–1031, Sep., 2003); Bybee, Kara, Prasad, et al. (Ann Intern Med. 141(11):858–865, Dec 7, 2004); Sharkey, Lesser, Zenovich, et al. (Circulation. 111(4):472–479, Feb 1, 2005) The short and long-term prognosis of these patients is overwhelmingly favorable and often only requires supportive therapy. Conclusion Whether an emotional or physical event precedes one’s symptoms, it is apparent that takotsubo cardiomyopathy case presentations mimic ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and thus is an important entity to be recognized by the medical

  8. Early visual cortical structural changes in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Fábio S; Pereira, João M S; Reis, Aldina; Sanches, Mafalda; Duarte, João V; Gomes, Leonor; Moreno, Carolina; Castelo-Branco, Miguel

    2017-11-01

    It is known that diabetic patients have changes in cortical morphometry as compared to controls, but it remains to be clarified whether the visual cortex is a disease target, even when diabetes complications such as retinopathy are absent. Therefore, we compared type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy with control subjects using magnetic resonance imaging to assess visual cortical changes when retinal damage is not yet present. We performed T1-weighted imaging in 24 type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy and 27 age- and gender-matched controls to compare gray matter changes in the occipital cortex between groups using voxel based morphometry. Patients without diabetic retinopathy showed reduced gray matter volume in the occipital lobe when compared with controls. Reduced gray matter volume in the occipital cortex was found in diabetic patients without retinal damage. We conclude that cortical early visual processing regions may be affected in diabetic patients even before retinal damage occurs.

  9. The protective effect of thalidomide on left ventricular function in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dae-Hee; Kim, Yong-Jin; Chang, Sung-A; Lee, Hye-Won; Kim, Ha-Na; Kim, Hyung-Kwan; Chang, Hyuk-Jae; Sohn, Dae-Won; Park, Young-Bae

    2010-10-01

    To evaluate the protective effect of thalidomide, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, on the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCMP). We induced type 1 diabetes using streptozocin in 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats, divided them into two groups-a thalidomide treatment group (DM-T, n = 15) and a non-treatment group (DM-N, n = 15)-and compared them with a normal control (n = 10). Ten weeks after diabetes induction, heart and lung mass indices were higher in the DM-N group compared with the control group. In the DM-T group, increases in heart and lung mass indices were attenuated compared with the DM-N group. On echocardiographic examination, systolic and diastolic mitral annulus velocities were impaired in the DM-N group, but they remained normal in the DM-T group. On haemodynamic analyses, left ventricular (LV) systolic function, represented by end-systolic elastance (0.35 ± 0.14 vs. 0.18 ± 0.07 mmHg/μl, P < 0.001) and preload-recruitable stroke work (90.5 ± 24.3 vs. 51.8 ± 22.0 mmHg, P < 0.001), was preserved in the DM-T group compared with the DM-N group. Likewise, deterioration of LV diastolic function was attenuated in the DM-T group. Increases in serum levels of TNF-α were attenuated in the DM-T group compared with the DM-N group. On histological analysis, thalidomide treatment lowered total myocardial collagen content and the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. In an animal model of DMCMP, deterioration of LV systolic and diastolic function was partially prevented by thalidomide treatment.

  10. MELAS syndrome and cardiomyopathy: linking mitochondrial function to heart failure pathogenesis.

    PubMed

    Hsu, Ying-Han R; Yogasundaram, Haran; Parajuli, Nirmal; Valtuille, Lucas; Sergi, Consolato; Oudit, Gavin Y

    2016-01-01

    Heart failure remains an important clinical burden, and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in its pathogenesis. The heart has a high metabolic demand, and mitochondrial function is a key determinant of myocardial performance. In mitochondrial disorders, hypertrophic remodeling is the early pattern of cardiomyopathy with progression to dilated cardiomyopathy, conduction defects and ventricular pre-excitation occurring in a significant proportion of patients. Cardiac dysfunction occurs in approximately a third of patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, a stereotypical example of a mitochondrial disorder leading to a cardiomyopathy. We performed unique comparative ultrastructural and gene expression in a MELAS heart compared with non-failing controls. Our results showed a remarkable increase in mitochondrial inclusions and increased abnormal mitochondria in MELAS cardiomyopathy coupled with variable sarcomere thickening, heterogeneous distribution of affected cardiomyocytes and a greater elevation in the expression of disease markers. Investigation and management of patients with mitochondrial cardiomyopathy should follow the well-described contemporary heart failure clinical practice guidelines and include an important role of medical and device therapies. Directed metabolic therapy is lacking, but current research strategies are dedicated toward improving mitochondrial function in patients with mitochondrial disorders.

  11. Hydroxychloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy: case report, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

    PubMed

    Yogasundaram, Haran; Putko, Brendan N; Tien, Julia; Paterson, D Ian; Cujec, Bibiana; Ringrose, Jennifer; Oudit, Gavin Y

    2014-12-01

    Drug-induced heart and vascular disease remains an important health burden. Hydroxychloroquine and its predecessor chloroquine are medications commonly used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other connective tissue disorders. Hydroxychloroquine interferes with malarial metabolites, confers immunomodulatory effects, and also affects lysosomal function. Clinical monitoring and early recognition of toxicity is an important management strategy in patients who undergo long-term treatment with hydroxychloroquine. Retinal toxicity, neuromyopathy, and cardiac disease are recognized adverse effects of hydroxychloroquine. Immediate withdrawal of hydroxychloroquine is essential if toxicity is suspected because of the early reversibility of cardiomyopathy. In addition to recommended ophthalmological screening, regular screening with 12-lead electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography to detect conduction system disease and/or biventricular morphological or functional changes should be considered in hydroxychloroquine-treated patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsy are valuable tools to provide prognostic insights and confirm the diagnosis of hydroxychloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, chronic use of hydroxychloroquine can result in an acquired lysosomal storage disorder, leading to a drug-induced cardiomyopathy characterized by concentric hypertrophy and conduction abnormalities associated with increased adverse clinical outcomes and mortality. Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Graft survival after cardiac transplantation for alcohol cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Brinkley, D Marshall; Novak, Eric; Topkara, Veli K; Geltman, Edward M

    2014-08-27

    Alcohol cardiomyopathy (ACM) constitutes up to 40% of patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Transplant-free survival is worse for patients with ACM versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) with continued exposure. The prognosis for patients with ACM after cardiac transplantation is unknown. We evaluated adults who underwent single-organ, cardiac transplantation from 1994 to 2009 with a diagnosis of ACM (n=134) or IDCM (n=10,243) in the Organ Procurement Transplantation Network registry. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated by cohort for time until graft failure, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and hospitalization for rejection. A Cox proportional hazards model was created to determine factors associated with each outcome. Patients with ACM were more likely to be males (P<0.0001), minorities (P<0.0001), and smokers (P=0.0310) compared with IDCM. Overall graft survival was lower for the ACM cohort (P=0.0001). After multivariate analysis, ACM was not independently associated with graft survival (HR 1.341, 95% CI 0.944-1.906, P=0.1017). Creatinine, total bilirubin, minority ethnicity, graft under-sizing, life support, diabetes, and donor age were independent predictors of graft failure. There were no significant differences between primary cause of death, vasculopathy, or rejection. There was no association between ACM and graft survival in this large registry study, but poorer overall survival in the ACM cohort was associated with other recipient characteristics.

  13. Role of left ventricular twist mechanics in cardiomyopathies, dance of the helices

    PubMed Central

    Kauer, Floris; Geleijnse, Marcel Leonard; van Dalen, Bastiaan Martijn

    2015-01-01

    Left ventricular twist is an essential part of left ventricular function. Nevertheless, knowledge is limited in “the cardiology community” as it comes to twist mechanics. Fortunately the development of speckle tracking echocardiography, allowing accurate, reproducible and rapid bedside assessment of left ventricular twist, has boosted the interest in this important mechanical aspect of left ventricular deformation. Although the fundamental physiological role of left ventricular twist is undisputable, the clinical relevance of assessment of left ventricular twist in cardiomyopathies still needs to be established. The fact remains; analysis of left ventricular twist mechanics has already provided substantial pathophysiological understanding on a comprehensive variety of cardiomyopathies. It has become clear that increased left ventricular twist in for example hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be an early sign of subendocardial (microvascular) dysfunction. Furthermore, decreased left ventricular twist may be caused by left ventricular dilatation or an extensive myocardial scar. Finally, the detection of left ventricular rigid body rotation in noncompaction cardiomyopathy may provide an indispensible method to objectively confirm this difficult diagnosis. All this endorses the value of left ventricular twist in the field of cardiomyopathies and may further encourage the implementation of left ventricular twist parameters in the “diagnostic toolbox” for cardiomyopathies. PMID:26322187

  14. INCIDENCE OF ABNORMAL POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH UNEXPLAINED CARDIOMYOPATHY AND VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS

    PubMed Central

    Tung, Roderick; Bauer, Brenton; Schelbert, Heinrich; Lynch, Joseph; Auerbach, Martin; Gupta, Pawan; Schiepers, Christiaan; Chan, Samantha; Ferris, Julie; Barrio, Martin; Ajijola, Olujimi; Bradfield, Jason; Shivkumar, Kalyanam

    2015-01-01

    Background The incidence of myocardial inflammation in patients with unexplained cardiomyopathy referred for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is unknown. Objective To report fasting PET scan findings in consecutive patients referred with unexplained cardiomyopathy and VA. Methods 18-FDG PET/CT scans with a >16 hour fasting protocol were prospectively ordered for patients referred for VA and unexplained cardiomyopathy (EF<55%). Patients with focal myocardial FDG uptake were labeled as arrhythmogenic inflammatory cardiomyopathy (AIC) and classified into four groups based on the presence of lymph node uptake (AIC+) and perfusion abnormalities (early vs late stage). Results Over a 3-year period, 103 PET scan were performed with 49% (AIC+=17, AIC=33) exhibiting focal FDG uptake. The mean age was 52±12 years with an EF of 36±16%. Patients with AIC were more likely to have a history of pacemaker (32% vs 6%, p=0.002) compared to those with normal PET. When biopsy was performed, histologic diagnosis revealed non-granulomatous inflammation in 6 patients and sarcoidosis in 18 patients. 90% of patients with AIC/AIC+ were prescribed immunosuppressive therapy and 58% underwent ablation. Correlation between areas of perfusion abnormalities and FDG uptake with electro-anatomic mapping was observed in 79% patients and MRI findings matched in only 33%. Conclusions Nearly 50% of patients referred with unexplained cardiomyopathy and VA demonstrate ongoing focal myocardial inflammation on FDG PET. These data suggests that a significant proportion of patients labeled “idiopathic” may have occult arrhythmogenic inflammatory cardiomyopathy, which may benefit from early detection and immunosuppressive medical therapy. PMID:26272522

  15. Oculomotor apraxia and dilated cardiomyopathy with ataxia syndrome: A case report.

    PubMed

    Benson, Matthew D; Ferreira, Patrick; MacDonald, Ian M

    2017-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy with ataxia syndrome (DCMA) is a rare mitochondrial condition associated with early onset cardiomyopathy and non-progressive ataxia. The cardiac manifestations may be progressive and often severe, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. While optic nerve atrophy has been described in patients with DCMA, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of additional ocular phenotypes. We present two related Dariusleut Hutterite patients with documented DCMA syndrome and disorders of ocular motility: poor smooth pursuit and difficulty initiating saccadic eye movements and maintaining target fixation. We thus report the first cases of oculomotor apraxia in DCMA syndrome. By identifying these associated findings early in life, we hope to improve both the clinical diagnostic accuracy and timeliness of intervention in cases of DCMA.

  16. Cardiac transcriptome profiling of diabetic Akita mice using microarray and next generation sequencing

    PubMed Central

    Kesherwani, Varun; Shahshahan, Hamid R.

    2017-01-01

    Although diabetes mellitus (DM) causes cardiomyopathy and exacerbates heart failure, the underlying molecular mechanisms for diabetic cardiomyopathy/heart failure are poorly understood. Insulin2 mutant (Ins2+/-) Akita is a mouse model of T1DM, which manifests cardiac dysfunction. However, molecular changes at cardiac transcriptome level that lead to cardiomyopathy remain unclear. To understand the molecular changes in the heart of diabetic Akita mice, we profiled cardiac transcriptome of Ins2+/- Akita and Ins2+/+ control mice using next generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray, and determined the implications of differentially expressed genes on various heart failure signaling pathways using Ingenuity pathway (IPA) analysis. First, we validated hyperglycemia, increased cardiac fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction in twelve-week male diabetic Akita. Then, we analyzed the transcriptome levels in the heart. NGS analyses on Akita heart revealed 137 differentially expressed transcripts, where Bone Morphogenic Protein-10 (BMP10) was the most upregulated and hairy and enhancer of split-related (HELT) was the most downregulated gene. Moreover, twelve long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were upregulated. The microarray analyses on Akita heart showed 351 differentially expressed transcripts, where vomeronasal-1 receptor-180 (Vmn1r180) was the most upregulated and WD Repeat Domain 83 Opposite Strand (WDR83OS) was the most downregulated gene. Further, miR-101c and H19 lncRNA were upregulated but Neat1 lncRNA was downregulated in Akita heart. Eleven common genes were upregulated in Akita heart in both NGS and microarray analyses. IPA analyses revealed the role of these differentially expressed genes in key signaling pathways involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our results provide a platform to initiate focused future studies by targeting these genes and/or non-coding RNAs, which are differentially expressed in Akita hearts and are involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. PMID:28837672

  17. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with defective myocellular copper regulation and both defects are rectified by divalent copper chelation

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Heart disease is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients, and defective copper metabolism may play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study sought to determine how myocardial copper status and key copper-proteins might become impaired by diabetes, and how they respond to treatment with the Cu (II)-selective chelator triethylenetetramine (TETA) in DCM. Methods Experiments were performed in Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes with or without TETA treatment. Cardiac function was analyzed in isolated-perfused working hearts, and myocardial total copper content measured by particle-induced x-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) coupled with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Quantitative expression (mRNA and protein) and/or activity of key proteins that mediate LV-tissue-copper binding and transport, were analyzed by combined RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, and enzyme activity assays. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-tests or ANOVA and p-values of < 0.05 have been considered significant. Results Left-ventricular (LV) copper levels and function were severely depressed in rats following 16-weeks’ diabetes, but both were unexpectedly normalized 8-weeks after treatment with TETA was instituted. Localized myocardial copper deficiency was accompanied by decreased expression and increased polymerization of the copper-responsive transition-metal-binding metallothionein proteins (MT1/MT2), consistent with impaired anti-oxidant defences and elevated susceptibility to pro-oxidant stress. Levels of the high-affinity copper transporter-1 (CTR1) were depressed in diabetes, consistent with impaired membrane copper uptake, and were not modified by TETA which, contrastingly, renormalized myocardial copper and increased levels and cell-membrane localization of the low-affinity copper transporter-2 (CTR2). Diabetes also lowered indexes of

  18. Biomarker for early renal microvascular and diabetic kidney diseases.

    PubMed

    Futrakul, Narisa; Futrakul, Prasit

    2017-11-01

    Recognition of early stage of diabetic kidney disease, under common practice using biomarkers, namely microalbuminuria, serum creatinine level above 1 mg/dL and accepted definition of diabetic kidney disease associated with creatinine clearance value below 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , is unlikely. This would lead to delay treatment associated with therapeutic resistance to vasodilator due to a defective vascular homoeostasis. Other alternative biomarkers related to the state of microalbuminuria is not sensitive to screen for early diabetic kidney disease (stages I, II). In this regard, a better diagnostic markers to serve for this purpose are creatinine clearance, fractional excretion of magnesium (FE Mg), cystatin C. Recently, renal microvascular disease and renal ischemia have been demonstrated to correlate indirectly with the development of diabetic kidney disease and its function. Among these are angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, namely VEGF, VEGF receptors, angiopoietins and endostatin. With respect to therapeutic prevention, implementation of treatment at early stage of diabetic and nondiabetic kidney disease is able to restore renal perfusion and function.

  19. Hyaluronan Synthase 3 Variant and Anthracycline-Related Cardiomyopathy: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xuexia; Liu, Wei; Sun, Can-Lan; Armenian, Saro H.; Hakonarson, Hakon; Hageman, Lindsey; Ding, Yan; Landier, Wendy; Blanco, Javier G.; Chen, Lu; Quiñones, Adolfo; Ferguson, Daniel; Winick, Naomi; Ginsberg, Jill P.; Keller, Frank; Neglia, Joseph P.; Desai, Sunil; Sklar, Charles A.; Castellino, Sharon M.; Cherrick, Irene; Dreyer, ZoAnn E.; Hudson, Melissa M.; Robison, Leslie L.; Yasui, Yutaka; Relling, Mary V.; Bhatia, Smita

    2014-01-01

    Purpose The strong dose-dependent association between anthracyclines and cardiomyopathy is further exacerbated by the co-occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes and hypertension). The high morbidity associated with cardiomyopathy necessitates an understanding of the underlying pathogenesis so that targeted interventions can be developed. Patients and Methods By using a two-stage design, we investigated host susceptibility to anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy by using the ITMAT/Broad CARe cardiovascular single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to profile common SNPs in 2,100 genes considered relevant to de novo cardiovascular disease. Results By using a matched case-control design (93 cases, 194 controls), we identified a common SNP, rs2232228, in the hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3) gene that exerts a modifying effect on anthracycline dose-dependent cardiomyopathy risk (P = 5.3 × 10−7). Among individuals with rs2232228 GG genotype, cardiomyopathy was infrequent and not dose related. However, in individuals exposed to high-dose (> 250 mg/m2) anthracyclines, the rs2232228 AA genotype conferred an 8.9-fold (95% CI, 2.1- to 37.5-fold; P = .003) increased cardiomyopathy risk compared with the GG genotype. This gene-environment interaction was successfully replicated in an independent set of 76 patients with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy. Relative HAS3 mRNA levels measured in healthy hearts tended to be lower among individuals with AA compared with GA genotypes (P = .09). Conclusion Hyaluronan (HA) produced by HAS3 is a ubiquitous component of the extracellular matrix and plays an active role in tissue remodeling. In addition, HA is known to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) –induced cardiac injury. The high cardiomyopathy risk associated with AA genotype could be due to inadequate remodeling and/or inadequate protection of the heart from ROS-mediated injury on high anthracycline exposure. PMID:24470002

  20. Exogenous H2S facilitating ubiquitin aggregates clearance via autophagy attenuates type 2 diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Jichao; Tian, Zhiliang; Sun, Yu; Lu, Cuicui; Liu, Ning; Gao, Zhaopeng; Zhang, Linxue; Dong, Shiyun; Yang, Fan; Zhong, Xin; Xu, Changqing; Lu, Fanghao; Zhang, Weihua

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a newly found gaseous signalling molecule, has an important role in many regulatory functions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of exogenous H2S on autophagy and its possible mechanism in DCM induced by type II diabetes (T2DCM). In this study, we found that sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) attenuated the augment in left ventricular (LV) mass and increased LV volume, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ameliorated H2S production in the hearts of db/db mice. NaHS facilitated autophagosome content degradation, reduced the expression of P62 (a known substrate of autophagy) and increased the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II. It also increased the expression of autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) and Beclin1 in db/db mouse hearts. NaHS increased the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1) and reduced the ubiquitylation level in the hearts of db/db mice. 1,4-Dithiothreitol, an inhibitor of disulphide bonds, increased the ubiquitylation level of Keap-1, suppressed the expression of Keap-1 and abolished the effects of NaHS on ubiquitin aggregate clearance and ROS production in H9C2 cells treated with high glucose and palmitate. Overall, we concluded that exogenous H2S promoted ubiquitin aggregate clearance via autophagy, which might exert its antioxidative effect in db/db mouse myocardia. Moreover, exogenous H2S increased Keap-1 expression by suppressing its ubiquitylation, which might have an important role in ubiquitin aggregate clearance via autophagy. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanisms responsible for the antioxidative effects of H2S in the context of T2DCM. PMID:28796243

  1. Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Safi, Hamid; Safi, Sare; Hafezi-Moghadam, Ali; Ahmadieh, Hamid

    2018-04-18

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a primary cause of visual impairment worldwide. Diabetes mellitus may be associated with ophthalmoscopically nonvisible neurovascular damage that progresses before the first clinical signs of DR appear. Reduction of the inner neuroretinal layer thickness on macular optical coherence tomography (OCT), reduced contrast sensitivity primarily at low spatial frequencies, abnormal results in color vision and microperimetry tests, and a prolonged implicit time recorded by multifocal electroretinography have been proposed for detection of early functional and nonvisible structural neuroretinal changes. Vascular abnormalities such as changes in the retinal vessels caliber, architectural indices, and blood flow have been investigated to evaluate the early stages of DR. The results of OCT angiography, retinal vessel oxygen saturation patterns, and elevated levels of circulating blood markers and cytokines have been suggested as early signs of DR. Light-based molecular imaging in rodents has been developed to demonstrate changes in protein expressions in the retinal microvessels as diagnostic biomarkers. Future clinical studies will examine the safety and efficacy of this approach in humans. We summarize all studies related to subclinical DR biomarkers. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Periodontitis as a possible early sign of diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Teeuw, Wijnand J; Kosho, Madeline X F; Poland, Dennis C W; Gerdes, Victor E A; Loos, Bruno G

    2017-01-01

    The early diagnosis of (pre)diabetes mellitus is essential for the prevention of diabetes complications. It has been suggested that gum disease (periodontitis) might be an early complication of diabetes and may be a useful risk indicator for diabetes screening. Therefore, a dental office could be a good location for screening for (pre)diabetes in patients with periodontitis using a validated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dry spot analysis. A total of 313 individuals from a university dental clinic participated. From 126 patients with mild/moderate periodontitis, 78 patients with severe periodontitis and 109 subjects without periodontitis, HbA1c values were obtained by the analysis of dry blood spots. Differences in mean HbA1c values and the prevalence of (pre)diabetes between the groups were analyzed. The mild/moderate and severe periodontitis groups showed significantly higher HbA1c values (6.1%±1.4% (43 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol) and 6.3%±1.3% (45 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol), respectively) compared with the control group (5.7%±0.7% (39 mmol/mol±8 mmol/mol), p=0.003). In addition, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for diagnosis, there was a significant over-representation of subjects with suspected diabetes (23% and 14%) and pre-diabetes (47% and 46%) in the severe periodontitis group and mild/moderate periodontitis groups, respectively, compared with the control group (10% and 37%, p=0.010). Notably, 18.1% of patients with suspected new diabetes were found among subjects with severe periodontitis compared with 9.9% and 8.5% among subjects with mild/moderate periodontitis and controls, respectively (p=0.024). The dental office, with particular focus on patients with severe periodontitis, proved to be a suitable location for screening for (pre)diabetes; a considerable number of suspected new diabetes cases were identified. The early diagnosis and treatment of (pre)diabetes help to prevent more severe complications and benefit the

  3. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: an overlooked cause of chest pain

    PubMed Central

    Tomazelli, Bruno; Furieri, Natassia Prates; Coelho, Renato Alves; de Lima, Camila Fiorese

    2014-01-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also known as apical ballooning syndrome, broken heart syndrome, or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is defined as a transient disturbance of the left ventricle, which is quite often associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities that may mimic acute myocardial infarction. The syndrome is also characterized by a mild alteration of cardiac biomarkers in absence of coronary blood flow obstruction on the coronariography. Clinical presentation is often manifested by angina, dyspnea, syncope, and arrhythmias. Peculiarly, the left ventricle takes the form of “tako-tsubo” (a Japanese word for “octopus trap”) on the imaging workup. The authors report the case of a post-menopausal, hypertensive, dyslipidemic and type-II diabetic woman admitted at the emergency service with acute chest pain post physical exertion. Electrocardiogram showed signs of ischemia and myocardial necrosis markers were mildly increased. Echocardiography and ventriculography showed apical and mid-ventricular akinesia, with mild atherosclerotic coronary lesions. Thus diagnostic workup and the outcome followed the diagnostic criteria for TTC. The authors called attention to the potential of overlooking this diagnosis, since this syndrome is still not widely recognized. PMID:28580329

  4. Quantitative assessment of early diabetic retinopathy using fractal analysis.

    PubMed

    Cheung, Ning; Donaghue, Kim C; Liew, Gerald; Rogers, Sophie L; Wang, Jie Jin; Lim, Shueh-Wen; Jenkins, Alicia J; Hsu, Wynne; Li Lee, Mong; Wong, Tien Y

    2009-01-01

    Fractal analysis can quantify the geometric complexity of the retinal vascular branching pattern and may therefore offer a new method to quantify early diabetic microvascular damage. In this study, we examined the relationship between retinal fractal dimension and retinopathy in young individuals with type 1 diabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 729 patients with type 1 diabetes (aged 12-20 years) who had seven-field stereoscopic retinal photographs taken of both eyes. From these photographs, retinopathy was graded according to the modified Airlie House classification, and fractal dimension was quantified using a computer-based program following a standardized protocol. In this study, 137 patients (18.8%) had diabetic retinopathy signs; of these, 105 had mild retinopathy. Median (interquartile range) retinal fractal dimension was 1.46214 (1.45023-1.47217). After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, A1C, blood pressure, and total cholesterol, increasing retinal vascular fractal dimension was significantly associated with increasing odds of retinopathy (odds ratio 3.92 [95% CI 2.02-7.61] for fourth versus first quartile of fractal dimension). In multivariate analysis, each 0.01 increase in retinal vascular fractal dimension was associated with a nearly 40% increased odds of retinopathy (1.37 [1.21-1.56]). This association remained after additional adjustment for retinal vascular caliber. Greater retinal fractal dimension, representing increased geometric complexity of the retinal vasculature, is independently associated with early diabetic retinopathy signs in type 1 diabetes. Fractal analysis of fundus photographs may allow quantitative measurement of early diabetic microvascular damage.

  5. Hypocalcemic rachitic cardiomyopathy in infants

    PubMed Central

    Elidrissy, Abdelwahab T.H.; Munawarah, Medinah; Alharbi, Khalid M.

    2012-01-01

    Hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy in infants is characterized by heart failure in a previously normal infant with hypocalcemia without organic cardiac lesion. Vitamin D deficiency rickets is increasing in Middle East. In a six month study 136 cases of rickets were diagnosed in the main Children’s Hospital in Almadinah but none of them showed evidence of cardiomyopathy. Concerned of missing this serious complication of rickets we searched pub med and present this review article. Results 61 cases of hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy were reported as case reports with two series of 16 and 15 cases from London and Delhi, respectively. The major features of these cases: the age ranged from one month to 15 months with a mean age of 5 months. All presented with heart failure and hypocalcemia. There was a minor feature of rickets in a few of the cases. All had high alkaline phosphatase. Echocardiology evidence of cardiomyopathy was found in all. Most of them responded to calcium, vitamin D and cardiotonic and diuretics. Discussion We concentrated on pathogenesis of this hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy and reviewed the literature. The evidence available supports that the most likely cause of cardiomyopathy is hypocalcemia. Hypovitamin D also contributes but hyperparathyroidism might have a protective role as we did not detect any evidence of cardiomyopathy with hyperparathyroidism and florid features of rickets. Conclusion We need to look out for cardiomyopathy among infants with hypocalcemia. For prevention maternal supplementation during pregnancy and lactation with up to 2000 units of vitamin D and 400 units for their infants. PMID:24174842

  6. Histologic characterization of canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Tidholm, A; Jönsson, L

    2005-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), characterized by chamber dilatation and myocardial systolic and diastolic dysfunction, is one of the most common heart diseases in dogs. The clinical diagnosis is based on findings on echocardiographic and Doppler examinations, with the active exclusion of other acquired or congenital heart diseases. However, the echocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of DCM are not wholly specific for the disease, and histologic examination may be necessary for final diagnosis. Review of reports on histologic findings in dogs with clinically diagnosed DCM reveals two histologically distinct forms of DCM: 1) cardiomyopathy of Boxers and Doberman Pinschers, corresponding to the "fatty infiltration-degenerative" type and 2) the form seen in many giant, large-, and medium-sized breeds, including some Boxers and Doberman Pinschers, classified as the "attenuated wavy fiber" type of DCM. The histologic changes of the attenuated wavy fiber type of DCM may precede clinical and echocardiographic signs of heart disease, thus indicating an early stage of DCM.

  7. Early Onset Diabetes - Genetic And Hormonal Analysis In Pakistani Population.

    PubMed

    Wahid, Maryam; Kamran, Mohammad

    2016-01-01

    Mitochondrial DNA mutation and hormonal imbalance is involved in the pathogenesis of early onset diabetes but data is lacking in Pakistani population. The study was planned to delineate the clinical presentation of early onset diabetes with possible hormonal and genetic etiological factors and aascertain the possible etiological role of insulin and glucagon in these patients either on oral hypoglycaemic or subcutaneous insulin therapy. Retrospective, analytical case control study with conventional sampling technique carried at Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM) affiliated with the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi from Dec 2006 to July 2011. Study included the patients (20-35 years of age) with early onset diabetes on oral hypoglycemic (n=240), insulin therapy (n=280), and compared with non-diabetic healthy controls (n=150). A fragment surrounding tRNALeu (UUR) gene was amplified by AmpliTaq from mtDNA which was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. Then it was subjected to restriction endonucleases, ApaI for A3242G mutation and HaeIII for G3316A mutation detection. Plasma glucose, glycosylated Hb, osmolality, insulin and glucagon levels along with ABGs analysis was also done. Non diabetic controls comprised of 51% males and 49% females, diabetics on oral hypoglycemic 60% males and 40 % females and on insulin therapy 54% males and 46% females. Insulin dependent diabetics had statistically significant hyperglucagonemia, acidemia and bicarbonate deficit. MtDNA A3242G and G3316A mutations were not detected. relative hyperglucagonemia and acidemia in Insulin dependent diabetics was a potent threat leading to DKA. The absence of two mtDNA mutations in ND1 gene rules out the possibility of involvement of these mutations in early onset diabetes in Pakistani population.

  8. Left dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: a morbid association of ventricular arrhythmias and unexplained infero-lateral T-wave inversion.

    PubMed

    Protonotarios, Alexandros; Patrianakos, Alexandros; Spanoudaki, Elpida; Kochiadakis, Georgios; Michalodimitrakis, Emmanouel; Vardas, Panagiotis

    2013-01-01

    Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a subtype of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy characterized by early predominant left ventricular involvement. Α 34-year-old man presented with palpitations and a history of frequent ventricular extrasystoles of both LBBB and RBBB configuration. Cardiac workup revealed repolarization abnormalities at infero-lateral leads in the absence of diagnostic structural/functional alterations or obstructive coronary artery disease. Six months later he died suddenly. Histopathology was diagnostic for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy affecting predominantly the left ventricle at subepicardial/midwall myocardial layers. Thus, ventricular arrhythmias accompanied by unexplained infero-lateral T-wave inversion should warn of a possible morbid association underlying left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Genetics Home Reference: familial restrictive cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... the United States and in Europe, restrictive cardiomyopathy accounts for less than five percent of all cardiomyopathies. The proportion of restrictive cardiomyopathy that runs in families is not known. Related Information What information about a genetic condition can statistics ...

  10. Light adaptation does not prevent early retinal abnormalities in diabetic rats

    PubMed Central

    Kur, Joanna; Burian, Michael A.; Newman, Eric A.

    2016-01-01

    The aetiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, remains controversial. One hypothesis holds that retinal hypoxia, exacerbated by the high O2 consumption of rod photoreceptors in the dark, is a primary cause of DR. Based on this prediction we investigated whether early retinal abnormalities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats are alleviated by preventing the rods from dark adapting. Diabetic rats and their non-diabetic littermates were housed in a 12:12 hour light-dim light photocycle (30 lux during the day and 3 lux at night). Progression of early retinal abnormalities in diabetic rats was assessed by monitoring the ERG b-wave and oscillatory potentials, Müller cell reactive gliosis, and neuronal cell death, as assayed by TUNEL staining and retinal thickness at 6 and 12 weeks after diabetes induction. Maintaining diabetic animals in a dim-adapting light did not slow the progression of these neuronal and glial changes when compared to diabetic rats maintained in a standard 12:12 hour light-dark photocycle (30 lux during the day and 0 lux at night). Our results indicate that neuronal and glial abnormalities in early stages of diabetes are not exacerbated by rod photoreceptor O2 consumption in the dark. PMID:26852722

  11. Utility of urinary biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for early diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Vijay, Soorampally; Hamide, Abdoul; Senthilkumar, Gandhipuram Periyasamy; Mehalingam, Vadivelan

    2018-04-12

    Renal tubulo-interstitial damage has an important role in the pathogenesis of early diabetic nephropathy. Urinary biomarkers can help in the detection of early nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin-C in type 2 diabetic patients with early diabetic nephropathy & to compare them with diabetic patients without nephropathy and to correlate urinary NGAL and cystatin-C levels with microalbuminuria in them. Cross-sectional comparative study. The study was conducted on 126 patients with type 2 diabetes along with 30 control subjects attending the outpatient care department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. There were 3 study groups-diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, diabetic patients without albuminuria and control subjects who were non-diabetic without any renal disease. Details on duration of diabetes and glycemic status were obtained from the patients. Urine examination was done for subjects in all the groups to look for microalbuminuria along with estimation of NGAL and cystatin-C levels. Samples were stored at -20 °C in the deep freezer. Urinary NGAL and cystatin-C levels were significantly elevated in patients with microalbuminuria (228.18 & 3.23 ng/ml) as compared to those without albuminuria (146.12 & 2.61 ng/ml) and in control subjects (26.56 & 0.30 ng/ml). Urinary NGAL and cystatin-C levels showed a linear correlation with microalbuminuria in diabetic patients. Urinary NGAL and cystatin-C levels were increased in type 2 diabetic patients with early diabetic nephropathy as compared to patients without nephropathy. Urine NGAL and cystatin-C levels also showed a positive correlation with microalbuminuria (urine albumin-creatinine ratio) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2018 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Periodontitis as a possible early sign of diabetes mellitus

    PubMed Central

    Teeuw, Wijnand J; Kosho, Madeline X F; Poland, Dennis C W; Gerdes, Victor E A; Loos, Bruno G

    2017-01-01

    Objective The early diagnosis of (pre)diabetes mellitus is essential for the prevention of diabetes complications. It has been suggested that gum disease (periodontitis) might be an early complication of diabetes and may be a useful risk indicator for diabetes screening. Therefore, a dental office could be a good location for screening for (pre)diabetes in patients with periodontitis using a validated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dry spot analysis. Research design and methods A total of 313 individuals from a university dental clinic participated. From 126 patients with mild/moderate periodontitis, 78 patients with severe periodontitis and 109 subjects without periodontitis, HbA1c values were obtained by the analysis of dry blood spots. Differences in mean HbA1c values and the prevalence of (pre)diabetes between the groups were analyzed. Results The mild/moderate and severe periodontitis groups showed significantly higher HbA1c values (6.1%±1.4% (43 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol) and 6.3%±1.3% (45 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol), respectively) compared with the control group (5.7%±0.7% (39 mmol/mol±8 mmol/mol), p=0.003). In addition, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for diagnosis, there was a significant over-representation of subjects with suspected diabetes (23% and 14%) and pre-diabetes (47% and 46%) in the severe periodontitis group and mild/moderate periodontitis groups, respectively, compared with the control group (10% and 37%, p=0.010). Notably, 18.1% of patients with suspected new diabetes were found among subjects with severe periodontitis compared with 9.9% and 8.5% among subjects with mild/moderate periodontitis and controls, respectively (p=0.024). Conclusions The dental office, with particular focus on patients with severe periodontitis, proved to be a suitable location for screening for (pre)diabetes; a considerable number of suspected new diabetes cases were identified. The early diagnosis and treatment of (pre)diabetes

  13. Verbal and Academic Skills in Children with Early-Onset Type 1 Diabetes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hannonen, Riitta; Komulainen, Jorma; Eklund, Kenneth; Tolvanen, Asko; Riikonen, Raili; Ahonen, Timo

    2010-01-01

    Aim: Basic verbal and academic skills can be adversely affected by early-onset diabetes, although these skills have been studied less than other cognitive functions. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of learning deficits in children with diabetes by assessing basic verbal and academic skills in children with early-onset diabetes and in…

  14. Proteomics analysis identified peroxiredoxin 2 involved in early-phase left ventricular impairment in hamsters with cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Kuzuya, Kentaro; Ichihara, Sahoko; Suzuki, Yuka; Inoue, Chisa; Ichihara, Gaku; Kurimoto, Syota; Oikawa, Shinji

    2018-01-01

    Given the hypothesis that inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, the aim of the present study was to identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of myocardial proteins involved in early-phase cardiac impairment, using proteomics analysis. Using the two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry, we compared differences in the expression of proteins in the whole left ventricles between control hamsters, dilated cardiomyopathic hamsters (TO-2), and hypertrophy cardiomyopathic hamsters (Bio14.6) at 6 weeks of age (n = 6, each group). Proteomic analysis identified 10 protein spots with significant alterations, with 7 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins in the left ventricles of both TO-2 and Bio 14.6 hamsters, compared with control hamsters. Of the total alterations, peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) showed significant upregulation in the left ventricles of TO-2 and Bio 14.6 hamsters. Our data suggest that PRDX2, a redox regulating molecule, is involved in early-phase left ventricular impairment in hamsters with cardiomyopathy.

  15. Inherited cardiomyopathies and sports participation.

    PubMed

    Zorzi, A; Pelliccia, A; Corrado, D

    2018-03-01

    Competitive sports activity is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiovascular death in adolescents and young adults with inherited cardiomyopathies. Many young subjects aspire to continue competitive sport after a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and the clinician is frequently confronted with the problem of eligibility and the request of designing specific exercise programs. Since inherited cardiomyopathies are the leading cause of sudden cardiovascular death during sports performance, a conservative approach implying disqualification of affected athletes from most competitive athletic disciplines is recommended by all the available international guidelines. On the other hand, we know that the health benefits of practicing recreational sports activity can overcome the potential arrhythmic risk in these patients, provided that the type and level of exercise are tailored on the basis of the specific risk profile of the underlying cardiomyopathy. This article will review the available evidence on the sports-related risk of sudden cardiac death and the recommendations regarding eligibility of individuals affected by inherited cardiomyopathies for sports activities.

  16. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Ruiz-del-Árbol, Luis; Serradilla, Regina

    2015-01-01

    During the course of cirrhosis, there is a progressive deterioration of cardiac function manifested by the disappearance of the hyperdynamic circulation due to a failure in heart function with decreased cardiac output. This is due to a deterioration in inotropic and chronotropic function which takes place in parallel with a diastolic dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy in the absence of other known cardiac disease. Other findings of this specific cardiomyopathy include impaired contractile responsiveness to stress stimuli and electrophysiological abnormalities with prolonged QT interval. The pathogenic mechanisms of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy include impairment of the b-adrenergic receptor signalling, abnormal cardiomyocyte membrane lipid composition and biophysical properties, ion channel defects and overactivity of humoral cardiodepressant factors. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may be difficult to determine due to the lack of a specific diagnosis test. However, an echocardiogram allows the detection of the diastolic dysfunction and the E/e′ ratio may be used in the follow-up progression of the illness. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the impairment of effective arterial blood volume and correlates with the degree of liver failure. A clinical consequence of cardiac dysfunction is an inadequate cardiac response in the setting of vascular stress that may result in renal hypoperfusion leading to renal failure. The prognosis is difficult to establish but the severity of diastolic dysfunction may be a marker of mortality risk. Treatment is non-specific and liver transplantation may normalize the cardiac function. PMID:26556983

  17. Management of an acute catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and circulatory collapse: a multidisciplinary approach

    PubMed Central

    Challis, B G; Pitfield, D; Mahroof, R M; Jamieson, N; Bhagra, C J; Vuylsteke, A; Pettit, S J; Chatterjee, K C

    2017-01-01

    A phaeochromocytoma (PC) is a rare, catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumour arising from the adrenal medulla. Presenting symptoms of this rare tumour are highly variable but life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction can occur secondary to catecholamine-induced hypertension or hypotension and subsequent cardiovascular collapse. High levels of circulating catecholamines can induce an acute stress cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Recent studies have focused on early diagnosis and estimation of the prevalence of acute stress cardiomyopathy in patients with PC, but very little is reported about management of these complex cases. Here, we report the case of a 38-year-old lady who presented with an acute Takotsubo or stress cardiomyopathy and catecholamine crisis, caused by an occult left-sided 5 cm PC. The initial presenting crisis manifested with symptoms of severe headache and abdominal pain, triggered by a respiratory tract infection. On admission to hospital, the patient rapidly deteriorated, developing respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock and subsequent cardiovascular collapse due to further exacerbation of the catecholamine crisis caused by a combination of opiates and intravenous corticosteroid. An echocardiogram revealed left ventricular apical hypokinesia and ballooning, with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 10–15%. Herein, we outline the early stabilisation period, preoperative optimisation and intraoperative management, providing anecdotal guidance for the management of this rare life-threatening complication of PC. Learning points: A diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma should be considered in patients presenting with acute cardiomyopathy or cardiogenic shock without a clear ischaemic or valvular aetiology. Catecholamine crisis is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires cross-disciplinary expertise and management to ensure the best clinical outcome. After initial resuscitation, treatment of acute

  18. Role of cardiac MRI in nonischemic cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Anand, Senthil; Janardhanan, Rajesh

    2016-01-01

    Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with its higher spatial resolution is considered the gold standard for evaluating ventricular mass, volumes, and ejection fraction. CMR can be used for accurate diagnosis of several conditions, especially cardiomyopathies. The purpose of this article is to review the utility of CMR in the diagnosis and management of nonischemic cardiomyopathies. We have reviewed both common and rare types of nonischemic cardiomyopathies in detail and elaborated on the specific CMR findings in each. We believe that CMR is an invaluable tool, not only in differentiating nonischemic from ischemic cardiomyopathy, but also in aiding the accurate diagnosis and management of the subtype of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. CMR should routinely be integrated in the diagnostic workup of various cardiomyopathies. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  19. Psoriasis and dilated cardiomyopathy: coincidence or associated diseases?

    PubMed

    Eliakim-Raz, Noa; Shuvy, Mony; Lotan, Chaim; Planer, David

    2008-01-01

    Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease which affects 1-3% of the population. The etiology of psoriasis is unknown. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is probably the end result of a variety of toxic, metabolic or infectious agents. During a computerized search for cardiomyopathy among all patients hospitalized with psoriasis in the Hadassah University Hospital since 1980 we found an increased prevalence of cardiomyopathy, and specifically dilated cardiomyopathy. We present 4 patients who suffer from both conditions. In accordance with previous data, an association between preexisting psoriasis and dilated cardiomyopathy is suggested. We suggest that the genetic risk factors of dilated cardiomyopathy are shared by psoriasis, and more specifically psoriatic arthritis. Alternatively, the immune reaction that is triggered in dilated cardiomyopathy leading to the progression of the disease might be enhanced in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Chronic inflammation and persistent secretion of proinflammatory cytokines may be considered a potential pathway, triggering the initiation and progression of dilated cardiomyopathy in psoriatic patients. Further investigation of the genetic and immune risk factors involved in dilated cardiomyopathy and in psoriasis may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  20. Genetics Home Reference: X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... Twitter Home Health Conditions X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy Printable PDF Open All Close ... Javascript to view the expand/collapse boxes. Description X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy is a form of heart ...

  1. Troponin T and Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Fetuses of Type 1 Diabetic Mothers

    PubMed Central

    Russell, Noirin E.; Higgins, Mary F.; Amaruso, Michael; Foley, Michael; McAuliffe, F.M.

    2009-01-01

    OBJECTIVE Cardiomyopathy is noted in up to 40% of infants of diabetic mothers, and the exact mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal serum markers of cardiac function differ between normal and type 1 diabetic pregnancies and to examine the relationship between these markers and fetal cardiac structure and function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a prospective observational study of 45 type 1 diabetic pregnancies and 39 normal pregnancies. All participants had concentrations of fetal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) and troponin-T (TnT) measured at the time of delivery. All patients with type 1 diabetes had Doppler evaluation of the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus in the third trimester, and a subset (n = 21) had detailed fetal echocardiograms performed in each trimester. RESULTS Fetal proBNP and TnT concentrations were higher in the diabetic cohort than in the normal cohort (P < 0.05). ProBNP correlated positively with interventricular septum thickness (P < 0.05) but not with cardiac function indexes in the third trimester. In patients with poor glycemic control, there was a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) between fetal TnT and the third trimester umbilical artery pulsatility index. There were also increased levels of fetal TnT in infants with poor perinatal outcome (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction are elevated in infants of diabetic mothers, especially those with cardiomyopathy or poor perinatal outcome. Hyperglycemia in early pregnancy may affect myocardial and placental development, thus contributing to the susceptibility to hypoxia seen in these infants. PMID:19690080

  2. Early Pregnancy Diabetes Screening and Diagnosis: Prevalence, Rates of Abnormal Test Results, and Associated Factors.

    PubMed

    Mission, John F; Catov, Janet; Deihl, Tiffany E; Feghali, Maisa; Scifres, Christina

    2017-11-01

    To evaluate the prevalence of early diabetes screening in pregnancy, rates of abnormal diabetes test results before 24 weeks of gestation, and factors associated with early diabetes screening. This was a retrospective cohort study of all singleton deliveries from 2012 to 2014 among diverse clinical practices at a large academic medical center. We assessed rates of early (less than 24 weeks of gestation) and routine (at or beyond 24 weeks of gestation) diabetes screening, with abnormal test results defined using the Carpenter-Coustan criteria, a 50-g glucose challenge test result greater than 200 mg/dL, or a hemoglobin A1C level greater than 6.5%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate clinical and demographic determinants of screening and diagnosis. Overall, 1,420 of 11,331 (12.5%) women underwent early screening. Increasing body mass index (BMI) category, race, public insurance, history of gestational diabetes mellitus, a family history of diabetes, and chronic hypertension were associated with early screening. Early screening rates rose with increasing BMI category, but only 268 of 551 (48.6%) of women with class III obesity underwent early screening. Among those screened early, 2.0% of normal-weight women, 4.0% of overweight women, 4.2% of class I obese women, 3.8% of class II obese women, and 9.0% of class III obese women had abnormal early test results (P<.001). Early diabetes screening is used inconsistently, and many women with risk factors do not undergo early screening. A significant proportion of women with class III obesity will test positive for gestational diabetes mellitus before 24 weeks of gestation, and studies are urgently needed to assess the effect of early diabetes screening and diagnosis on perinatal outcomes in high-risk women.

  3. Mutations of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) genes in Thais with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Plengvidhya, Nattachet; Boonyasrisawat, Watip; Chongjaroen, Nalinee; Jungtrakoon, Prapaporn; Sriussadaporn, Sutin; Vannaseang, Sathit; Banchuin, Napatawn; Yenchitsomanus, Pa-thai

    2009-06-01

    Six known genes responsible for maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) were analysed to evaluate the prevalence of their mutations in Thai patients with MODY and early-onset type 2 diabetes. Fifty-one unrelated probands with early-onset type 2 diabetes, 21 of them fitted into classic MODY criteria, were analysed for nucleotide variations in promoters, exons, and exon-intron boundaries of six known MODY genes, including HNF-4alpha, GCK, HNF-1alpha, IPF-1, HNF-1beta, and NeuroD1/beta2, by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method followed by direct DNA sequencing. Missense mutations or mutations located in regulatory region, which were absent in 130 chromosomes of non-diabetic controls, were classified as potentially pathogenic mutations. We found that mutations of the six known MODY genes account for a small proportion of classic MODY (19%) and early-onset type 2 diabetes (10%) in Thais. Five of these mutations are novel including GCK R327H, HNF-1alpha P475L, HNF-1alphaG554fsX556, NeuroD1-1972 G > A and NeuroD1 A322N. Mutations of IPF-1 and HNF-1beta were not identified in the studied probands. Mutations of the six known MODY genes may not be a major cause of MODY and early-onset type 2 diabetes in Thais. Therefore, unidentified genes await discovery in a majority of Thai patients with MODY and early-onset type 2 diabetes.

  4. Cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... to grow in the heart and other organs (sarcoidosis) A disorder that causes the buildup of abnormal ... to grow in the heart and other organs (sarcoidosis), or connective tissue disorders Complications Cardiomyopathy can lead ...

  5. Biventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in Graves hyperthyroidism.

    PubMed

    Perkins, Matthew J; Schachter, David T

    2014-03-01

    Graves hyperthyroidism is commonly seen in clinical practice and Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized cardiac complication of physical or emotional stress. We report the rare case of a patient with Graves hyperthyroidism that was complicated by severe biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which was demonstrated on heart catheterization. After appropriate pharmacologic treatment of her hyperthyroidism, she had complete resolution of her cardiomyopathy.

  6. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiologic insights

    PubMed Central

    Piano, Mariann R.; Phillips, Shane A.

    2014-01-01

    Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a specific heart muscle disease found in individuals with a history of long-term heavy alcohol consumption. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is associated with a number of adverse histological, cellular, and structural changes within the myocardium. Several mechanisms are implicated in mediating the adverse effects of ethanol, including the generation of oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics/stress, derangements in fatty acid metabolism and transport, and accelerated protein catabolism. In this review, we discuss the evidence for such mechanisms and present the potential importance of drinking patterns, genetic susceptibility, nutritional factors, race, and sex. The purpose of this review is to provide a mechanistic paradigm for future research in the area of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. PMID:24671642

  7. Left ventricular function determined by Doppler echocardiography in adolescents with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Salazar, J; Rivas, A; Rodriguez, M; Felipe, J; Garcia, M D; Bone, J

    1994-01-01

    Sixty-one children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and twenty-three healthy subjects were investigated. The patients with diabetes mellitus aged 4 to 20 years (13.4 +/- 4.0) had had diabetes for 1 to 16 years (6.4 +/- 3.5). There were no cardiovascular risk factor other than diabetes. Patients received no medication other than insulin. The following echocardiographic and Doppler parameters of the left ventricle were analyzed in both groups: systolic and diastolic dimensions, systolic time intervals, fractional shortening, mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, percent relaxation of the left ventricular posterior wall at 50% of diastole, peak velocity of early (E) and late atrial (A) mitral flow. E/A ratio, deceleration of the E-wave, and the isovolumetric relaxation time. None of the parameters were significantly different between the groups. There was no relation observed between duration of diabetes and any of the parameters analyzed. It is concluded that there is not echocardiographic data to support the concept of diabetic cardiomyopathy in adolescents with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

  8. Abroma augusta L. (Malvaceae) leaf extract attenuates diabetes induced nephropathy and cardiomyopathy via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

    PubMed

    Khanra, Ritu; Dewanjee, Saikat; K Dua, Tarun; Sahu, Ranabir; Gangopadhyay, Moumita; De Feo, Vincenzo; Zia-Ul-Haq, Muhammad

    2015-01-16

    Abroma augusta L. (Malvaceae) leaf is traditionally used to treat diabetes in India and Southern Asia. Therefore, current study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of defatted methanol extract of A. augusta leaves (AA) against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated nephropathy and cardiomyopathy in experimental rats. Antidiabetic activity of AA extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was measured in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat. Fasting blood glucose level (at specific interval) and serum biochemical markers (after sacrifice) were measured. Redox status, transcription levels of signal proteins (NF-κB and PKCs), mitochondria dependent apoptotic pathway (Bad, Bcl-2, caspase cascade) and histological studies were performed in kidneys and hearts of controls and AA treated diabetic rats. Phytochemical screening of extracts revealed the presence of taraxerol, flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the AA. T2D rats showed significantly (p < 0.01) elevated fasting blood glucose level. Alteration in serum lipid profile and release of membrane bound enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase, which ensured the participation of hyperlipidemia and cell membrane disintegration in diabetic pathophysiology. T2DM caused alteration in the serum biochemical markers related to diabetic complications. T2DM altered the redox status, decreased the intracellular NAD and ATP concentrations in renal and myocardial tissues of experimental rats. Investigating the molecular mechanism, activation PKC isoforms was observed in the selected tissues. T2D rats also exhibited an up-regulation of NF-κB and increase in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in the renal and cardiac tissues. The activation of mitochondria dependent apoptotic pathway was observed in renal and myocardial tissues of the T2D rats. However, Oral administration of AA at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight per day

  9. Exposure of the developing heart to diabetic environment and early cardiac assessment: A review.

    PubMed

    Asoglu, Mehmet R; Gabbay-Benziv, Rinat; Turan, Ozhan M; Turan, Sifa

    2018-02-01

    Hyperglycemia during organogenesis is associated with an increased risk of congenital cardiac defects (CHDs). The pathophysiology leading to CHDs is not completely uncovered. However, elevated oxidative stress is considered to be the primary trigger that causes CHDs in fetuses of diabetic mothers. Maternal diabetes has been found to increase the risk for all types of CHDs. Diabetes may also impact the fetal cardiac performance at all gestational ages. Early detection of CHDs has certain advantages, such as making early decision about termination of pregnancy, enabling early genetic testing, and early reassurance if scan is normal. Combined transabdominal and transvaginal approach at 13-14 weeks of gestation is a reasonable strategy to assess fetal heart in diabetic women. Diagnostic accuracy of early fetal echocardiography has reached to above a reasonable cutoff when it is done in the late first trimester or early second trimester in the hands of expert sonographers. However, the literature is less certain to provide a firm conclusion about functional heart assessment in fetuses of diabetic mothers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Advanced Glycation End Products and Diabetic Complications

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Varun Parkash; Bali, Anjana; Singh, Nirmal

    2014-01-01

    During long standing hyperglycaemic state in diabetes mellitus, glucose forms covalent adducts with the plasma proteins through a non-enzymatic process known as glycation. Protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiomyopathy along with some other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and aging. Glycation of proteins interferes with their normal functions by disrupting molecular conformation, altering enzymatic activity, and interfering with receptor functioning. AGEs form intra- and extracellular cross linking not only with proteins, but with some other endogenous key molecules including lipids and nucleic acids to contribute in the development of diabetic complications. Recent studies suggest that AGEs interact with plasma membrane localized receptors for AGEs (RAGE) to alter intracellular signaling, gene expression, release of pro-inflammatory molecules and free radicals. The present review discusses the glycation of plasma proteins such as albumin, fibrinogen, globulins and collagen to form different types of AGEs. Furthermore, the role of AGEs in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including retinopathy, cataract, neuropathy, nephropathy and cardiomyopathy is also discussed. PMID:24634591

  11. Electrocardiogram and Imaging: An Integrated Approach to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Savino, Ketty; Bagliani, Giuseppe; Crusco, Federico; Padeletti, Margherita; Lombardi, Massimo

    2018-06-01

    Cardiovascular imaging has radically changed the management of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. This article focuses on the role of echocardiography and MRI in the diagnosis of these structural diseases. Cardiomyopathies with hypertrophic pattern (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathies, amyloidosis, Anderson-Fabry disease, and sarcoidosis), cardiomyopathies with dilated pattern, inflammatory cardiac diseases, and right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy are analyzed. Finally, anatomic predictors of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are discussed. Each paragraph is attended by clinical cases that are discussed on the electrocardiogram, after integrated with the anatomic, functional, and hemodynamic modifications of cardiovascular imaging. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Levosimendan reduces myocardial damage and improves cardiodynamics in streptozotocin induced diabetic cardiomyopathy via SERCA2a/NCX1 pathway.

    PubMed

    Akhtar, Md Sayeed; Pillai, Krishna Kolappa; Hassan, Md Quamrul; Dhyani, Neha; Ismail, Md Vasim; Najmi, Abul Kalam

    2016-05-15

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common causes of mortality. Its pathophysiology is not fully understood and involve number of factors including, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The present study was designed to study the pathogenesis of DCM and to explore the effects of levosimendan along with either ramipril or insulin in the long term management of DCM. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to develop DCM in Wistar rats at the dose of 25mg/kg body weight for three consecutive days. Rats were randomly divided into 9 groups and treatments were started after 2weeks of STZ administration. Persistent hyperglycemia was observed in STZ treated rats, leading to significant contractile dysfunction as evidenced by decreased left ventricular pressure (LVP), +LV (dp/dt), -LV (dp/dt) as well as elevated Tau and LVEDP. Marked myocardial damage such as fibrosis, increased wall tension, depletion of contractile proteins were observed as evidenced by increased levels of TGF-β, BNP, cTroponin-I, as well as decreased expression of SERCA2a and NCX1 proteins in diabetic rats. The levosimendan alone and also in combination with either ramipril or insulin significantly normalized the myocardial dysfunctions developed during the course of persistent hyperglycemia. The study suggests that levosimendan treatment improves cardiac dysfunction significantly. Its combined use with ramipril proves better than with insulin in correcting myocardial performance as well as reduction in myocardial damage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Guzzo-Merello, Gonzalo; Cobo-Marcos, Marta; Gallego-Delgado, Maria; Garcia-Pavia, Pablo

    2014-01-01

    Alcohol is the most frequently consumed toxic substance in the world. Low to moderate daily intake of alcohol has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In contrast, exposure to high levels of alcohol for a long period could lead to progressive cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction associated with chronic and excessive alcohol intake is a specific cardiac disease known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). In spite of its clinical importance, data on ACM and how alcohol damages the heart are limited. In this review, we evaluate available evidence linking excessive alcohol consumption with heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss the clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment of ACM. PMID:25228956

  14. Academic Skills in Children with Early-Onset Type 1 Diabetes: The Effects of Diabetes-Related Risk Factors

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hannonen, Riitta; Komulainen, Jorma; Riikonen, Raili; Ahonen, Timo; Eklund, Kenneth; Tolvanen, Asko; Keskinen, Paivi; Nuuja, Anja

    2012-01-01

    Aim: The study aimed to assess the effects of diabetes-related risk factors, especially severe hypoglycaemia, on the academic skills of children with early-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Method: The study comprised 63 children with T1DM (31 females, 32 males; mean age 9y 11mo, SD 4mo) and 92 comparison children without diabetes (40…

  15. High validity of cardiomyopathy diagnoses in western Sweden (1989-2009).

    PubMed

    Basic, Carmen; Rosengren, Annika; Lindström, Sandra; Schaufelberger, Maria

    2018-04-01

    Hospital discharges with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy have more than doubled in Sweden since 1987. We validated the cardiomyopathy diagnoses over this time period to investigate that the increase was real and not a result of improved recognition of the diagnosis and better diagnostic methods. Every fifth year from 1989 to 2009, records for all patients with a cardiomyopathy diagnosis were identified by searching the local registers in three hospitals in Västra Götaland, Sweden. The diagnoses were validated according to criteria defined by the European Society of Cardiology from 2008. The population comprised 611 cases with cardiomyopathy diagnoses [mean age 58.9 (SD 15.5) years, 68.2% male], divided into three major groups: dilated, hypertrophic, and other cardiomyopathies. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were analysed as a group. Cardiomyopathies for which there were few cases, such as restrictive, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, left ventricular non-compaction, takotsubo, and peripartum cardiomyopathies, were analysed together and defined as 'other cardiomyopathies'. Relevant co-morbidities were registered. The use of echocardiography was 99.7%, of which 94.6% was complete echocardiography reports. The accuracy rates of the diagnoses dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and other cardiomyopathies were 85.5%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively, with no differences between the three hospitals or years studied; nor did the prevalence of co-morbidities differ. The accuracy rate of the cardiomyopathy diagnoses from in-hospital records from >600 patients in western Sweden during a 20 year period was 86.6%, with no significant trend over time, strengthening epidemiological findings that this is likely due to an actual increase in cardiomyopathy diagnoses rather than changes in coding practices. The use of echocardiography was high, and there was no significant difference in co-morbidities during the study period

  16. Retinopathy predicts progression of fasting plasma glucose: An Early Diabetes Intervention Program (EDIP) Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Yash R.; Kirkman, M. Sue; Considine, Robert V; Hannon, Tamara S; Mather, Kieren J

    2017-01-01

    Background Retinopathy is increasingly recognized in prediabetic populations, and may herald increased risk of metabolic worsening. The Early Diabetes Intervention Program (EDIP) evaluated worsening of glycemia in screen-detected Type 2 diabetes, following participants for up to 5 years. Here we have evaluated whether the presence of retinopathy at the time of detection of diabetes was associated with accelerated progression of glycemia. Methods We prospectively studied 194 participants from EDIP with available baseline retinal photographs. Retinopathy was determined at baseline using 7-field fundus photography and defined as an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study Scale grading score of ≥20. Results At baseline, 12% of participants had classical retinal lesions indicating retinopathy. In univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the presence of retinopathy at baseline was associated with a doubled risk of progression of fasting plasma glucose (HR 2.02; 95% CI 1.05–3.89). The retinopathy effect was robust to individual adjustment for age and glucose, the most potent determinants of progression in EDIP. Conclusion Retinopathy was associated with increased risk of progression of fasting plasma glucose among adults with screen-detected, early diabetes. Early detection of retinopathy may help individualize more aggressive therapy to prevent progressive metabolic worsening in early diabetes. PMID:28003103

  17. Specific Intellectual Deficits in Children with Early Onset Diabetes Mellitus.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rovet, Joanne F.; And Others

    1988-01-01

    Compares 27 children with early onset diabetes (EOD) with 24 children with late onset diabetes (LOD) and 30 sibling controls in performance on tests of intellectual functioning and school achievement. Results revealed that duration of illness, age of onset, and hypoglycemic convulsions significantly predicted spatial ability. (Author/RWB)

  18. Treatment of Chagas Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Botoni, Fernando A.; Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz P.; Marinho, Carolina Coimbra; Lima, Marcia Maria Oliveira; Nunes, Maria do Carmo Pereira; Rocha, Manoel Otávio C.

    2013-01-01

    Chagas' disease (ChD), caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), was discovered and described by the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas in 1909. After a century of original description, trypanosomiasis still brings much misery to humanity and is classified as a neglected tropical disease prevalent in underdeveloped countries, particularly in South America. It is an increasing worldwide problem due to the number of cases in endemic areas and the migration of infected subjects to more developed regions, mainly North America and Europe. Despite its importance, chronic chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) pathophysiology is yet poorly understood, and independently of its social, clinical, and epidemiological importance, the therapeutic approach of CCC is still transposed from the knowledge acquired from other cardiomyopathies. Therefore, the objective of this review is to describe the treatment of Chagas cardiomyopathy with emphasis on its peculiarities. PMID:24350293

  19. Early Detection of Subclinical Uremic Cardiomyopathy Using Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Hassanin, Noha; Alkemary, Alkhateeb

    2016-04-01

    Overhydration has a deleterious effect on cardio myocytes. This study was designated to evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) using conventional, tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). Forty controls and 90 CKD patients, aged 49.3 ± 14 years old, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on their glomerular filtration rate. Group 1 (≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) ), group 2 (≤60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) ), and group 3 (≤60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and on regular dialysis for at least 12 months). Pulsed-Doppler and tissue Doppler studies were used to estimate LV filling pressure E/E'. Using 2DSTE, circumferential, radial, and longitudinal functions of the LV have been measured. LV longitudinal systolic strain, early, and late diastolic strain rates were significantly reduced in CKD patients (-16.9 ± 3.8%, 1.6 ± 0.5%, and 1.3 ± 0.4% in CKD vs. -22.5 ± 0.6%, 2.3 ± 0.2%, and 1.9 ± 0.1% in controls, P < 0.001 for all), and no difference was observed in terms of the circumferential LV functions (-22.4 ± 1.7 vs. -22.5 ± 1.4, P = 0.567). Severity of the kidney dysfunction appears to parallel with the rise of E/E' significantly (P < 0.001). In CKD, although the longitudinal and radial systolic functions were reduced, LV ejection fraction may remain within normal limits due to the preservation of the circumferential functions. Early detection of uremic cardiomyopathy might provide useful information for the risk stratification and decide the proper dialysis therapy in these patients. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. [Surgical revascularisation of the heart in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy and leftventricular ejection fraction of less than 30%].

    PubMed

    Velinović, Milos; Kocica, Mladen; Vranes, Mile; Mikić, Aleksandar; Vukomanović, Vlada; Davidović, Lazar; Obrenović-Krićanski, Biljana; Cvetkovic, Slobodan; Soski, Ljiljana; Ristić, Arsen D

    2005-01-01

    Patients suffering from chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) lower than 30% represent a difficult and controversial population for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of surgical treatment on the early and long-term outcome of these patients. The patient population comprised 50 patients with LVEF < 30% (78% male, mean age: 58.3 years, range: 42-75 years) who underwent surgical myocardial revascularisation during the period 1995-2000. Patients with left ventricular aneurysms or mitral valve insufficiency were excluded from the study. The following echocardiography parameters were evaluated as possible prognostic indicators: LVEF, fraction of shortening (FS), left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters (LVEDD, LVESD) and volumes (LVEDV, LVESV), as well as their indexed values (LVESVI). Fifteen patients (30%) died during the follow-up, 2/50 intraoperatively (4%). The presence of diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, main left coronary artery disease, and three-vessel disease, correlated significantly with the surgical outcomes. The patient's age, family history, smoking habits, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, history of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and renal failure, did not correlate with the mortality rate. A comparison of preoperative echocardiography parameters between survivors and non-survivors revealed significantly divergent LVEF, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEDV, LVESV, and LVESVI values. Preoperative LVESVI offered the highest predictive value (R = 0.595). Diabetes mellitus, history of myocardial infarction, stenosis of the main branch, and three-vessel disease, significantly affected the perioperative and long-term outcome of surgical revascularisation in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and LVEF < 30%. In survivors, LVEF, FS, and systolic and diastolic echocardiography parameters, as well as their indexed values, significantly improved after surgical

  1. Magnetic resonance imaging retinal oximetry: a quantitative physiological biomarker for early diabetic retinopathy?

    PubMed

    Yang, Y; Zhu, X R; Xu, Q G; Metcalfe, H; Wang, Z C; Yang, J K

    2012-04-01

    To assess the efficacy of using magnetic resonance imaging measurements of retinal oxygenation response to detect early diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted during 100% oxygen inhalation in patients with Type 2 diabetes with either no diabetic retinopathy (n = 12) or mild to moderate background diabetic retinopathy (n = 12), as well as in healthy control subjects (n = 12). Meanwhile, changes in retinal oxygenation response were measured. In the healthy control group, levels of retinal oxygenation response increased slowly during 100% oxygen inhalation. In contrast, they increased more quickly and attained homeostasis much earlier in the groups with background diabetic retinopathy (at the 20-min time point) and with no diabetic retinopathy (at the 25-min time point) than in the healthy control group (at the 42-min time point). Furthermore, levels of retinal oxygenation response in the group with background diabetic retinopathy increased more than that of the group with no diabetic retinopathy, which in turn increased more than that of the healthy control group. There are statistically significant differences between the group with background diabetic retinopathy and the healthy control group at 6-, 8-, 10-, 15-, 20- and 25-min time points (P < 0.05). According to the normal range of the healthy control group by setting fundus photography results as 'gold standard' in our research, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and receiver operating characteristic area for reporting the early indications of utility of diabetic retinopathy were 83.33%, 58.33%, 50%, 87.5% and 0.774, respectively. The results indicate that magnetic resonance imaging is a potential screening method and probably a quantitative physiological biomarker to find early diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes. © 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2011 Diabetes UK.

  2. Genetics Home Reference: familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... Savithri GR, Kumar MS, Narasimhan C, Nallari P. Molecular genetics of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). J Hum Genet. ... 5(11):747. Citation on PubMed Kimura A. Molecular genetics and pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. J Hum Genet. 2016 ...

  3. X-linked cardiomyopathy is heterogeneous

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wilson, M.J.; Sillence, D.O.; Mulley, J.C.

    Two major loci of X-linked cardiomyopathy have been mapped by linkage analysis. The gene for X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy (XLCM) is mapped to the dystrophin locus at Xp21, while Barth syndrome has been localised to distal Xq28. XLCM usually presents in juvenile males with no skeletal disease but decreased dystrophin in cardiac muscle. Barth syndrome most often presents in infants and is characterized by skeletal myopathy, short stature and neutropenia in association with cardiomyopathy of variable severity. Prior to carrier or prenatal diagnosis in a family, delineation of the cardiomyopathy locus involved is essential. We report the linkage mapping of amore » large kindred in which several male infants have died with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There is a family history of unexplained death of infant males less than 6 months old over 4 generations. Features of Barth syndrome such as short stature, skeletal myopathy and neutropenia have not been observed. Genotyping at 10 marker loci in Xq28 has revealed significant pairwise lod scores with the cardiomyopathy phenotype at DXS52 (Z=2.21 at {theta}=0.0), at markers p26 and p39 near DXS15 (Z=2.30 at {theta}=0.0) and at F8C (Z=2.24 at {theta}=0.0). A recombinant detected with DXS296 defines the proximal limit to the localization. No recombinants were detected at any of the loci distal to DXS296. The most distal marker in Xq28, DXS1108, is within 500 kb of the telomere. As the gene in this family is localized to Xq28, it is possible that this disorder is an allelic variant at the Barth syndrome locus.« less

  4. Selenium: a brief review and a case report of selenium responsive cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background The authors review the role of selenium and highlight possible low selenium levels in soil that may result in deficient states in Saudi Arabia. Case presentation The authors report a case of selenium-responsive cardiomyopathy in a 15-month old Saudi Arabian boy. This case of selenium deficiency causing dilated cardiomyopathy is presented with failure to thrive, prolonged fever and respiratory distress. The investigations revealed selenium deficiency. Selenium supplementation along with anti-failure therapy [Furosimide, Captopril] was administered for 6 months. Following therapy the cardiac function, hair, skin and the general health of the patient improved significantly. Conclusion The patient with dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology, not responding to usual medication may be deficient in selenium. Serum selenium measurements should be included in the diagnostic work-up to ensure early detection and treatment of the disease. The selenium level in the Saudi population needs be determined. Vulnerable populations have to undergo regular selenium measurements and supplementation if indicated. Dependence on processed foods suggests that the Saudi population fortify themselves with nutrient and micronutrient supplements in accordance to the RDA. PMID:23530936

  5. Inhibition of the adrenomedullin/nitric oxide signaling pathway in early diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Blom, Jan J; Giove, Thomas J; Favazza, Tara L; Akula, James D; Eldred, William D

    2011-06-01

    The nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway is integrally involved in visual processing and changes in the NO pathway are measurable in eyes of diabetic patients. The small peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) can activate a signaling pathway to increase the enzyme activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). ADM levels are elevated in eyes of diabetic patients and therefore, ADM may play a role in the pathology of diabetic retinopathy. The goal of this research was to test the effects of inhibiting the ADM/NO signaling pathway in early diabetic retinopathy. Inhibition of this pathway decreased NO production in high-glucose retinal cultures. Treating diabetic mice with the PKC β inhibitor ruboxistaurin for 5 weeks lowered ADM mRNA levels and ADM-like immunoreactivity and preserved retinal function as assessed by electroretinography. The results of this study indicate that inhibiting the ADM/NO signaling pathway prevents neuronal pathology and functional losses in early diabetic retinopathy.

  6. LC3 and p62 as diagnostic markers of drug-induced autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy: a study of 3 cases.

    PubMed

    Daniels, Brianne H; McComb, Rodney D; Mobley, Bret C; Gultekin, Sakir Humayun; Lee, Han S; Margeta, Marta

    2013-07-01

    Autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy is an underrecognized, but potentially fatal, complication of treatment with chloroquine (CQ) and its derivative hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which are used as therapy for malaria and common connective tissue disorders. Currently, the diagnosis of autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy is established through an endomyocardial biopsy and requires electron microscopy, which is not widely available and has a significant potential for sampling error. Recently, we have reported that immunohistochemistry for autophagic markers LC3 and p62 can replace electron microscopy in the diagnosis of HCQ-induced and colchicine-induced autophagic vacuolar skeletal myopathies. In the current study, we use 3 cases of CQ-induced or HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy and 1 HCQ-treated control case to show that the same two markers can be used to diagnose autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathies by light microscopy. CQ-induced or HCQ-induced autophagic vacuolar cardiomyopathy is not universally fatal, but successful treatment requires early detection. By lowering the barriers to diagnosis, the application of these immunohistochemical markers will decrease the number of misdiagnosed patients, thus increasing the likelihood of favorable clinical outcomes.

  7. Restrictive cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... People with restrictive cardiomyopathy may be heart transplant candidates. The outlook depends on the cause of the ... www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. ...

  8. The mitochondrial ND1 m.3337G>A mutation associated to multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in a patient with Wolfram syndrome and cardiomyopathy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mezghani, Najla; Mnif, Mouna; Mkaouar-Rebai, Emna, E-mail: emna_mkaouar@mail2world.com

    Highlights: {yields} We reported a patient with Wolfram syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy. {yields} We detected the ND1 mitochondrial m.3337G>A mutation in 3 tested tissues (blood leukocytes, buccal mucosa and skeletal muscle). {yields} Long-range PCR amplification revealed the presence of multiple mitochondrial deletions in the skeletal muscle. {yields} The deletions remove several tRNA and protein-coding genes. -- Abstract: Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is a rare hereditary disorder also known as DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness). It is a heterogeneous disease and full characterization of all clinical and biological features of this disorder is difficult. The wide spectrum ofmore » clinical expression, affecting several organs and tissues, and the similarity in phenotype between patients with Wolfram syndrome and those with certain types of respiratory chain diseases suggests mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) involvement in Wolfram syndrome patients. We report a Tunisian patient with clinical features of moderate Wolfram syndrome including diabetes, dilated cardiomyopathy and neurological complications. The results showed the presence of the mitochondrial ND1 m.3337G>A mutation in almost homoplasmic form in 3 tested tissues of the proband (blood leukocytes, buccal mucosa and skeletal muscle). In addition, the long-range PCR amplifications revealed the presence of multiple deletions of the mitochondrial DNA extracted from the patient's skeletal muscle removing several tRNA and protein-coding genes. Our study reported a Tunisian patient with clinical features of moderate Wolfram syndrome associated with cardiomyopathy, in whom we detected the ND1 m.3337G>A mutation with mitochondrial multiple deletions.« less

  9. Exercise Prevents Cardiac Injury and Improves Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Advanced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy with PGC-1α and Akt Activation.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hui; Bei, Yihua; Lu, Yan; Sun, Wei; Liu, Qi; Wang, Yalong; Cao, Yujie; Chen, Ping; Xiao, Junjie; Kong, Xiangqing

    2015-01-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the major cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetics. Exercise has been reported to be effective to protect the heart from cardiac injury during the development of DCM. However, the potential cardioprotective effect of exercise in advanced DCM remains unclear. Seven-week old male C57BL/6 wild-type or db/db mice were either subjected to a running exercise program for 15 weeks or kept sedentary. Cardiac function, myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis, and mitochondrial biogenesis were examined for evaluation of cardiac injury. A reduction in ejection fraction and fractional shortening in db/db mice was significantly reversed by exercise training. DCM induced remarkable cardiomyocyte apoptosis and increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 at the protein level. Meanwhile, DCM caused slightly myocardial fibrosis with elevated mRNA levels of collagen I and collagen III. Also, DCM resulted in a reduction of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication and transcription, together with reduced mtDNA content and impaired mitochondrial ultrastructure. All of these changes could be abolished by exercise training. Furthermore, DCM-associated inhibition of PGC-1α and Akt signaling was significantly activated by exercise, indicating that exercise-induced activation of PGC-1α and Akt signaling might be responsible for mediating cardioprotective effect of exercise in DCM. Exercise preserves cardiac function, prevents myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis in the late stage of DCM. Exercise-induced activation of PGC-1α and Akt signaling might be promising therapeutic targets for advanced DCM. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  10. High validity of cardiomyopathy diagnoses in western Sweden (1989–2009)

    PubMed Central

    Rosengren, Annika; Lindström, Sandra; Schaufelberger, Maria

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Aim Hospital discharges with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy have more than doubled in Sweden since 1987. We validated the cardiomyopathy diagnoses over this time period to investigate that the increase was real and not a result of improved recognition of the diagnosis and better diagnostic methods. Methods and results Every fifth year from 1989 to 2009, records for all patients with a cardiomyopathy diagnosis were identified by searching the local registers in three hospitals in Västra Götaland, Sweden. The diagnoses were validated according to criteria defined by the European Society of Cardiology from 2008. The population comprised 611 cases with cardiomyopathy diagnoses [mean age 58.9 (SD 15.5) years, 68.2% male], divided into three major groups: dilated, hypertrophic, and other cardiomyopathies. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were analysed as a group. Cardiomyopathies for which there were few cases, such as restrictive, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, left ventricular non‐compaction, takotsubo, and peripartum cardiomyopathies, were analysed together and defined as ‘other cardiomyopathies’. Relevant co‐morbidities were registered. The use of echocardiography was 99.7%, of which 94.6% was complete echocardiography reports. The accuracy rates of the diagnoses dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and other cardiomyopathies were 85.5%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively, with no differences between the three hospitals or years studied; nor did the prevalence of co‐morbidities differ. Conclusions The accuracy rate of the cardiomyopathy diagnoses from in‐hospital records from >600 patients in western Sweden during a 20 year period was 86.6%, with no significant trend over time, strengthening epidemiological findings that this is likely due to an actual increase in cardiomyopathy diagnoses rather than changes in coding practices. The use of echocardiography was high, and there was no

  11. Can overt diabetes mellitus be predicted by an early A1C value in gestational diabetics?

    PubMed

    Granada, Catalina; Forbes, Joanna; Sangi-Haghpeykar, Haleh; Davidson, Christina

    2014-01-01

    To test the hypothesis that a hemoglobin A1C value (A1C) in early pregnancy is predictive of overt diabetes mellitus (DM) postpartum in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). In this case-control analysis of women with an early pregnancy diagnosis of GDM, we estimated the association between an early pregnancy A1C and subsequent diagnosis of DM. Women with a normal postpartum diabetic screen (controls) were compared against those with confirmed postpartum DM (cases). Ability of A1C levels to predict DM was examined via logistic regression analysis and corresponding receiver operating characteristic values. During the 10-year study period 166 women met the inclusion criteria: 140 (84%) had normal postpartum testing (controls), and 26 (16%) were diagnosed with DM (cases). The mean A1C value was significantly higher among cases than controls (6.7 vs. 5.6, p < 0.0001, SD 1.3-5). Cases had A1Cs ranging from 5.5- 11.7%, while controls had A1Cs ranging from 4.3-7.8%. The best discriminatory cut point for postpartum DM was an A1C > 5.9% (sensitivity 81%, specificity 83%, positive predictive value 47%, negative predictive value Our findings suggest that an elevated early pregnancy A1C may be predictive of overt DM. Larger studies are needed to further validate this association.

  12. Benefit Finding, Affective Reactions to Diabetes Stress, and Diabetes Management among Early Adolescents

    PubMed Central

    Tran, Vincent; Wiebe, Deborah J.; Fortenberry, Katherine T.; Butler, Jorie M.; Berg, Cynthia A.

    2011-01-01

    Objective To examine whether benefit finding was associated with better adjustment among adolescents with diabetes by buffering negative affective reactions to diabetes stress and by promoting positive affective reactions. Design Early adolescents aged 10-14 with type 1 diabetes (n=252) described recent diabetes stressors, affective reactions, and perceived coping effectiveness. They also completed measures of benefit finding, depressive symptoms, and adherence. Metabolic control (i.e., HbA1c) was obtained from medical records. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were perceived coping effectiveness, depressive symptoms, adherence, and HbA1c. Results Benefit finding was associated with lower depressive symptoms, higher perceived coping effectiveness and better adherence, and with higher positive as well as negative affective reactions to diabetes stress. Benefit finding interacted with negative affective reactions to predict depressive symptoms and HbA1c. Negative affective reactions to stress were associated with poorer adjustment among those with low benefit finding, but were unrelated or more weakly related to poor adjustment among those with high benefit finding. Positive affective reactions did not mediate associations between benefit finding and any outcome. Conclusions Consistent with a stress-buffering process, benefit finding may be a resource that buffers the disruptive aspects of negative affective reactions to stress for adolescents’ diabetes management. PMID:21401255

  13. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC/D): A Systematic Literature Review

    PubMed Central

    Romero, Jorge; Mejia-Lopez, Eliany; Manrique, Carlos; Lucariello, Richard

    2013-01-01

    Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy (CM) usually transmitted with an autosomal dominant pattern. It primary affects the right ventricle (RV), but may involve the left ventricle (LV) and culminate in biventricular heart failure (HF), life threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It accounts for 11%–22% of cases of SCD in the young athlete population. Pathologically is characterized by myocardial atrophy, fibrofatty replacement and chamber dilation. Diagnosis is often difficult due to the nonspecific nature of the disease and the broad spectrum of phenotypic variations. Therefore consensus diagnostic criteria have been developed and combined electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and myocardial biopsy. Early detection, family screening and risk stratification are the cornerstones in the diagnostic evaluation. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, ablative procedures and heart transplantation are currently the main therapeutic options. PMID:23761986

  14. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Santos Mateo, Juan José; Sabater Molina, María; Gimeno Blanes, Juan Ramón

    2018-06-08

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common inherited cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by increased ventricular wall thickness and is highly complex due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation, several phenotypes, large number of associated causal mutations and broad spectrum of complications. It is caused by mutations in sarcomeric proteins, which are identified in up to 60% of cases of the disease. Clinical manifestations of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations and syncope, which are related to the onset of diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, ischemia, atrial fibrillation and abnormal vascular responses. It is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, heart failure and thromboembolic events. In this article, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  15. Neonates of diabetic mothers: The starting point for developing novel therapeutic approaches to ischemic heart and brain?

    PubMed

    Mormile, Raffaella

    2016-11-01

    Diabetes mellitus represents the most common medical condition causing complications during pregnancy. However, there is still some controversy surrounding complications. Maternal hyperglycemia leads to fetal hyperglycemia. Offspring of diabetic mothers compensate excess glucose concentrations by producing higher levels of insulin causing transient hyperinsulinemia. Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk for congenital cardiac malformations, of which 40% are with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, regardless of severity, cardiac hypertrophy is transient with echocardiographic resolution within the first months after birth. Neonates of diabetic mothers are more likely to suffer from macrosomia that predisposes the infant to birth asphyxia brain damage. However, there is no evidence for an increase in the incidence of brain injury from perinatal asphyxia in macrosomic babies of diabetic mothers in comparison to macrosomic newborns of non-diabetic mothers. We hypothesize that infants of diabetic mother may represent the starting point for developing novel approaches to the treatment and prevention of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, AMI and stroke at every age. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Genetics Home Reference: arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... Email Facebook Twitter Home Health Conditions ARVC Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy Printable PDF Open All Close All ... to view the expand/collapse boxes. Description Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy ( ARVC ) is a form of heart ...

  17. Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Related to Recurrent Thyrotoxicosis.

    PubMed

    Patel, Keval; Griffing, George T; Hauptman, Paul J; Stolker, Joshua M

    2016-04-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, is characterized by acute left ventricular dysfunction caused by transient wall-motion abnormalities of the left ventricular apex and mid ventricle in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Recurrent episodes are rare but have been reported, and several cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy have been described in the presence of hyperthyroidism. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who had recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy, documented by repeat coronary angiography and evaluations of left ventricular function, in the presence of recurrent hyperthyroidism related to Graves disease. After both episodes, the patient's left ventricular function returned to normal when her thyroid function normalized. These findings suggest a possible role of thyroid-hormone excess in the pathophysiology of some patients who have takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

  18. Characterization of Tako-tsubo Cardiomyopathy in Spain: Results from the RETAKO National Registry.

    PubMed

    Núñez Gil, Iván J; Andrés, Mireia; Almendro Delia, Manuel; Sionis, Alessandro; Martín, Ana; Bastante, Teresa; Córdoba Soriano, Juan Gabriel; Linares Vicente, José A; González Sucarrats, Silvia; Sánchez-Grande Flecha, Alejandro

    2015-06-01

    The etiology and epidemiology of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy remain uncertain. The symptoms of this condition are often similar to those of myocardial infarction and, although it usually has a good prognosis, it is not without complications. Our aim was to characterize this disease in our setting using a dedicated registry (Spanish REgistry for TAKOtsubo cardiomyopathy). The prospective registry included 202 incident patients in 23 hospitals from 2012 to 2013. The patients' clinical characteristics and analytical, echocardiographic, and imaging results were recorded, as were the events during follow-up. Patients were included when the attending physician considered the case proven, and incidence was calculated relative to the catheterizations requested for a presumptive diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. The patients were predominantly women (90%), with a mean age of 70 years, and many had cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension (67%), dyslipidemia (41%), diabetes mellitus (15%), and smoking (15%). The incidence of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy was 1.2%, and there was no clear weekly or seasonal distribution pattern. Chest pain was the predominant symptom, a triggering factor (emotional, physical, or both) was present in 72%, and most patients consulted within the first 6h after symptom onset. The median duration of hospitalization was 7 days. There were heart failure symptoms in 34.0%, arrhythmia in 26.7%, and 2.4% of patients died. The incidence of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is low. This disease primarily affects postmenopausal women, and occurs after a situation of emotional stress in more than half of affected individuals. It is characterized by anginal pain, shows no seasonal distribution, and has a good prognosis, although it is not without morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  19. Atorvastatin Alleviates Experimental Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Regulating the GSK-3β-PP2Ac-NF-κB Signaling Axis

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Wen; Luo, Jie; Ye, Peng; Chen, Shao-liang; Hu, Zuo-ying

    2016-01-01

    Recent studies reported that atorvastatin (ATOR) alleviated progression of experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), possibly by protecting against apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of this protective effect remain unclear. Therefore, our study investigated the role of the glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β-protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A)-NF-κB signaling pathway in the anti-apoptotic and cardioprotective effects of ATOR on cardiomyocytes cultured in high glucose (HG) and in DCM. Our results showed that, in HG-cultured cardiomyocytes, phosphorylation of GSK-3β was decreased, while that of the PP2A catalytic subunit C (PP2Ac) and IKK/IкBα was increased, followed by NF-кB nuclear translocation and apoptosis. IKK/IкBα phosphorylation and NF-кB nuclear translocation were also increased by treatment of cells with okadaic acid (OA), a selective PP2A inhibitor, or by silencing PP2Ac expression. The opposite results were obtained by silencing GSK-3β expression, which resulted in PP2Ac activation. Furthermore, IKK/IкBα phosphorylation and NF-кB nuclear translocation were markedly inhibited and apoptosis attenuated in cells treated with ATOR. These effects occurred through inactivation of GSK-3β and subsequent activation of PP2Ac. They were abolished by treatment of cells with OA or PP2Ac siRNA. In mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus, treatment with ATOR, at 10 mg-kg−1-d−1, significantly suppressed GSK-3β activation, IKK/IкBα phosphorylation, NF-кB nuclear translocation and caspase-3 activation, while also activating PP2Ac. Finally, improvements in histological abnormalities, fibrosis, apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction were observed in diabetic mice treated with ATOR. These findings demonstrated that ATOR protected against HG-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and alleviated experimental DCM by regulating the GSK-3β-PP2A-NF-κB signaling pathway. PMID:27851811

  20. Exome Sequencing Establishes Diagnosis of Alström Syndrome in an Infant Presenting with Non-Syndromic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Long, Pamela A.; Evans, Jared M.; Olson, Timothy M.

    2015-01-01

    Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a heritable, genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by progressive heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy typically exhibits autosomal dominant inheritance, yet frequently remains clinically silent until adulthood. We sought to discover the molecular basis of idiopathic, non-syndromic dilated cardiomyopathy in a one-month-old male presenting with severe heart failure. Previous comprehensive testing of blood, urine, and skin biopsy specimen was negative for metabolic, mitochondrial, storage, and infectious etiologies. Ophthalmologic examination was normal. Chromosomal microarray and commercial dilated cardiomyopathy gene panel testing failed to identify a causative mutation. Parental screening echocardiograms revealed no evidence of clinically silent dilated cardiomyopathy. Whole exome sequencing was carried out on the family trio on a research basis, filtering for rare, deleterious, recessive and de novo genetic variants. Pathogenic compound heterozygous truncating mutations were identified in ALMS1, diagnostic of Alström syndrome and prompting disclosure of genetic findings. Alström syndrome is a known cause for dilated cardiomyopathy in children yet delayed and mis-diagnosis are common owing to its rarity and age-dependent emergence of multisystem clinical manifestations. At six months of age the patient ultimately developed bilateral nystagmus and hyperopia, features characteristic of the syndrome. Early diagnosis is guiding clinical monitoring of other organ systems and allowing for presymptomatic intervention. Furthermore, recognition of recessive inheritance as the mechanism for sporadic disease has informed family planning. This case highlights a limitation of standard gene testing panels for pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy and exemplifies the potential for whole exome sequencing to solve a diagnostic dilemma and enable personalized care. PMID:25706677

  1. Clinical and Mechanistic Insights into the Genetics of Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Burke, Michael A.; Cook, Stuart A.; Seidman, Jonathan G.; Seidman, Christine E.

    2018-01-01

    Over the last quarter-century, there has been tremendous progress in genetics research that has defined molecular causes for cardiomyopathies. More than a thousand mutations have been identified in many genes with varying ontologies, therein indicating the diverse molecules and pathways that cause hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. Translation of this research to the clinic via genetic testing can precisely group affected patients according to molecular etiology, and identify individuals without evidence of disease who are at high risk for developing cardiomyopathy. These advances provide insights into the earliest manifestations of cardiomyopathy and help to define the molecular pathophysiological basis for cardiac remodeling. Although these efforts remain incomplete, new genomic technologies and analytic strategies provide unparalleled opportunities to fully explore the genetic architecture of cardiomyopathies. Such data hold the promise that mutation-specific pathophysiology will uncover novel therapeutic targets, and herald the beginning of precision therapy for cardiomyopathy patients. PMID:28007147

  2. Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation

    MedlinePlus

    ... search for cures while improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for children affected by cardiomyopathy. CCF actively works with federal agencies, medical societies, voluntary health organizations, ...

  3. A rare but important adverse effect of tacrolimus in a heart transplant recipient: diabetic ketoacidosis.

    PubMed

    Öztürk, Zeynelabidin; Gönç, E Nazlı; Akcan, Leman; Kesici, Selman; Ertuğrul, İlker; Bayrakçı, Benan

    2015-01-01

    Heart transplantation indications in pediatric population include congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathies and retransplants. Cardiomyopathy is the primary indication for 11 to 17 years of age. The surveillance after transplantation is a very important issue because of both the rejection risk and the adverse effects due to medications after transplantation. Immunosuppressive agents that are commonly used after heart transplantations have several toxicities. Here we present an adolescent patient diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, performed heart transplantation, treated with tacrolimus and suffered from diabetic ketoacidosis due to tacrolimus. After the diagnosis was made the appropriate fluid and insulin therapy was started immediately and ketoacidosis resolved in the first 24 hours of the therapy. The diagnosis revised as new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation and the tacrolimus dosage titrated to therapeutic level. After glycemic control the patient discharged with rapid acting insulin, three times daily, before meals; and long acting insulin once daily at night. In ten month follow up time the insulin dosages were progressively reduced.

  4. Cardiomyopathy in becker muscular dystrophy: Overview.

    PubMed

    Ho, Rady; Nguyen, My-Le; Mather, Paul

    2016-06-26

    Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder involving mutations of the dystrophin gene. Cardiac involvement in BMD has been described and cardiomyopathy represents the number one cause of death in these patients. In this paper, the pathophysiology, clinical evaluations and management of cardiomyopathy in patients with BMD will be discussed.

  5. High Frequency QRS ECG Accurately Detects Cardiomyopathy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schlegel, Todd T.; Arenare, Brian; Poulin, Gregory; Moser, Daniel R.; Delgado, Reynolds

    2005-01-01

    High frequency (HF, 150-250 Hz) analysis over the entire QRS interval of the ECG is more sensitive than conventional ECG for detecting myocardial ischemia. However, the accuracy of HF QRS ECG for detecting cardiomyopathy is unknown. We obtained simultaneous resting conventional and HF QRS 12-lead ECGs in 66 patients with cardiomyopathy (EF = 23.2 plus or minus 6.l%, mean plus or minus SD) and in 66 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using PC-based ECG software recently developed at NASA. The single most accurate ECG parameter for detecting cardiomyopathy was an HF QRS morphological score that takes into consideration the total number and severity of reduced amplitude zones (RAZs) present plus the clustering of RAZs together in contiguous leads. This RAZ score had an area under the receiver operator curve (ROC) of 0.91, and was 88% sensitive, 82% specific and 85% accurate for identifying cardiomyopathy at optimum score cut-off of 140 points. Although conventional ECG parameters such as the QRS and QTc intervals were also significantly longer in patients than controls (P less than 0.001, BBBs excluded), these conventional parameters were less accurate (area under the ROC = 0.77 and 0.77, respectively) than HF QRS morphological parameters for identifying underlying cardiomyopathy. The total amplitude of the HF QRS complexes, as measured by summed root mean square voltages (RMSVs), also differed between patients and controls (33.8 plus or minus 11.5 vs. 41.5 plus or minus 13.6 mV, respectively, P less than 0.003), but this parameter was even less accurate in distinguishing the two groups (area under ROC = 0.67) than the HF QRS morphologic and conventional ECG parameters. Diagnostic accuracy was optimal (86%) when the RAZ score from the HF QRS ECG and the QTc interval from the conventional ECG were used simultaneously with cut-offs of greater than or equal to 40 points and greater than or equal to 445 ms, respectively. In conclusion 12-lead HF QRS ECG employing

  6. Phoenix dactylifera seeds ameliorate early diabetic complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Abdelaziz, Dalia H A; Ali, Sahar A; Mostafa, Mahmoud M A

    2015-06-01

    In Arabic folk medicine, the seeds of Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae) have been used to manage diabetes for many years. Few studies have reported the antidiabetic effect of P. dactylifera seeds; however, their effect on diabetic complications is still unexplored. The present study investigates the protective effect of P. dactylifera seeds against diabetic complications in rats. The aqueous suspension of P. dactylifera seeds (aqPDS) (1 g/kg/d) was orally administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 4 weeks. The serum biochemical parameters were assessed spectrophotometrically. Furthermore, oxidative stress was examined in both liver and kidney tissues by assessment of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase, and catalase. Oral administration of aqPDS significantly ameliorated the elevated levels of glucose (248 ± 42 versus 508 ± 60 mg/dl), urea (32 ± 3.3 versus 48.3 ± 5.6 mg/dl), creatinine (2.2 ± 0.35 versus 3.8 ± 0.37 mg/dl), ALT (29.6 ± 3.9 versus 46.4 ± 5.9 IU/l), and AST (73.3 ± 13 versus 127.8 ± 18.7 IU/l) compared with the untreated diabetic rats. In addition to significant augmentation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, there was reduction in TBARS and NO levels and improvement of histopathological architecture of the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. The aqPDS showed potential protective effects against early diabetic complications of both liver and kidney. This effect may be explained by the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capabilities of P. dactylifera seeds.

  7. Molecular profiling of dilated cardiomyopathy that progresses to heart failure

    PubMed Central

    Burke, Michael A.; Chang, Stephen; Wakimoto, Hiroko; Gorham, Joshua M.; Conner, David A.; Christodoulou, Danos C.; Parfenov, Michael G.; DePalma, Steve R.; Eminaga, Seda; Konno, Tetsuo; Seidman, Jonathan G.; Seidman, Christine E.

    2016-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined by progressive functional and structural changes. We performed RNA-seq at different stages of disease to define molecular signaling in the progression from pre-DCM hearts to DCM and overt heart failure (HF) using a genetic model of DCM (phospholamban missense mutation, PLNR9C/+). Pre-DCM hearts were phenotypically normal yet displayed proliferation of nonmyocytes (59% relative increase vs. WT, P = 8 × 10–4) and activation of proinflammatory signaling with notable cardiomyocyte-specific induction of a subset of profibrotic cytokines including TGFβ2 and TGFβ3. These changes progressed through DCM and HF, resulting in substantial fibrosis (17.6% of left ventricle [LV] vs. WT, P = 6 × 10–33). Cardiomyocytes displayed a marked shift in metabolic gene transcription: downregulation of aerobic respiration and subsequent upregulation of glucose utilization, changes coincident with attenuated expression of PPARα and PPARγ coactivators -1α (PGC1α) and -1β, and increased expression of the metabolic regulator T-box transcription factor 15 (Tbx15). Comparing DCM transcriptional profiles with those in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) revealed similar and distinct molecular mechanisms. Our data suggest that cardiomyocyte-specific cytokine expression, early fibroblast activation, and the shift in metabolic gene expression are hallmarks of cardiomyopathy progression. Notably, key components of these profibrotic and metabolic networks were disease specific and distinguish DCM from HCM. PMID:27239561

  8. Cardiomyopathy in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

    PubMed

    Raymond, J T; Garner, M M

    2000-09-01

    From 1994 to 1999, 16 captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), from among 42 necropsy cases, were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiomyopathy in this study population was 38%. Fourteen of 16 hedgehogs with cardiomyopathy were males and all hedgehogs were adult (>1 year old). Nine hedgehogs exhibited 1 or more of the following clinical signs before death: heart murmur, lethargy, icterus, moist rales, anorexia, dyspnea, dehydration, and weight loss. The remaining 7 hedgehogs died without premonitory clinical signs. Gross findings were cardiomegaly (6 cases), hepatomegaly (5 cases), pulmonary edema (5 cases), pulmonary congestion (4 cases), hydrothorax (3 cases), pulmonary infarct (1 case), renal infarcts (1 case), ascites (1 case), and 5 cases showed no changes. Histologic lesions were found mainly within the left ventricular myocardium and consisted primarily of myodegeneration, myonecrosis, atrophy, hypertrophy, and disarray of myofibers. All hedgehogs with cardiomyopathy had myocardial fibrosis, myocardial edema, or both. Other common histopathologic findings were acute and chronic passive congestion of the lungs, acute passive congestion of the liver, renal tubular necrosis, vascular thrombosis, splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, and hepatic lipidosis. This is the first report of cardiomyopathy in African hedgehogs.

  9. Cardiomyopathy in becker muscular dystrophy: Overview

    PubMed Central

    Ho, Rady; Nguyen, My-Le; Mather, Paul

    2016-01-01

    Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder involving mutations of the dystrophin gene. Cardiac involvement in BMD has been described and cardiomyopathy represents the number one cause of death in these patients. In this paper, the pathophysiology, clinical evaluations and management of cardiomyopathy in patients with BMD will be discussed. PMID:27354892

  10. Renin-Angiotensin System in Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Rein, Johannes; Bader, Michael

    2017-11-17

    The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has two different axes, the classical one with the effector peptide angiotensin II and the new one with the effector peptide angiotensin (1-7). Both peptides have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its consequences, nephropathy, retinopathy and cardiomyopathy in animal models and patients. In diabetes, angiotensin II acts mostly deleterious and angiotensin (1-7) protective. In this review we summarize the knowledge about the role of the different RAS axes in diabetes mellitus and the use of drugs interfering with the RAS in the therapy of the disease. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  11. Ginkgo biloba Extract for Patients with Early Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Lei; Mao, Wei; Guo, Xinfeng; Wu, Yifan; Li, Chuang; Lu, Zhaoyu; Su, Guobin; Li, Xiaoyan; Liu, Zhuangzhu; Guo, Rong; Jie, Xina; Wen, Zehuai; Liu, Xusheng

    2013-01-01

    Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a Ginkgo biloba extract for patients with early diabetic nephropathy. Methods. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted on adults with early diabetic nephropathy which used Gingko biloba extract were included. The major databases were searched, and manufacturers of Gingko biloba products were contacted for information on any published or unpublished studies. Two authors independently extracted the data from the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.0 software. Results. Sixteen RCTs were included. Ginkgo biloba extract decreased the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum creatinine (SCR), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The extract also improved hemorheology. The methodological quality in the included studies was low. The explicit generation of the allocation sequence was described in only 6 trials. None of the included trials were confirmed to use blinding. Three studies had observed adverse events. One study using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) reported mild cough in both groups. No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusions. Gingko biloba extract is a valuable drug which has prospect in treating early diabetic nephropathy, especially with high UAER baseline level. The safety for early diabetic nephropathy is uncertain. Long-term, double-blinded RCTs with large sample sizes are still needed to provide stronger evidence. PMID:23533513

  12. Feline cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Liu, S K; Tilley, L P; Lord, P F

    1975-01-01

    Cardiology was diagnosed by means of clinical, radiographic, electrocardiographic phonocardiographic, angiocardiographic, and pathological findings in 271 or 3,745 cats necropsied from January 1962 to April 1974. The affected cats can be divided into three groups on the basis of the gross and microscopic pathological lesions: 1)endocarditis and myocarditis in 20 young cats; 2)endomyocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in 182 cats; and 3)myocardial degeneration and biventricular dilatation in 69 cats. Of 271 affected cats, thromboembolus was observed in the aorta, and in the carotid, femoral, iliac, renal, pulmonary, and hepatic arteries in 104 instances. The important aspects of cardiomyopathy in cats appears to be the reduced diastolic compliance of the thick left ventricle, resulting in poor fillin. Resistance to ventricular inflow raises the diastolic pressure and causes compensatory left atrial enlargement. A pathogenesis for the onset of clinical signs at any stages as the cause of the heart disease is postulated on the basis of stress causing tachycardia and poor left ventricular filling. Acute left-sided failure with pulmonary edema may be precipitated. Approximately one-fourth of the cats have enlargement of all cardiac chambers, typical of congestive cardiomyopathy. On the basis of the close similarily to cardiomyopathy in man, the cat could serve as a suitable animal model for a conservation of time and effort in the attack against this disorder. There is a need for coordinated research programs for utilizing the multiple avenues of approach such as: epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, pathological, ultrastructural, virological, and immunological.

  13. Recent advances in biosensor technology in assessment of early diabetes biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Salek-Maghsoudi, Armin; Vakhshiteh, Faezeh; Torabi, Raheleh; Hassani, Shokoufeh; Ganjali, Mohammad Reza; Norouzi, Parviz; Hosseini, Morteza; Abdollahi, Mohammad

    2018-01-15

    Discovery of biosensors has acquired utmost importance in the field of healthcare. Recent advances in biological techniques and instrumentation involving nanomaterials, surface plasmon resonance, and aptasensors have developed innovative biosensors over classical methods. Integrated approaches provided a better perspective for developing specific and sensitive devices with wide potential applications. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex disease affecting almost every tissue and organ system, with metabolic complications extending far beyond impaired glucose metabolism. Although there is no known cure for Type 2 diabetes, early diagnosis and interventions are critical to prevent this disease and can postpone or even prevent the serious complications that are associated with diabetes. Biomarkers for type 2 diabetes are useful for prediction and intervention of the disease at earlier stages. Proper selection of biomarkers that represent health and disease states is vital for disease diagnosis and treatment by detecting it before it manifests. In this respect, we provide an overview of different types of biosensors being used, ranging from electrochemical, fluorescence-based, nanomonitors, SPR-based, and field-effect transistor biosensors for early detection and management of diabetes with focus on prediabetes. In the future, novel non-invasive technologies combined with blood and tissue-based biomarkers will enable the detection, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications long before overt disease develops. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of signalment, presentation and clinical findings in 369 cases.

    PubMed

    Martin, M W S; Stafford Johnson, M J; Celona, B

    2009-01-01

    To review the clinical and diagnostic findings and survival of dilated cardiomyopathy from a large population of dogs in England. A retrospective study of the case records of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy collected between January 1993 and May 2006. There were 369 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy of which all were pure-bred dogs except for four. The most commonly affected breeds were dobermanns and boxers. Over 95 per cent of dogs weighed more than 15 kg and 73 per cent were male. The median duration of signs before referral was three weeks with 65 per cent presenting in stage 3 heart failure. The most common signs were breathlessness (67 per cent) and coughing (64 per cent). The majority of dogs (89 per cent) had an arrhythmia at presentation and 74 per cent of dogs had radiographic signs of pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion. The median survival time was 19 weeks. Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs primarily in medium to large breed pure-bred dogs, and males are more frequently affected than females. The duration of clinical signs before referral is often short and the survival times are poor. Greater awareness of affected breeds, clinical signs and diagnostic findings may help in early recognition of this disease which often has a short clinical phase.

  15. Branched-chain amino acids attenuate early kidney injury in diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Mi, Na; Zhang, Xiu Juan; Ding, Yan; Li, Guo Hua; Wang, Wei Dong; Xian, Hui Xia; Xu, Jin

    2015-10-16

    Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most severe diabetic microvascular complication. The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is complex, and oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels activate various signaling pathways and influence the activities of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which contributes to glomerular hypertrophy. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are widely used in clinical treatment, and BCAAs can reduce the oxidative stress associated with the diabetic pancreas and some liver diseases. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether BCAAs could attenuate oxidative stress in the kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats to prevent early diabetic kidney injury. Male Wistar rats were fed for two weeks with a normal chow diet or a high-fat diet in which 40% of calories were derived from fat. After this two-week period, the mice fed normal chow were injected with vehicle, while the high-fat diet group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 40 mg/kg STZ. The STZ-treated group was randomly divided into four subgroups that were treated with different doses of BCAAs or vehicle for two months by oral gavage. Plasma glucose, plasma creatinine, urinary protein and JNK, TGF-β, and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels were measured in the rats. The ROS levels and proteinuria in the STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Moreover, early kidney injury occurred in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. However, BCAAs treatment decreased ROS levels, proteinuria and kidney injury. Moreover, JNK, TGF-β and MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in the diabetic rats when compared with the control rats, and BCAAs treatment reversed these changes. Our results suggest that BCAAs counter oxidative stress in the kidneys of diabetic rats and alleviate

  16. Early onset type 2 diabetes: risk factors, clinical impact and management

    PubMed Central

    Idris, Iskandar

    2014-01-01

    Early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent with a significant impact on the individual, healthcare service delivery and planning. The individuals are likely to be obese, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a strong family history of T2DM, be of black and minority ethnic (BME) origin and come from a less affluent socioeconomic group. They have a heightened risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications, often at an earlier stage and with greater frequency than seen in type 1 diabetes. As such, early and aggressive risk factor management is warranted. Early onset T2DM is complex and impacts on service delivery with a need for multidisciplinary care of complications and comorbidities’, in addition to adequate educational and psychological support. This review on the impact of early onset T2DM provides the latest insights into this emerging epidemic. PMID:25364491

  17. Cardiomyopathies in Noonan syndrome and the other RASopathies

    PubMed Central

    Gelb, Bruce D.; Roberts, Amy E.; Tartaglia, Marco

    2015-01-01

    Noonan syndrome and related disorders (Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, Costello syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair, and other related traits) are autosomal dominant traits. Mutations causing these disorders alter proteins relevant for signaling through RAS. Thus, these traits are now collectively called the RASopathies. While the RASopathies have pleiomorphic features, this review will focus on the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy observed in varying percentages of all of these traits. In addition, inherited abnormalities in one pathway gene, RAF1, cause pediatric-onset dilated cardiomyopathy. The pathogeneses for the RASopathy-associated cardiomyopathies are being elucidated, principally using animal models, leading to genotype-specific insights into how signal transduction is perturbed. Based on those findings, small molecule therapies seem possible for RASopathy-associated cardiomyopathies. PMID:26380542

  18. Successful treatment of inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after severe traumatic brain injury with milrinone after dobutamine failure.

    PubMed

    Mrozek, Ségolène; Srairi, Mohamed; Marhar, Fouad; Delmas, Clément; Gaussiat, François; Abaziou, Timothée; Larcher, Claire; Atthar, Vincent; Menut, Rémi; Fourcade, Olivier; Geeraerts, Thomas

    2016-01-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can occur at the early phase of severe acute brain injuries. In the case of cardiac output decrease or shock, the optimal treatment is still a matter of debate. Due to massive stress hormone release, the infusion of catecholamines may have limited effects and may even aggravate cardiac failure. Other inotropic agents may be an option. Levosimendan has been shown to have potential beneficial effects in this setting, although milrinone has not been studied. We report a case of a young female presenting with inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy syndrome after severe traumatic brain injury. Due to hemodynamic instability and increasing levels of infused norepinephrine, dobutamine infusion was begun but rapidly stopped due to tachyarrhythmia. Milrinone infusion stabilized the patient's hemodynamic status and improved cardiac output without deleterious effects. Milrinone could be a good alternative when inotropes are required in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and when dobutamine infusion is associated with tachyarrhythmia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Early feeding and neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers

    PubMed Central

    Ramesh, Shilpa; Hillier, Kirsty; Giannone, Peter J; Nankervis, Craig A

    2013-01-01

    Objectives: To examine the effects of early formula feeding or breast-feeding on hypoglycemia in infants born to 303 A1-A2 and 88 Class B-RF diabetics. Methods: Infants with hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 40 mg/dL) were breast-fed or formula-fed, and those with recurrences were given intravenous dextrose. Results: Of 293 infants admitted to the well-baby nursery, 87 (30%) had hypoglycemia, corrected by early feeding in 75 (86%), while 12 (14%) required intravenous dextrose. In all, 98 infants were admitted to the newborn intensive care unit for respiratory distress (40%), prematurity (33%) or prevention of hypoglycemia (27%). Although all newborn intensive care unit patients received intravenous dextrose, 22 (22%) had hypoglycemia. Of 109 hypoglycemia episodes, 89 (82%) were single low occurrences. At discharge, 56% of well-baby nursery and 43% of newborn intensive care unit infants initiated breast-feeding. Conclusions: Hypoglycemia among infants of diabetic mothers can be corrected by early breast-feeding or formula feeding. PMID:26770697

  20. Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... the American Heart Association Cardiology Patient Page Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy Scott W. Sharkey , John R. Lesser , Barry ... heart contraction has returned to normal. Importance of Stress In 85% of cases, takotsubo is triggered by ...

  1. Heart transplantation for Chagas cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Ramalho, Ana Rita; Prieto, David; Antunes, Pedro; Franco, Fátima; Antunes, Manuel J

    2017-11-01

    Chagas disease is an endemic disease in Latin America that is increasingly found in non-endemic areas all over the world due to the flow of migrants from Central and South America. We present the case of a Brazilian immigrant in Portugal who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation for end-stage Chagas cardiomyopathy. Immunosuppressive therapy included prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus. Twelve months after the procedure she is asymptomatic, with good graft function, and with no evidence of complications such as graft rejection, opportunistic infections, neoplasms or reactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. By reporting the first case in Portugal of heart transplantation for Chagas cardiomyopathy, we aim to increase awareness of Chagas disease as an emerging global problem and of Chagas cardiomyopathy as a serious complication for which heart transplantation is a valuable therapeutic option. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  2. Well-Being and Diabetes Management in Early Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

    PubMed

    Linden, Karolina; Sparud-Lundin, Carina; Adolfsson, Annsofie; Berg, Marie

    2016-08-22

    This paper explores well-being and diabetes management in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in early pregnancy and investigates associations among perceived well-being, diabetes management, and maternal characteristics. Questionnaires were answered by 168 Swedish women. Correlation analyses were conducted with Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs). The women reported relatively high scores of self-efficacy in diabetes management (SWE-DES-10: 3.91 (0.51)) and self-perceived health (excellent (6.5%), very good (42.3%), good (38.7%), fair (11.3%) and poor (1.2%)). Moderate scores were reported for general well-being (WBQ-12: 22.6 (5.7)) and sense of coherence (SOC-13: 68.9 (9.7), moderate/low scores for hypoglycemia fear (SWE-HFS 26.6 (11.8)) and low scores of diabetes-distress (SWE-PAID-20 27.1 (15.9)). A higher capability of self-efficacy in diabetes management showed positive correlations with self-perceived health (rs = -0.41, p < 0.0001) and well-being (rs = 0.34, p < 0.0001) as well as negative correlations with diabetes distress (rs = -0.51, p < 0.0001) and hypoglycemia worries (rs = -0.27, p = 0.0009). Women with HbA1c levels of ≤48 mmL/mol scored higher in the subscales "goal achievement" in SWE-DES (p = 0.0028) and "comprehensibility" in SOC (p = 0.016). Well-being and diabetes management could be supported by strengthening the women's capability to achieve glycemic goals and their comprehensibility in relation to the treatment. Further studies are needed to test this.

  3. A predictive model for canine dilated cardiomyopathy-a meta-analysis of Doberman Pinscher data.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Siobhan; Edwards, Jennifer; Emes, Richard D; Cobb, Malcolm A; Mongan, Nigel P; Rutland, Catrin S

    2015-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is a prevalent and often fatal disease in humans and dogs. Indeed dilated cardiomyopathy is the third most common form of cardiac disease in humans, reported to affect approximately 36 individuals per 100,000 individuals. In dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy is the second most common cardiac disease and is most prevalent in the Irish Wolfhound, Doberman Pinscher and Newfoundland breeds. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterised by ventricular chamber enlargement and systolic dysfunction which often leads to congestive heart failure. Although multiple human loci have been implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy, the identified variants are typically associated with rare monogenic forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. The potential for multigenic interactions contributing to human dilated cardiomyopathy remains poorly understood. Consistent with this, several known human dilated cardiomyopathy loci have been excluded as common causes of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, although canine dilated cardiomyopathy resembles the human disease functionally. This suggests additional genetic factors contribute to the dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype.This study represents a meta-analysis of available canine dilated cardiomyopathy genetic datasets with the goal of determining potential multigenic interactions relating the sex chromosome genotype (XX vs. XY) with known dilated cardiomyopathy associated loci on chromosome 5 and the PDK4 gene in the incidence and progression of dilated cardiomyopathy. The results show an interaction between known canine dilated cardiomyopathy loci and an unknown X-linked locus. Our study is the first to test a multigenic contribution to dilated cardiomyopathy and suggest a genetic basis for the known sex-disparity in dilated cardiomyopathy outcomes.

  4. Non compaction cardiomyopathy: Review of a controversial entity.

    PubMed

    Lorca, Rebeca; Rozado, José; Martín, María

    2018-05-11

    Non-compaction cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous and complex entity concerning which there are still many doubts to be resolved. While the American Heart Association includes it among genetic cardiomyopathies, the European Society of Cardiology treats it as an unclassified cardiomyopathy. It may present in a sporadic or familial form, isolated or associated with other heart diseases, affecting only the left ventricle or both and can sometimes appear as a mixed phenotype in patients with other cardiomyopathies. Different forms of clinical presentation are also associated with its different morphological manifestations, and even non-compaction of the left ventricle may be triggered by other physiological or pathological processes. The purpose of this review is an update of this entity and its controversies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  5. Intrathecal baclofen withdrawal: A rare cause of reversible cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Awuor, Stephen O; Kitei, Paul M; Nawaz, Yassir; Ahnert, Amy M

    2016-03-01

    Baclofen is commonly used to treat spasticity of central etiology. Unfortunately, a potentially lethal withdrawal syndrome can complicate its use. This is especially true when the drug is administered intrathecally. There are very few cases of baclofen withdrawal leading to reversible cardiomyopathy described in the literature. The authors present a patient with a history of chronic intrathecal baclofen use who, in the setting of acute baclofen withdrawal, develops laboratory, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram abnormalities consistent with cardiomyopathy. Upon reinstitution of intrathecal baclofen, the cardiomyopathy and associated abnormalities quickly resolve. Although rare, it is crucial to be aware of this reversible cardiomyopathy to ensure its prompt diagnosis and treatment.

  6. Direct Diabetes-Related Costs in Young Patients with Early-Onset, Long-Lasting Type 1 Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Straßburger, Klaus; Flechtner-Mors, Marion; Hungele, Andreas; Beyer, Peter; Placzek, Kerstin; Hermann, Ulrich; Schumacher, Andrea; Freff, Markus; Stahl-Pehe, Anna

    2013-01-01

    Objective To estimate diabetes-related direct health care costs in pediatric patients with early-onset type 1 diabetes of long duration in Germany. Research Design and Methods Data of a population-based cohort of 1,473 subjects with type 1 diabetes onset at 0–4 years of age within the years 1993–1999 were included (mean age 13.9 (SD 2.2) years, mean diabetes duration 10.9 (SD 1.9) years, as of 31.12.2007). Diabetes-related health care services utilized in 2007 were derived from a nationwide prospective documentation system (DPV). Health care utilization was valued in monetary terms based on inpatient and outpatient medical fees and retail prices (perspective of statutory health insurance). Multiple regression models were applied to assess associations between direct diabetes-related health care costs per patient-year and demographic and clinical predictors. Results Mean direct diabetes-related health care costs per patient-year were €3,745 (inter-quartile range: 1,943–4,881). Costs for glucose self-monitoring were the main cost category (28.5%), followed by costs for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (25.0%), diabetes-related hospitalizations (22.1%) and insulin (18.4%). Female gender, pubertal age and poor glycemic control were associated with higher and migration background with lower total costs. Conclusions Main cost categories in patients with on average 11 years of diabetes duration were costs for glucose self-monitoring, insulin pump therapy, hospitalization and insulin. Optimization of glycemic control in particular in pubertal age through intensified care with improved diabetes education and tailored insulin regimen, can contribute to the reduction of direct diabetes-related costs in this patient group. PMID:23967077

  7. Multimodal MRI for early diabetic mild cognitive impairment: study protocol of a prospective diagnostic trial.

    PubMed

    Yu, Ying; Sun, Qian; Yan, Lin-Feng; Hu, Yu-Chuan; Nan, Hai-Yan; Yang, Yang; Liu, Zhi-Cheng; Wang, Wen; Cui, Guang-Bin

    2016-08-24

    Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an intermediary state between normal cognition and dementia, often occurs during the prodromal diabetic stage, making early diagnosis and intervention of MCI very important. Latest neuroimaging techniques revealed some underlying microstructure alterations for diabetic MCI, from certain aspects. But there still lacks an integrated multimodal MRI system to detect early neuroimaging changes in diabetic MCI patients. Thus, we intended to conduct a diagnostic trial using multimodal MRI techniques to detect early diabetic MCI that is determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). In this study, healthy controls, prodromal diabetes and diabetes subjects (53 subjects/group) aged 40-60 years will be recruited from the physical examination center of Tangdu Hospital. The neuroimaging and psychometric measurements will be repeated at a 0.5 year-interval for 2.5 years' follow-up. The primary outcome measures are 1) Microstructural and functional alterations revealed with multimodal MRI scans including structure magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL); 2) Cognition evaluation with MoCA. The second outcome measures are obesity, metabolic characteristics, lifestyle and quality of life. The study will provide evidence for the potential use of multimodal MRI techniques with psychometric evaluation in diagnosing MCI at prodromal diabetic stage so as to help decision making in early intervention and improve the prognosis of T2DM. This study has been registered to ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02420470 ) on April 2, 2015 and published on July 29, 2015.

  8. Clinical and Prognostic Profiles of Cardiomyopathies Caused by Mutations in the Troponin T Gene.

    PubMed

    Ripoll-Vera, Tomás; Gámez, José María; Govea, Nancy; Gómez, Yolanda; Núñez, Juana; Socías, Lorenzo; Escandell, Ángela; Rosell, Jorge

    2016-02-01

    Mutations in the troponin T gene (TTNT2) have been associated in small studies with the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy characterized by a high risk of sudden death and mild hypertrophy. We describe the clinical course of patients carrying mutations in this gene. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with mutations in the TNNT2 gene who were seen in an inherited cardiac disease unit. Of 180 families with genetically studied cardiomyopathies, 21 families (11.7%) were identified as having mutations in TNNT2: 10 families had Arg92Gln, 5 had Arg286His, 3 had Arg278Cys, 1 had Arg92Trp, 1 had Arg94His, and 1 had Ile221Thr. Thirty-three additional genetic carriers were identified through family assessment. The study included 54 genetic carriers: 56% were male, and the mean average age was 41 ± 17 years. There were 33 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 9 of dilated cardiomyopathy, and 1 of noncompaction cardiomyopathy, and maximal myocardial thickness was 18.5 ± 6mm. Ventricular dysfunction was present in 30% of individuals and a history of sudden death in 62%. During follow-up, 4 patients died and 14 (33%) received a defibrillator (8 probands, 6 relatives). Mean survival was 54 years. Carriers of Arg92Gln had early disease development, high penetrance, a high risk of sudden death, a high rate of defibrillator implantation, and a high frequency of mixed phenotype. Mutations in the TNNT2 gene were more common in this series than in previous studies. The clinical and prognostic profiles depended on the mutation present. Carriers of the Arg92Gln mutation developed hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy and had a significantly worse prognosis than those with other mutations in TNNT2 or other sarcomeric genes. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  9. Potential role of immunoablation and hematopoietic cell transplantation in the treatment of early diabetes type 1.

    PubMed

    Snarski, Emilian; Milczarczyk, Alicja; Franek, Edward; Jedrzejczak, Wieslaw

    2010-01-01

    Immunoablation with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation has shown some effectiveness in the treatment of autoimmune diseases as diverse as aplastic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. It has been recently shown that this treatment might prevent or delay development of diabetes type 1. The majority of more than 30 patients with early diabetes type 1 who underwent immunoablation and hematopoietic cell transplantation in various centers in the world achieved durable remission of diabetes and independence of exogenous insulin. This review summarizes advantages and risks of this treatment of early diabetes type 1.

  10. Early Menarche and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at First Live Birth.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yun; Hu, Hui; D Taylor, Brandie; Kan, Haidong; Xu, Xiaohui

    2017-03-01

    To examine the association between early menarche and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012 were used to investigate the association between age at menarche and the risk of GDM at first birth among 5914 women. A growth mixture model was used to detect distinctive menarche onset patterns based on self-reported age at menarche. Logistic regression models were then used to examine the associations between menarche initiation patterns and GDM after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, family history of diabetes mellitus, lifetime greatest Body Mass Index, smoking status, and physical activity level. Among the 5914 first-time mothers, 3.4 % had self-reported GDM. We detected three groups with heterogeneous menarche onset patterns, the Early, Normal, and Late Menarche Groups. The regression model shows that compared to the Normal Menarche Group, the Early Menarche Group had 1.75 (95 % CI 1.10, 2.79) times the odds of having GDM. No statistically significant difference was observed between the Normal and the Late Menarche Group. This study suggests that early menarche may be a risk factor of GDM. Future studies are warranted to examine and confirm this finding.

  11. Tapioca Cardiomyopathy: Curse of Cassava Endomyocardial Fibrosis

    PubMed Central

    Anandan, Prem Krishna; Shukkarbhai, Patel Jigarkumar; George, Jimmy; Bhatt, Prabhavathi; Manjunath, Cholenahally Nanjappa

    2015-01-01

    Tropical endomyocardial fibrosis is a rare entity in the present era. Restrictive cardiomyopathy due to tapioca consumption is very rare, although it has been reported in India, especially in state of Kerala. We report a rare case of restrictive cardiomyopathy secondary to tapioca consumption in a 20-year-old male patient. PMID:28197237

  12. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with Addison disease.

    PubMed

    Punnam, Sujeeth Reddy; Gourineni, Nandu; Gupta, Vishal

    2010-10-08

    Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, also known as Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (Broken Heart Syndrome) is increasingly being reported in the medical literature. Its clinical picture resembles of an acute coronary syndrome with transient apical dyskinesia and normal coronary arteries. We report here a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with Addison disease with reversible cardiomyopathy. To the best of our knowledge there has been only one other reported case of this syndrome with Addison disease but with a different outcome. Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. An Upgrade on the Rabbit Model of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Shorter Protocol, Reduced Mortality, and Higher Incidence of Overt Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Talavera, Jesús; Fernández-Del-Palacio, María Josefa; García-Nicolás, Obdulio; Seva, Juan; Brooks, Gavin; Moraleda, Jose M.

    2015-01-01

    Current protocols of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy in rabbits present with high premature mortality and nephrotoxicity, thus rendering them unsuitable for studies requiring long-term functional evaluation of myocardial function (e.g., stem cell therapy). We compared two previously described protocols to an in-house developed protocol in three groups: Group DOX2 received doxorubicin 2 mg/kg/week (8 weeks); Group DAU3 received daunorubicin 3 mg/kg/week (10 weeks); and Group DAU4 received daunorubicin 4 mg/kg/week (6 weeks). A cohort of rabbits received saline (control). Results of blood tests, cardiac troponin I, echocardiography, and histopathology were analysed. Whilst DOX2 and DAU3 rabbits showed high premature mortality (50% and 33%, resp.), DAU4 rabbits showed 7.6% premature mortality. None of DOX2 rabbits developed overt dilated cardiomyopathy; 66% of DAU3 rabbits developed overt dilated cardiomyopathy and quickly progressed to severe congestive heart failure. Interestingly, 92% of DAU4 rabbits showed overt dilated cardiomyopathy and 67% developed congestive heart failure exhibiting stable disease. DOX2 and DAU3 rabbits showed alterations of renal function, with DAU3 also exhibiting hepatic function compromise. Thus, a shortened protocol of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy as in DAU4 group results in high incidence of overt dilated cardiomyopathy, which insidiously progressed to congestive heart failure, associated to reduced systemic compromise and very low premature mortality. PMID:26788502

  14. An automated approach for early detection of diabetic retinopathy using SD-OCT images.

    PubMed

    ElTanboly, Ahmed H; Palacio, Agustina; Shalaby, Ahmed M; Switala, Andrew E; Helmy, Omar; Schaal, Shlomit; El-Baz, Ayman

    2018-01-01

      This study was to demonstrate the feasibility of an automatic approach for early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) from SD-OCT images. These scans were prospectively collected from 200 subjects through the fovea then were automatically segmented, into 12 layers. Each layer was characterized by its thickness, tortuosity, and normalized reflectivity. 26 diabetic patients, without DR changes visible by funduscopic examination, were matched with 26 controls, according to age and sex, for purposes of statistical analysis using mixed effects ANOVA. The INL was narrower in diabetes (p = 0.14), while the NFL (p = 0.04) and IZ (p = 0.34) were thicker. Tortuosity of layers NFL through the OPL was greater in diabetes (all p < 0.1), while significantly greater normalized reflectivity was observed in the MZ and OPR (both p < 0.01) as well as ELM and IZ (both p < 0.5). A novel automated method enables to provide quantitative analysis of the changes in each layer of the retina that occur with diabetes. In turn, carries the promise to a reliable non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of DR.

  15. Tumstatin peptide, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, prevents glomerular hypertrophy in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy.

    PubMed

    Yamamoto, Yoshihiko; Maeshima, Yohei; Kitayama, Hiroyuki; Kitamura, Shinji; Takazawa, Yuki; Sugiyama, Hitoshi; Yamasaki, Yasushi; Makino, Hirofumi

    2004-07-01

    In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes) glomerular hyperfiltration and hypertrophy are observed. It is clinically important to regulate glomerular hypertrophy for preventing glomerulosclerosis. The number of glomerular endothelial cells is known to be increased in diabetic nephropathy associated with enlarged glomerular tufts, suggesting that the mechanism is similar to that of angiogenesis. Tumstatin peptide is an angiogenesis inhibitor derived from type IV collagen and inhibits in vivo neovascularization induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the mediators of glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic nephropathy. Here, we show the effect of tumstatin peptide in inhibiting alterations in early diabetic nephropathy. Glomerular hypertrophy, hyperfiltration, and albuminuria were suppressed by tumstatin peptide (1 mg/kg) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Glomerular matrix expansion, the increase of total glomerular cell number and glomerular endothelial cells (CD31 positive), and monocyte/macrophage accumulation was inhibited by tumstatin peptide. Increase in renal expression of VEGF, flk-1, and angiopoietin-2, an antagonist of angiopoietin-1, was inhibited by tumstatin treatment in diabetic mice. Alteration of glomerular nephrin expression, a podocyte protein crucial for maintaining glomerular filtration barrier, was recovered by tumstatin in diabetic mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential use of antiangiogenic tumstatin peptide as a novel therapeutic agent in early diabetic nephropathy.

  16. Primary Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients With Valvular Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Rodríguez-Mañero, Moisés; Barrio-López, María Teresa; Assi, Emad Abu; Expósito-García, Víctor; Bertomeu-González, Vicente; Sánchez-Gómez, Juan Miguel; González-Torres, Luis; García-Bolao, Ignacio; Gaztañaga, Larraitz; Cabanas-Grandío, Pilar; Iglesias-Bravo, José Antonio; Arce-León, Álvaro; la Huerta, Ana Andrés; Fernández-Armenta, Juan; Peinado, Rafael; Arias, Miguel Angel; Díaz-Infante, Ernesto

    2016-03-01

    Few data exist on the outcomes of valvular cardiomyopathy patients referred for defibrillator implantation for primary prevention. The aim of the present study was to describe the outcomes of this cardiomyopathy subgroup. This multicenter retrospective study included consecutive patients referred for defibrillator implantation to 15 Spanish centers in 2010 and 2011, and to 3 centers after 1 January 2008. Of 1174 patients, 73 (6.2%) had valvular cardiomyopathy. These patients had worse functional class, wider QRS, and a history of atrial fibrillation vs patients with ischemic (n=659; 56.1%) or dilated (n=442; 37.6%) cardiomyopathy. During a follow-up of 38.1 ± 21.3 months, 197 patients (16.7%) died, without significant differences among the groups (19.2% in the valvular cardiomyopathy group, 15.8% in the ischemic cardiomyopathy group, and 17.9% in the dilated cardiomyopathy group; P=.2); 136 died of cardiovascular causes (11.6%), without significant differences among the groups (12.3%, 10.5%, and 13.1%, respectively; P=.1). Although there were no differences in the proportion of appropriate defibrillator interventions (13.7%, 17.9%, and 18.8%; P=.4), there was a difference in inappropriate interventions (8.2%, 7.1%, and 12.0%, respectively; P=.03). All-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with valvular cardiomyopathy were similar to those in other patients referred for defibrillator implantation. They also had similar rates of appropriate interventions. These data suggest that defibrillator implantation in this patient group confers a similar benefit to that obtained by patients with ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  17. The Role of CMR in Cardiomyopathies

    PubMed Central

    Kramer, Christopher M.

    2015-01-01

    Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has made major inroads in the new millenium in the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis for patients with cardiomyopathies. Imaging of left and right ventricular structure and function and tissue characterization with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as well as T1 and T2 mapping enable accurate diagnosis of the underlying etiology. In the setting of coronary artery disease, either transmurality of LGE or contractile reserve in response to dobutamine can assess the likelihood of recovery of function after revascularization. The presence of scar reduces the likelihood of response to medical therapy and to cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure. The presence and extent of LGE relate to overall cardiovascular outcome in cardiomyopathies. An emerging major role for CMR in cardiomyopathies is to identify myocardial scar for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. PMID:26033902

  18. Spatial distribution of early red lesions is a risk factor for development of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Ometto, Giovanni; Assheton, Phil; Calivá, Francesco; Chudzik, Piotr; Al-Diri, Bashir; Hunter, Andrew; Bek, Toke

    2017-12-01

    Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by morphological lesions related to disturbances in retinal blood flow. It has previously been shown that the early development of retinal lesions temporal to the fovea may predict the development of treatment-requiring diabetic maculopathy. The aim of this study was to map accurately the area where lesions could predict progression to vision-threatening retinopathy. The predictive value of the location of the earliest red lesions representing haemorrhages and/or microaneurysms was studied by comparing their occurrence in a group of individuals later developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy with that in a group matched with respect to diabetes type, age, sex and age of onset of diabetes mellitus who did not develop vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy during a similar observation period. The probability of progression to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was higher in a circular area temporal to the fovea, and the occurrence of the first lesions in this area was predictive of the development of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. The calculated peak value showed that the risk of progression was 39.5% higher than the average. There was no significant difference in the early distribution of lesions in participants later developing diabetic maculopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The location of early red lesions in diabetic retinopathy is predictive of whether or not individuals will later develop vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. This evidence should be incorporated into risk models used to recommend control intervals in screening programmes for diabetic retinopathy.

  19. Microperimetry and fundus autofluorescence in diabetic macular edema: subthreshold micropulse diode laser versus modified early treatment diabetic retinopathy study laser photocoagulation.

    PubMed

    Vujosevic, Stela; Bottega, Elisa; Casciano, Margherita; Pilotto, Elisabetta; Convento, Enrica; Midena, Edoardo

    2010-06-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare microperimetry and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) after subthreshold micropulse diode laser versus modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study photocoagulation for clinically significant diabetic macular edema. A prospective randomized clinical trial including 62 eyes (50 patients) with untreated, center-involving, clinically significant diabetic macular edema was performed. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity determination (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, FAF, optical coherence tomography, microperimetry (macular sensitivity), and fluorescein angiography before and after treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography, microperimetry, and FAF were repeated at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up examinations. Fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Before treatment, demographic and macular parameters were not different between the two treatment groups. At 12 months, best-corrected visual acuity remained stable in both groups (P = 0.41 and P = 0.82), mean central retinal thickness decreased in both groups (P = 0.0002 and P < 0.0001), and mean central 4 degrees and 12 degrees retinal sensitivity increased in the micropulse diode laser group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.0075) and decreased in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study group (P = 0.2 and P = 0.0026). There was no significant difference in either best-corrected visual acuity or central retinal thickness between the 2 treatment groups (P = 0.48 and P = 0.29), whereas there was a significant difference in 4 degrees and 12 degrees retinal sensitivity (P = 0.04 and P < 0.0001). Fundus autofluorescence never changed in the micropulse diode laser group even after retreatment. In the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study group, FAF increased up to 9 months and decreased in 6 eyes (20%) at 12 months. Micropulse diode laser seems to be as

  20. Stress cardiomyopathy syndrome: a contemporary review.

    PubMed

    Kapoor, Divya; Bybee, Kevin A

    2009-12-01

    Stress cardiomyopathy (SC) syndrome represents a reversible form of cardiomyopathy that commonly presents proximate to an acute emotional or physiologic stressor. The clinical presentation is similar to an acute coronary syndrome in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease to explain the unusual distribution of associated transient wall motion abnormalities. Postmenopausal women seem particularly prone to SC for unclear reasons. The pathophysiology of the syndrome is unknown but may involve pathologic sympathetic myocardial stimulation.

  1. Mechanical Dyssynchrony Precedes QRS Widening in ATP‐Sensitive K+ Channel–Deficient Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Yamada, Satsuki; Arrell, D. Kent; Kane, Garvan C.; Nelson, Timothy J.; Perez‐Terzic, Carmen M.; Behfar, Atta; Purushothaman, Saranya; Prinzen, Frits W.; Auricchio, Angelo; Terzic, Andre

    2013-01-01

    Background Contractile discordance exacerbates cardiac dysfunction, aggravating heart failure outcome. Dissecting the genesis of mechanical dyssynchrony would enable an early diagnosis before advanced disease. Methods and Results High‐resolution speckle‐tracking echocardiography was applied in a knockout murine surrogate of adult‐onset human cardiomyopathy caused by mutations in cardioprotective ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. Preceding the established criteria of cardiac dyssynchrony, multiparametric speckle‐based strain resolved nascent erosion of dysfunctional regions within cardiomyopathic ventricles of the KATP channel–null mutant exposed to hemodynamic stress. Not observed in wild‐type counterparts, intraventricular disparity in wall motion, validated by the degree, direction, and delay of myocardial speckle patterns, unmasked the disease substrate from asymptomatic to overt heart failure. Mechanical dyssynchrony preceded widening of the QRS complex and exercise intolerance and progressed into global myocardial discoordination and decompensated cardiac pump function, precipitating a low output syndrome. Conclusions The present study, with the use of high‐resolution imaging, prospectively resolved the origin and extent of intraventricular motion disparity in a KATP channel–knockout model of dilated cardiomyopathy. Mechanical dyssynchrony established as an early marker of cardiomyopathic disease offers novel insight into the pathodynamics of dyssynchronous heart failure. PMID:24308936

  2. Complement Activation and STAT4 Expression Are Associated with Early Inflammation in Diabetic Wounds

    PubMed Central

    Cunnion, Kenji M.; Krishna, Neel K.; Pallera, Haree K.; Pineros-Fernandez, Angela; Rivera, Magdielis Gregory; Hair, Pamela S.; Lassiter, Brittany P.; Huyck, Ryan; Clements, Mary A.; Hood, Antoinette F.; Rodeheaver, George T.; Nadler, Jerry L.; Dobrian, Anca D.

    2017-01-01

    Diabetic non-healing wounds are a major clinical problem. The mechanisms leading to poor wound healing in diabetes are multifactorial but unresolved inflammation may be a major contributing factor. The complement system (CS) is the most potent inflammatory cascade in humans and contributes to poor wound healing in animal models. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a transcription factor expressed in immune and adipose cells and contributes to upregulation of some inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Persistent CS and STAT4 expression in diabetic wounds may thus contribute to chronic inflammation and delayed healing. The purpose of this study was to characterize CS and STAT4 in early diabetic wounds using db/db mice as a diabetic skin wound model. The CS was found to be activated early in the diabetic wounds as demonstrated by increased anaphylatoxin C5a in wound fluid and C3-fragment deposition by immunostaining. These changes were associated with a 76% increase in nucleated cells in the wounds of db/db mice vs. controls. The novel classical CS inhibitor, Peptide Inhibitor of Complement C1 (PIC1) reduced inflammation when added directly or saturated in an acellular skin scaffold, as reflected by reduced CS components and leukocyte infiltration. A significant increase in expression of STAT4 and the downstream macrophage chemokine CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 were also found in the early wounds of db/db mice compared to non-diabetic controls. These studies provide evidence for two new promising targets to reduce unresolved inflammation and to improve healing of diabetic skin wounds. PMID:28107529

  3. Hyposensitivity of C-fiber Afferents at the Distal Extremities as an Indicator of Early Stages Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Women

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Wei-Chia; Wu, Han-Ching; Huang, Kuo-How; Wu, Huey-Peir; Yu, Hong-Jeng; Wu, Chia-Ching

    2014-01-01

    Purpose To investigate the relationship between distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy and early stages of autonomic bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic women. Materials and Methods A total of 137 diabetic women with minimal coexisting confounders of voiding dysfunction followed at a diabetes clinic were subject to the following evaluations: current perception threshold (CPT) tests on myelinated and unmyelinated nerves at the big toe for peroneal nerve and middle finger for median nerve, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine volume, and overactive bladder (OAB) symptom score questionnaire. Patients presenting with voiding difficulty also underwent urodynamic studies and intravesical CPT tests. Results Based on the OAB symptom score and urodynamic studies, 19% of diabetic women had the OAB syndrome while 24.8% had unrecognized urodynamic bladder dysfunction (UBD). The OAB group had a significantly greater mean 5 Hz CPT test value at the big toe by comparison to those without OAB. When compared to diabetic women without UBD, those with UBD showed greater mean 5 Hz CPT test values at the middle finger and big toe. The diabetic women categorized as C-fiber hyposensitivity at the middle finger or big toe by using CPT test also had higher odds ratios of UBD. Among diabetic women with UBD, the 5 Hz CPT test values at the big toe and middle finger were significantly associated with intravesical 5 Hz CPT test values. Conclusions Using electrophysiological evidence, our study revealed that hyposensitivity of unmyelinated C fiber afferents at the distal extremities is an indicator of early stages diabetic bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic women. The C fiber dysfunction at the distal extremities seems concurrent with vesical C-fiber neuropathy and may be a sentinel for developing early diabetic bladder dysfunction among female patients. PMID:24466107

  4. Myocardial dysfunction in mitochondrial diabetes treated with Coenzyme Q10.

    PubMed

    Salles, João Eduardo; Moisés, Valdir A; Almeida, Dirceu R; Chacra, Antonio R; Moisés, Regina S

    2006-04-01

    Maternally-inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) has been related to an A to G transition in the mitochondrial tRNA Leu (UUR) gene at the base pair 3243. Although some previous articles have reported that this mutation may be a cause of cardiomyopathy in diabetes, the degree of cardiac involvement and a specific treatment has not been established. Here, we reported a case of a patient with MIDD who developed congestive heart failure and the therapeutic usefulness of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). In our patient, after the introduction of Coenzyme Q10 150 mg/day, there was a gradual improvement on left ventricular function evaluated by echocardiography. The fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) increased from 26 to 34% and from 49 to 64%, respectively. No side effects were noted. Three months after CoQ10 discontinuation, the parameters of systolic function evaluated by echocardiography decreased, suggesting that CoQ10 had a beneficial effect. Identification of diabetes and cardiomyopathy due to mitochondrial gene mutation may have therapeutic implications and Coenzyme Q10 is a possible adjunctive treatment in such patients.

  5. [The child from families with type 1 diabetes].

    PubMed

    Wasikowa, Renata; Suchańska, Dorota; Suchańska, Danuta; Basiak, Aleksander; Noczyńska, Anna; Stasińska, Teresa

    2005-01-01

    Diabetes type 1 is observed in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the disease. Observed is a 3-5 fold risk for congenital defects, therefore diabetes type 1 is one of the highest known teratogenic risk factor. The main factor responsible for the development of congenital defects is hyperglycemia. Observed are congenital defects of the central nervous system, the bones, urinary and digestive tract. Characteristic is macrosomia. Observed are hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, respiratory disturbances. Children from families with diabetes type 1 are at high risk for the development of the disease in the newborn period, additional diseases. They must be in permanent medical control.

  6. Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes and Its Associated Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Bhattacharjee, Niloy; Khanra, Ritu; Dua, Tarun K; Das, Susmita; De, Bratati; Zia-Ul-Haq, M; De Feo, Vincenzo; Dewanjee, Saikat

    2016-01-01

    Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) rhizome has been claimed to possess antidiabetic activity in the ethno-medicinal literature in India. Therefore, present experiments were carried out to explore the protective role of edible (aqueous) extract of S. roxburghiana rhizome (SR) against experimentally induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats. SR was chemically characterized by GC-MS analysis. Antidiabetic activity of SR (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) was measured in high fat diets (ad libitum) + low-single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat. Fasting blood glucose level was measured at specific intermissions. Serum biochemical and inflammatory markers were estimated after sacrificing the animals. Besides, myocardial redox status, expressions of signal proteins (NF-κB and PKCs), histological and ultrastructural studies of heart were performed in the controls and SR treated T2D rats. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, sugar alcohols, sterols, amino acids, saturated fatty acids within SR. T2D rats exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher fasting blood glucose level with respect to control. Alteration in serum lipid profile (p < 0.01) and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01) and creatine kinase (p < 0.01) in the sera revealed the occurrence of hyperlipidemia and cell destruction in T2D rats. T2DM caused significant (p < 0.05-0.01) alteration in the biochemical markers in the sera. T2DM altered the redox status (p < 0.05-0.01), decreased (p < 0.01) the intracellular NAD and ATP concentrations in the myocardial tissues of experimental rats. While investigating the molecular mechanism, activation PKC isoforms was observed in the selected tissues. T2D rats also exhibited an up-regulation in nuclear NF-κB (p65) in the cardiac tissues. So, oral administration of SR (50 and 500 mg

  7. Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Somers, Virend K.

    2014-01-01

    Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may be a treatable risk factor in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common inherited cardiomyopathy. Evidence suggests a high prevalence of SDB in HCM. We summarize the pathophysiology of SDB as it relates to hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death in patients with HCM. The implications regarding the care of patients with HCM and SDB are discussed as well as the knowledge deficits needing further exploration. PMID:25010966

  8. Terahertz imaging for early screening of diabetic foot syndrome: A proof of concept

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hernandez-Cardoso, G. G.; Rojas-Landeros, S. C.; Alfaro-Gomez, M.; Hernandez-Serrano, A. I.; Salas-Gutierrez, I.; Lemus-Bedolla, E.; Castillo-Guzman, A. R.; Lopez-Lemus, H. L.; Castro-Camus, E.

    2017-02-01

    Most people with diabetes suffer some deterioration of the feet. Diabetic foot syndrome causes ulceration in about 15% of cases and such deterioration leads to amputation in about 2.5% of diabetic patients, diminishing their quality of life and generating extraordinary costs for patients and public health systems. Currently, there is no objective method for the detection of diabetic foot syndrome in its early stages. We propose terahertz imaging as a method for the evaluation of such deterioration. This screening method could aid the prevention and medical treatment of this condition in the future.

  9. Early prediction of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes.

    PubMed

    Regnell, Simon E; Lernmark, Åke

    2017-08-01

    Underlying type 1 diabetes is a genetic aetiology dominated by the influence of specific HLA haplotypes involving primarily the class II DR-DQ region. In genetically predisposed children with the DR4-DQ8 haplotype, exogenous factors, yet to be identified, are thought to trigger an autoimmune reaction against insulin, signalled by insulin autoantibodies as the first autoantibody to appear. In children with the DR3-DQ2 haplotype, the triggering reaction is primarily against GAD signalled by GAD autoantibodies (GADA) as the first-appearing autoantibody. The incidence rate of insulin autoantibodies as the first-appearing autoantibody peaks during the first years of life and declines thereafter. The incidence rate of GADA as the first-appearing autoantibody peaks later but does not decline. The first autoantibody may variably be followed, in an apparently non-HLA-associated pathogenesis, by a second, third or fourth autoantibody. Although not all persons with a single type of autoantibody progress to diabetes, the presence of multiple autoantibodies seems invariably to be followed by loss of functional beta cell mass and eventually by dysglycaemia and symptoms. Infiltration of mononuclear cells in and around the islets appears to be a late phenomenon appearing in the multiple-autoantibody-positive with dysglycaemia. As our understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes advances, the improved capability for early prediction should guide new strategies for the prevention of type 1 diabetes.

  10. Corneal and Retinal Neuronal Degeneration in Early Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Srinivasan, Sangeetha; Dehghani, Cirous; Pritchard, Nicola; Edwards, Katie; Russell, Anthony W; Malik, Rayaz A; Efron, Nathan

    2017-12-01

    To examine the neuronal structural integrity of cornea and retina as markers for neuronal degeneration in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Participants were recruited from the broader Brisbane community, Queensland, Australia. Two hundred forty-one participants (187 with diabetes and 54 nondiabetic controls) were examined. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was graded according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale. Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFT), full retinal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), focal (FLV) and global loss volumes (GLV), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular measures were examined. The central zone (P = 0.174), parafoveal thickness (P = 0.090), perifovea (P = 0.592), RNFL (P = 0.866), GCC (P = 0.798), and GCC GLV (P = 0.338) did not differ significantly between the groups. In comparison to the control group, those with very mild NPDR and those with mild NPDR had significantly higher focal loss in GCC volume (P = 0.036). CNFL was significantly lower in those with mild NPDR (P = 0.004) in comparison to the control group and those with no DR. The CNBD (P = 0.094) and CNFT (P = 0.458) did not differ between the groups. Both corneal and retinal neuronal degeneration may occur in early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Further studies are required to examine these potential markers for neuronal degeneration in the absence of clinical signs of DR.

  11. The clinical characteristics of patients with mitochondrial tRNA Leu(UUR)m.3243A > G mutation: Compared with type 1 diabetes and early onset type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Jie; Yang, Peng; Liu, Xiang; Yan, Li; Rampersad, Sharvan; Li, Feng; Li, Hong; Sheng, Chunjun; Cheng, Xiaoyun; Zhang, Manna; Qu, Shen

    2017-08-01

    This study presents nine patients with mitochondrial tRNA Leu (UUR) m.3243A>G mutation and compares the clinical characteristics and diabetes complications with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or early onset type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The study covers 9 patients with MIDD, 33 patients with T1DM and 86 patients (age of onset ≤35years) with early onset T2DM, matched for sex, age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes. All patients with MIDD were confirmed as carrying the m.3243A>G mitochondrial DNA mutation. Serum HbA1c, beta-cell function, retinal and renal complications of diabetes, bone metabolic markers, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD bone mineral density were compared to characterize the clinical features of all patients. Nine patients were from five unrelated families, and the mean (SD) onset age of those patients was 31.2±7.2year. Two patients required insulin at presentation, and six patients progressed to insulin requirement after a mean of 7.2years. β-Cell function in the MIDD group was intermediate between T1DM and early-onset T2DM. In MIDD, four patients were diagnosed as diabetic retinopathy (4/9) and five patients (5/9) had macroalbuminuria. The number of patients with diabetic retinopathy and macroalbuminuria in the MIDD group was comparable to T1DM or early-onset T2DM. The rate of osteoporosis (BMD T-score<-2.5 SD) in the patient with MIDD was higher than the T1DM or early-onset T2DM group. Our study indicates that of the nine subjects with MIDD, three patients (1-II-1, 1-II-3, 1-II-4) who came from the same family had a history of acute pancreatitis. Compared with T1DM or early-onset T2DM matched for sex, age, duration of diabetes, MIDD patients had the highest rate of osteoporosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. The Cardiomyopathy Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme of the European Society of Cardiology: baseline data and contemporary management of adult patients with cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Charron, Philippe; Elliott, Perry M; Gimeno, Juan R; Caforio, Alida L P; Kaski, Juan Pablo; Tavazzi, Luigi; Tendera, Michal; Maupain, Carole; Laroche, Cécile; Rubis, Pawel; Jurcut, Ruxandra; Calò, Leonardo; Heliö, Tiina M; Sinagra, Gianfranco; Zdravkovic, Marija; Kavoliuniene, Aušra; Felix, Stephan B; Grzybowski, Jacek; Losi, Maria-Angela; Asselbergs, Folkert W; García-Pinilla, José Manuel; Salazar-Mendiguchia, Joel; Mizia-Stec, Katarzyna; Maggioni, Aldo P

    2018-05-21

    The Cardiomyopathy Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme is a prospective, observational, and multinational registry of consecutive patients with four cardiomyopathy subtypes: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). We report the baseline characteristics and management of adults enrolled in the registry. A total of 3208 patients were enrolled by 69 centres in 18 countries [HCM (n = 1739); DCM (n = 1260); ARVC (n = 143); and RCM (n = 66)]. Differences between cardiomyopathy subtypes (P < 0.001) were observed for age at diagnosis, history of familial disease, history of sustained ventricular arrhythmia, use of magnetic resonance imaging or genetic testing, and implantation of defibrillators. When compared with probands, relatives had a lower age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), but a similar rate of symptoms and defibrillators. When compared with the Long-Term phase, patients of the Pilot phase (enrolled in more expert centres) had a more frequent rate of familial disease (P < 0.001), were more frequently diagnosed with a rare underlying disease (P < 0.001), and more frequently implanted with a defibrillator (P = 0.023). Comparing four geographical areas, patients from Southern Europe had a familial disease more frequently (P < 0.001), were more frequently diagnosed in the context of a family screening (P < 0.001), and more frequently diagnosed with a rare underlying disease (P < 0.001). By providing contemporary observational data on characteristics and management of patients with cardiomyopathies, the registry provides a platform for the evaluation of guideline implementation. Potential gaps with existing recommendations are discussed as well as some suggestions for improvement of health care provision in Europe.

  13. Early-progressive dilated cardiomyopathy in a family with Becker muscular dystrophy related to a novel frameshift mutation in the dystrophin gene exon 27.

    PubMed

    Tsuda, Takeshi; Fitzgerald, Kristi; Scavena, Mena; Gidding, Samuel; Cox, Mary O; Marks, Harold; Flanigan, Kevin M; Moore, Steven A

    2015-03-01

    We report a family in which two male siblings with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) developed severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and progressive heart failure (HF) at age 11 years; one died at age 14 years while awaiting heart transplant and the other underwent left ventricular assist device implantation at the same age. Genetic analysis of one sibling showed a novel frameshift mutation in exon 27 of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene (c.3779_3785delCTTTGGAinsGG), in which seven base pairs are deleted and two are inserted. Although this predicts an amino-acid substitution and premature termination (p.Thr1260Argfs*8), muscle biopsy dystrophin immunostaining instead indicates that the mutation is more likely to alter splicing. Despite relatively preserved skeletal muscular performance, both the siblings developed progressive HF secondary to early-onset DCM. In addition, their 7-year-old nephew with delayed gross motor development, mild proximal muscle weakness and markedly elevated serum creatine kinase level (>13 000 IU l(-1)) at 16 months was recently demonstrated to have the familial DMD mutation. Here, we report a novel genotype of BMD with early-onset DCM and progressive lethal HF during early adolescence.

  14. Infant with cardiomyopathy: When to suspect inborn errors of metabolism?

    PubMed Central

    Byers, Stephanie L; Ficicioglu, Can

    2014-01-01

    Inborn errors of metabolism are identified in 5%-26% of infants and children with cardiomyopathy. Although fatty acid oxidation disorders, lysosomal and glycogen storage disorders and organic acidurias are well-known to be associated with cardiomyopathies, emerging reports suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction and congenital disorders of glycosylation may also account for a proportion of cardiomyopathies. This review article clarifies when primary care physicians and cardiologists should suspect inborn errors of metabolism in a patient with cardiomyopathy, and refer the patient to a metabolic specialist for a further metabolic work up, with specific discussions of “red flags” which should prompt additional evaluation. PMID:25429327

  15. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association

    MedlinePlus

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  16. Fortified extract of red berry, Ginkgo biloba, and white willow bark in experimental early diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Bucolo, Claudio; Marrazzo, Giuseppina; Platania, Chiara Bianca Maria; Drago, Filippo; Leggio, Gian Marco; Salomone, Salvatore

    2013-01-01

    Diabetic retinopathy is a complex condition where inflammation and oxidative stress represent crucial pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. Aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a fortified extract of red berries, Ginkgo biloba and white willow bark containing carnosine and α-lipoic acid in early retinal and plasma changes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single streptozotocin injection in Sprague Dawley rats. Diabetics and nondiabetic (control) rats were treated daily with the fortified extract for the ten days. Retina samples were collected and analyzed for their TNF-α and VEGF content. Moreover, plasma oxidative stress was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS). Increased TNF-α and VEGF levels were observed in the retina of diabetic rats. Treatment with the fortified extract significantly lowered retinal cytokine levels and suppressed diabetes-related lipid peroxidation. These data demonstrate that the fortified extract attenuates the degree of retinal inflammation and plasma lipid peroxidation preserving the retina in early diabetic rats.

  17. Myocardial recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy: prospective comparison with recent onset cardiomyopathy in men and nonperipartum women.

    PubMed

    Cooper, Leslie T; Mather, Paul J; Alexis, Jeffrey D; Pauly, Daniel F; Torre-Amione, Guillermo; Wittstein, Ilan S; Dec, G William; Zucker, Mark; Narula, Jagat; Kip, Kevin; McNamara, Dennis M

    2012-01-01

    Whether myocardial recovery occurs more frequently in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) than in recent onset cardiomyopathies in men and nonperipartum women has not been prospectively evaluated. This was examined through an analysis of outcomes in the Intervention in Myocarditis and Acute Cardiomyopathy 2 (IMAC2) registry. IMAC2 enrolled 373 subjects with recent onset nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed at entry and 6 months, and subjects followed for up to 4 years. Myocardial recovery was compared between men (group 1), nonperipartum women (group 2) and subjects with PPCM (group 3). The cohort included 230 subjects in group 1, 104 in group 2, and 39 in group 3. The mean LVEF at baseline in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.23 ± 0.08, 0.24 ± 0.08, and 0.27 ± 0.07 (P = .04), and at 6 months was 0.39 ± 0.12, 0.42 ± 0.11, and 0.45 ± 0.14 (P = .007). Subjects in group 3 had a much greater likelihood of achieving an LVEF >0.50 at 6 months than groups 1 or 2 (19 %, 34%, and 48% respectively, P = .002). Prospective evaluation confirms myocardial recovery is greatest in women with PPCM, poorest in men, and intermediate in nonperipartum women. On contemporary therapy, nearly half of women with PPCM normalize cardiac function by 6 months. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Creatine kinase and alpha-actin mRNA levels decrease in diabetic rat hearts

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Popovich, B.; Barrieux, A.; Dillmann, W.H.

    1987-05-01

    Diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with cardiac atrophy and isoenzyme redistribution. To determine if tissue specific changes occur in mRNAs coding for ..cap alpha..-actin and creatine kinase (CK), they performed RNA blot analysis. Total ventricular RNA from control (C) and 4 wk old diabetic (D) rats were hybridized with /sup 32/P cDNA probes for ..cap alpha..-actin and CK. A tissue independent cDNA probe, CHOA was also used. Signal intensity was quantified by photodensitometry. D CK mRNA was 47 +/- 16% lower in D vs C. Insulin increases CK mRNA by 20% at 1.5 hs, and completely reverses the deficit after 4more » wks. D ..cap alpha..-actin mRNA is 66 +/- 18% lower in D vs C. Insulin normalized ..cap alpha..-actin mRNA by 5 hs. CHOA mRNA is unchanged in D vs C, but D + insulin CHOA mRNA is 30 +/- 2% lower than C. In rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy, muscle specific CK and ..cap alpha..-actin mRNAs are decreased. Insulin treatment reverses these changes.« less

  19. Controversies Surrounding Exercise in Genetic Cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Atteya, Gourg; Lampert, Rachel

    2018-04-01

    Exercise and sports are an integral part of daily life for millions of Americans, with 16% of the US population older than age 15 years engaged in sports or exercise activities (Bureau of Labor statistics). The physical and psychological benefits of exercise are well-recognized. However, high-profile cases of athletes dying suddenly on the field, often due to undiagnosed genetic cardiomyopathies, raise questions about the risks and benefits of exercise for those with cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy caused by heat stroke.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wei-Ta; Lin, Cheng-Hsin; Hsieh, Ming-Hsiung; Huang, Chun-Yao; Yeh, Jong-Shiuan

    2012-07-01

    Heat stroke is defined by central nervous system abnormalities and failure of proper maintenance of thermoregulation as a result of high core body temperature ensuing from exposure to high environmental temperatures or strenuous exercise. Common complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal injury, hepatic injury, and rhabdomyolysis. Myocardial injury may also occur during heat stroke, resulting in cardiac enzyme increase and ST-segment changes on the ECG. Such findings might behave as diagnostic pitfalls by mimicking the presentation of coronary artery occlusive myocardial infarction. A previous case report described a patient with heat stroke and ST-segment elevation, in which the definite cause of the ST-segment elevation was unclear; however, acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary artery disease was ruled out according to the clinical signs, serial ECG changes, and serum level of cardiac biomarkers. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) was suspected, but it could not be confirmed because of the lack of coronary angiography. We herein report a case of heat stroke presenting with ST-segment elevation and cardiogenic shock. Coronary angiography was performed and coronary artery occlusive myocardial infarction was ruled out because of the presence of patent coronary arteries. Left ventriculography showed midventricular and apical hypokinesis, and stress-induced cardiomyopathy was then determined to be the appropriate diagnosis. Heat stroke causes increase of serum catecholamine levels, in which oversecretion and abnormal responses to catecholamines are a possible cause of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Catecholamines may therefore be the key in linking heat stroke and stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2011. Published by Mosby, Inc.

  1. Verification of multimarkers for detection of early stage diabetic retinopathy using multiple reaction monitoring.

    PubMed

    Kim, Kyunggon; Kim, Sang Jin; Han, Dohyun; Jin, Jonghwa; Yu, Jiyoung; Park, Kyong Soo; Yu, Hyeong Gon; Kim, Youngsoo

    2013-03-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes and 80% of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients whose DM duration is over 10 years can be expected to suffer with DR. The diagnosis of DR depends on an ophthalmological examination, and no molecular methods of screening DR status exist. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the early DR which is hard to be noticed in early NPDR, showing significant cause of adult blindness in type 2 diabetes patients. Protein biomarkers have been valuable in the diagnosis of disease and the use of multiple biomarkers has been suggested to overcome the low specificity of single ones. For biomarker development, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) has been spotlighted as an alternative method to quantify target proteins with no need for immunoassay. In this study, 54 candidate DR marker proteins from a previous study were verified by MRM in plasma samples from NPDR patients in 3 stages (mild, moderate and severe; 15 cases each) and diabetic patients without retinopathy (15 cases) as a control. Notably, 27 candidate markers distinguished moderate NPDR from type 2 diabetic patients with no diabetic retinopathy, generating AUC values (>0.7). Specifically, 28 candidate proteins underwent changes in expression as type 2 diabetic patients with no diabetic retinopathy progressed to mild and moderate NPDR. Further, a combination of 4 markers from these 28 candidates had the improved specificity in distinguishing moderate NPDR from type 2 diabetic patients with no diabetic retinopathy, yielding a merged AUC value of nearly 1.0. We concluded that MRM is a fast, robust approach of multimarker panel determination and an assay platform that provides improved specificity compared with single biomarker assay systems.

  2. Myocardial regeneration in adriamycin cardiomyopathy by nuclear expression of GLP1 using ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Shuyuan; Chen, Jiaxi; Huang, Pintong

    Recently GLP-1 was found to have cardioprotective effects independent of those attributable to tight glycemic control. Methods and results: We employed ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) to deliver piggybac transposon plasmids encoding the GLP-1 gene with a nuclear localizing signal to rat hearts with adriamycin cardiomyopathy. After a single UTMD treatment, overexpression of transgenic GLP-1 was found in nuclei of rat heart cells with evidence that transfected cardiac cells had undergone proliferation. UTMD-GLP-1 gene therapy restored LV mass, fractional shortening index, and LV posterior wall diameter to nearly normal. Nuclear overexpression of GLP-1 by inducing phosphorylation of FoxO1-S256 and translocationmore » of FoxO1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm significantly inactivated FoxO1 and activated the expression of cyclin D1 in nuclei of cardiac muscle cells. Reversal of adriamycin cardiomyopathy appeared to be mediated by dedifferentiation and proliferation of nuclear FoxO1-positive cardiac muscle cells with evidence of embryonic stem cell markers (OCT4, Nanog, SOX2 and c-kit), cardiac early differentiation markers (NKX2.5 and ISL-1) and cellular proliferation markers (BrdU and PHH3) after UTMD with GLP-1 gene therapy. Conclusions: Intranuclear myocardial delivery of the GLP-1gene can reverse established adriamycin cardiomyopathy by stimulating myocardial regeneration. - Highlights: • The activation of nuclear FoxO1 in cardiac muscle cells associated with adriamycin cardiomyopathy. • Myocardial nuclear GLP-1 stimulates myocardial regeneration and reverses adriamycin cardiomyopathy. • The process of myocardial regeneration associated with dedifferentiation and proliferation.« less

  3. Exome Sequencing Identifies Mitochondrial Alanyl-tRNA Synthetase Mutations in Infantile Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Götz, Alexandra; Tyynismaa, Henna; Euro, Liliya; Ellonen, Pekka; Hyötyläinen, Tuulia; Ojala, Tiina; Hämäläinen, Riikka H.; Tommiska, Johanna; Raivio, Taneli; Oresic, Matej; Karikoski, Riitta; Tammela, Outi; Simola, Kalle O.J.; Paetau, Anders; Tyni, Tiina; Suomalainen, Anu

    2011-01-01

    Infantile cardiomyopathies are devastating fatal disorders of the neonatal period or the first year of life. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common cause of this group of diseases, but the underlying gene defects have been characterized in only a minority of cases, because tissue specificity of the manifestation hampers functional cloning and the heterogeneity of causative factors hinders collection of informative family materials. We sequenced the exome of a patient who died at the age of 10 months of hypertrophic mitochondrial cardiomyopathy with combined cardiac respiratory chain complex I and IV deficiency. Rigorous data analysis allowed us to identify a homozygous missense mutation in AARS2, which we showed to encode the mitochondrial alanyl-tRNA synthetase (mtAlaRS). Two siblings from another family, both of whom died perinatally of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, had the same mutation, compound heterozygous with another missense mutation. Protein structure modeling of mtAlaRS suggested that one of the mutations affected a unique tRNA recognition site in the editing domain, leading to incorrect tRNA aminoacylation, whereas the second mutation severely disturbed the catalytic function, preventing tRNA aminoacylation. We show here that mutations in AARS2 cause perinatal or infantile cardiomyopathy with near-total combined mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency in the heart. Our results indicate that exome sequencing is a powerful tool for identifying mutations in single patients and allows recognition of the genetic background in single-gene disorders of variable clinical manifestation and tissue-specific disease. Furthermore, we show that mitochondrial disorders extend to prenatal life and are an important cause of early infantile cardiac failure. PMID:21549344

  4. Diffuse diseases of the myocardium: MRI-pathologic review of cardiomyopathies with dilatation.

    PubMed

    Giesbrandt, Kirk J; Bolan, Candice W; Shapiro, Brian P; Edwards, William D; Mergo, Patricia J

    2013-03-01

    In this radiologic-pathologic review of the cardiomyopathies, we present the pertinent imaging findings of diffuse myocardial diseases that are associated with ventricular dilatation, including ischemic cardiomyopathy, nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac sarcoidosis, and iron overload cardiomyopathy. Correlation of the key radiologic findings with gross and microscopic pathologic features is presented, to provide the reader with a focused and in-depth review of the pathophysiology underlying each entity and the basis for the corresponding imaging characteristics.

  5. Genetic basis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Karmouch, Jennifer; Protonotarios, Alexandros; Syrris, Petros

    2018-05-01

    To date 16 genes have been associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Mutations in these genes can lead to a broad spectrum of phenotypic expression ranging from disease affecting predominantly the right or left ventricle, to biventricular subtypes. Understanding the genetic causes of ACM is important in diagnosis and management of the disorder. This review summarizes recent advances in molecular genetics and discusses the application of next-generation sequencing technology in genetic testing in ACM. Use of next-generation sequencing methods has resulted in the identification of novel causative variants and genes for ACM. The involvement of filamin C in ACM demonstrates the genetic overlap between ACM and other types of cardiomyopathy. Putative pathogenic variants have been detected in cadherin 2 gene, a protein involved in cell adhesion. Large genomic rearrangements in desmosome genes have been systematically investigated in a cohort of ACM patients. Recent studies have identified novel causes of ACM providing new insights into the genetic spectrum of the disease and highlighting an overlapping phenotype between ACM and dilated cardiomyopathy. Next-generation sequencing is a useful tool for research and genetic diagnostic screening but interpretation of identified sequence variants requires caution and should be performed in specialized centres.

  6. Determinants of Thyrotoxic Cardiomyopathy Recovery

    PubMed Central

    Oliveros-Ruiz, Lucia; Vallejo, Maite; Diez Canseco, L. Fernando; Cárdenas, Manuel; Hermosillo, J. Antonio G.

    2013-01-01

    The purpose was to evaluate the effect of the disease duration prior to treatment, thyroid hormones level, or both on the reversibility of dilated cardiomyopathy. Between January 2006 and December 2010, a longitudinal study with a 6 months follow-up was carried on. One hundred and seventy patients with hyperthyroidism were referred to the cardiologist, and 127 had a 6 months followup after antithyroid treatment and were evaluated by echocardiography. Dilated cardiomyopathy reversibility criteria were established according to echocardiographic parameters. Complete reversibility existed when all parameters were met, partial reversibility when LVEF was ≥55% plus two or three other parameters, and no reversibility when LVEF was ≤55% regardless of other parameters. The results showed that echocardiography parameters related to the regression of myocardial mass were associated with a disease duration shorter than 10.38 months. This was the main predictive variable for reversal of dilated cardiomyopathy, followed by β-blocker treatment, and the last predictive variable was the serum level of free triiodothyronine. This study showed that the effect on the myocardium related to thyrotoxicosis was associated with the disease duration before treatment. PMID:24106705

  7. Involvement of ciliary neurotrophic factor in early diabetic retinal neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Ma, Mingming; Xu, Yupeng; Xiong, Shuyu; Zhang, Jian; Gu, Qing; Ke, Bilian; Xu, Xun

    2018-05-23

    Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been evaluated as a candidate therapeutic agent for diabetes and its neural complications. However, its role in diabetic retinopathy has not been fully elucidated. This is a randomized unblinded animal experiment. Wistar rats with streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were regularly injected with CNTF or vehicle control in their vitreous bodies beginning at 2 weeks after STZ injection. A total of five injections were used. In diabetic rats, the levels of CNTF and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and real-time PCR. The abundance of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and β-III tubulin was detected by western blot. Transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining (TUNEL) was used to detect cell apoptosis in the retinal tissue. The activation of caspase-3 was also measured. The protein and mRNA levels of CNTF in diabetic rat retinas were reduced compared to control rats. In addition, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and dopaminergic amacrine cells appeared to undergo degeneration in diabetic rat retinas, as revealed by transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining (TUNEL). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and β-III tubulin protein levels also decreased significantly. Intraocular administration of CNTF rescued RGCs and dopaminergic amacrine cells from neurodegeneration and counteracted the downregulation of β-III tubulin and TH expression, thus demonstrating its therapeutic potential. Our study suggests that early diabetic retinal neuropathy involves the reduced expression of CNTF and can be ameliorated by an exogenous supply of this neurotrophin.

  8. Causes of Pediatric Cardiomyopathy

    MedlinePlus

    ... pediatric cardiomyopathy. Mutations are defects in the DNA spiral, the protein structure of many genes. The abnormalities ... in the future there will be a clinical method to identify carriers of the gene within affected ...

  9. Reversible catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy due to pheochromocytoma: case report.

    PubMed

    Satendra, Milan; de Jesus, Cláudia; Bordalo e Sá, Armando L; Rosário, Luís; Rocha, José; Bicha Castelo, Henrique; Correia, Maria José; Nunes Diogo, António

    2014-03-01

    Pheochromocytoma is a tumor originating from chromaffin tissue. It commonly presents with symptoms and signs of catecholamine excess, such as hypertension, tachycardia, headache and sweating. Cardiovascular manifestations include catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, which may present as severe left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure. We report a case of pheochromocytoma which was diagnosed following investigation of dilated cardiomyopathy. We highlight the dramatic symptomatic improvement and reversal of cardiomyopathy, with recovery of left ventricular function after treatment. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

  10. Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy is an inflammatory disease that occurs in approximately 30% of patients infected by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and it has a profile of high morbidity and mortality. The worst prognosis and the progression of this cardiomyopathy are associated with an exacerbated immune response and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which also occur in other cardiomyopathies. Some nutrients, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), promote the inhibition and/or stimulation of cytokine production. The objective of this trial is to study the effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on the inflammatory response and lipid profile in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Methods/Design This is a parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial with 40 patients that will be conducted at a reference unit for Chagas disease patients, where the patients will be selected. The study will include patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy who are 18 years of age or older. The exclusion criteria are (a) ongoing diarrheal disease, (b) inflammatory bowel disease, (c) diabetes or other endocrine disease, (d) use of fibrates, niacin, or statins, (e) use of anti-inflammatory drugs, (f) pregnant and lactating women, (g) use of vitamin, mineral, or omega-3 supplementation during the previous 30 days, (h) hospital admission during the study, and (i) other associated cardiomyopathies. The intervention will be treatment with omega-3 PUFAs at a dose of 3 g/day for 8 weeks, compared to placebo (corn oil). The primary endpoints will be the concentrations of inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interferon (IFN)γ, and transforming growth factor (TGF)β). Secondary endpoints will be the fasting glucose, lipid, and anthropometric profiles. For statistical analysis, we plan to run either a t test or Wilcoxon test (numerical variables) and

  11. Effect of acarbose to delay progression of carotid intima-media thickness in early diabetes.

    PubMed

    Patel, Y R; Kirkman, M S; Considine, R V; Hannon, T S; Mather, K J

    2013-10-01

    The anti-diabetic agent acarbose reduces postprandial glucose excursions. We have evaluated the effect of randomized treatment with acarbose on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in early diabetes. The Early Diabetes Intervention Program was a randomized trial of acarbose versus placebo in 219 participants with early diabetes characterized by glucose values over 11.1 mmol/L 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose load and a mean HbA1c of 6.3%. IMT was measured at baseline and yearly. Follow-up was discontinued if participants progressed to the study glucose endpoints; IMT readings were available for a median of 2 years, with 72 subjects followed for 5 years. Progressive increases in IMT were seen in both treatment groups, but progression was reduced in participants randomized to acarbose (p = 0.047). In age, sex and smoking-adjusted analyses, IMT progression was associated with greater fasting and oral glucose tolerance test-excursion glucose, fasting insulin, cholesterol and glycated low-density lipoprotein concentrations. IMT progression was reduced with study-related changes in weight, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids; these features were more strongly associated with reduced IMT progression than acarbose treatment. Despite strong associations of baseline glycemia with IMT progression, study-related changes in glucose were not important determinants of IMT progression. Acarbose can delay progression of carotid intima-media thickness in early diabetes defined by an oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose, weight, insulin and lipids contributed to risk of progression but reductions in glycemia were not major determinants of reduced rate of IMT progression. Vascular benefits of acarbose may be independent of its glycemic effects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  12. Fatal arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in 2 related subadult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

    PubMed

    Tong, L J; Flach, E J; Sheppard, M N; Pocknell, A; Banerjee, A A; Boswood, A; Bouts, T; Routh, A; Feltrer, Y

    2014-07-01

    Cardiovascular disease is increasingly recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). This report records 2 cases of sudden cardiac death in closely related subadult captive chimpanzees with marked replacement fibrosis and adipocyte infiltration of the myocardium, which resemble specific atypical forms of the familial human disease arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Changes were consistent with left-dominant and biventricular subtypes, which are both phenotypic variants found within human families with familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Previously reported fibrosing cardiomyopathies in chimpanzees were characterized by nonspecific interstitial fibrosis, in contrast to the replacement fibrofatty infiltration with predilection for the outer myocardium seen in these 2 cases. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first to describe cardiomyopathy resembling arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in nonhuman primates and the first to describe left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy-type lesions in an animal. © The Author(s) 2013.

  13. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A known unknown foe of asthma.

    PubMed

    Kotsiou, Ourania S; Douras, Alexandros; Makris, Demosthenes; Mpaka, Nikoleta; Gourgoulianis, Konstantinos I

    2017-10-01

    Patients with uncontrolled asthma are at a greater risk of asthma attacks requiring emergency room visits or hospital admissions. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is potentially a significant complication in a course of status asthmaticus. We describe a 43-year-old female patient who presented with status asthmaticus that was further complicated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Recognizing apical ballooning syndrome is challenging in patients with a history of respiratory disease because the symptoms of the last entity may complicate the diagnostic approach. It is difficult to distinguish clinically apical ballooning syndrome from the acute airway exacerbation itself. Both asthma and takotsubo cardiomyopathy share the same clinical presentation with dyspnea and chest tightness. In our patient, the electrocardiographic abnormalities, the rapidly reversible distinctive characteristics of echocardiography, and the modest elevation of serum cardiac biomarkers levels, in combination with the presence of a stress trigger (severe asthma attack), strongly supported the diagnosis of broken heart syndrome. Clinicians should re-evaluate asthma management and be aware of the complications associated with asthma attacks such as stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

  14. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Cork, David P.; Mehrotra, Amit K.; Gomberg-Maitland, Mardi

    2012-01-01

    Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal disease. Intravenous prostanoids are often utilized for long-term management of patients. The therapy requires a significant commitment and change in lifestyle for both the patient and family. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, transient apical ballooning syndrome, has been reported in association with emotional and physical stress. This case report describes a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after treatment initiation with intravenous treprostinil. Over time, the syndrome resolved and the patient had return of normal left ventricular function. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy should be recognized as a potential, rare complication of therapy initiation due to the severity of the illness and the emotional stress of the disease. PMID:23130109

  15. Animal Models of Congenital Cardiomyopathies Associated With Mutations in Z-Line Proteins.

    PubMed

    Bang, Marie-Louise

    2017-01-01

    The cardiac Z-line at the boundary between sarcomeres is a multiprotein complex connecting the contractile apparatus with the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The Z-line is important for efficient force generation and transmission as well as the maintenance of structural stability and integrity. Furthermore, it is a nodal point for intracellular signaling, in particular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Mutations in various genes encoding Z-line proteins have been associated with different cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular noncompaction, and mutations even within the same gene can cause widely different pathologies. Animal models have contributed to a great advancement in the understanding of the physiological function of Z-line proteins and the pathways leading from mutations in Z-line proteins to cardiomyopathy, although genotype-phenotype prediction remains a great challenge. This review presents an overview of the currently available animal models for Z-line and Z-line associated proteins involved in human cardiomyopathies with special emphasis on knock-in and transgenic mouse models recapitulating the clinical phenotypes of human cardiomyopathy patients carrying mutations in Z-line proteins. Pros and cons of mouse models will be discussed and a future outlook will be given. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 38-52, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Early Implantation of Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Severe Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Voskoboinik, Aleksandr; Bloom, Jason; Taylor, Andrew; Mariani, Justin

    2016-09-01

    Primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in selected patients with severe systolic dysfunction. Current guidelines suggest a 3- to 6-month waiting period before implantation. We retrospectively studied 29 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) who underwent primary prevention ICD implantation within 6 months of diagnosis between January 2008 and April 2014. Cardiac MRI (CMR) evaluated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and regional fibrosis preimplant. The primary end point was "failure to qualify for an ICD at 12 months postimplant," either due to LVEF ≥ 35% or deterioration necessitating mechanical support or transplantation, without appropriate ICD therapy. Secondary end points were appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapy. Baseline mean age was 44.2 ± 14.8 years and median LVEF 16.4%. Median time from diagnosis to implant was 32 days. At 12 months, 17 patients (58.6%) no longer qualified for an ICD, mainly due to LVEF improvement. At follow-up (mean 32.0 ± 20.6 months), three patients received appropriate therapy (one for ventricular fibrillation). All three had CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) preimplant. Cardiac resynchronization at implant predicted LVEF improvement. Early appropriate therapy, particularly for ventricular fibrillation, is infrequent for patients with very severe NICM who have ICDs implanted within 6 months of diagnosis. The majority of these patients would not qualify for an ICD at 12 months postinsertion. In the absence of a multimodality risk score, early ICD insertion should only be considered in selected cases (presence of LGE and NSVT). Wearable cardioverter defibrillators may have a role as a bridge to ICD decision. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Insufficient sensitivity of hemoglobin A(₁C) determination in diagnosis or screening of early diabetic states.

    PubMed

    Fajans, Stefan S; Herman, William H; Oral, Elif A

    2011-01-01

    An International Expert Committee made recommendations for using the hemoglobin A(₁C) (A1C) assay as the preferred method for the diagnosis of diabetes in nonpregnant individuals. A concentration of at least 6.5% was considered as diagnostic. It is the aim of this study to compare the sensitivity of A1C with that of plasma glucose concentrations in subjects with early diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We chose 2 groups of subjects who had A1C not exceeding 6.4%. The first group of 89 subjects had family histories of diabetes (MODY or type 2 diabetes mellitus) and had oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and A1C determinations. They included 36 subjects with diabetes or IGT and 53 with normal OGTT. The second group of 58 subjects was screened for diabetes in our Diabetes Clinic by fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose, or OGTT and A1C; and similar comparisons were made. Subjects with diabetes or IGT, including those with fasting hyperglycemia, had A1C ranging from 5.0% to 6.4% (mean, 5.8%). The subjects with normal OGTT had A1C of 4.2% to 6.3% (mean, 5.4%), or 5.5% for the 2 groups. The A1C may be in the normal range in subjects with diabetes or IGT, including those with fasting hyperglycemia. Approximately one third of subjects with early diabetes and IGT have A1C less than 5.7%, the cut point that the American Diabetes Association recommends as indicating the onset of risk of developing diabetes in the future. The results of our study are similar to those obtained by a large Dutch epidemiologic study. If our aim is to recognize early diabetic states to apply effective prophylactic procedures to prevent or delay progression to more severe diabetes, A1C is not sufficiently sensitive or reliable for diagnosis of diabetes or IGT. A combination of A1C and plasma glucose determinations, where necessary, is recommended for diagnosis or screening of diabetes or IGT. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  18. Dilated cardiomyopathy and sinoatrial dysfunction in an Estrela mountain dog.

    PubMed

    Lobo, Luis; Pinheiro-Vieira, António; Gomes, João L; Canada, Nuno; Ribeiro, Lenio; Costa, Paulo D; Oliveira, Pedro; Bussadori, Claudio

    2012-01-01

    A 1 yr old male Estrela mountain dog was evaluated as a part of a screening program for dilated cardiomyopathy. The dog came from a family with a history of dilated cardiomyopathy but was asymptomatic. Occult dilated cardiomyopathy and sino-atrial dysfunction were diagnosed based on echocardiography and electrocardiography. These two disorders may be associated given that related dogs have been diagnosed with the same disorders. The dog has remained asymptomatic for 4 years following initial evaluation.

  19. NGS testing for cardiomyopathy: Utility of adding RASopathy-associated genes.

    PubMed

    Ceyhan-Birsoy, Ozge; Miatkowski, Maya M; Hynes, Elizabeth; Funke, Birgit H; Mason-Suares, Heather

    2018-04-25

    RASopathies include a group of syndromes caused by pathogenic germline variants in RAS-MAPK pathway genes and typically present with facial dysmorphology, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal anomalies. Recently, variants in RASopathy-associated genes have been reported in individuals with apparently nonsyndromic cardiomyopathy, suggesting that subtle features may be overlooked. To determine the utility and burden of adding RASopathy-associated genes to cardiomyopathy panels, we tested 11 RASopathy-associated genes by next-generation sequencing (NGS), including NGS-based copy number variant assessment, in 1,111 individuals referred for genetic testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Disease-causing variants were identified in 0.6% (four of 692) of individuals with HCM, including three missense variants in the PTPN11, SOS1, and BRAF genes. Overall, 36 variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) were identified, averaging ∼3VUSs/100 cases. This study demonstrates that adding a subset of the RASopathy-associated genes to cardiomyopathy panels will increase clinical diagnoses without significantly increasing the number of VUSs/case. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Early detection and prevention of diabetic nephropathy: a challenge calling for mandatory action for Mexico and the developing world.

    PubMed

    Correa-Rotter, Ricardo; González-Michaca, Luis

    2005-09-01

    During the last decades, developing countries have experienced an epidemiologic transition characterized by a reduction of infectious diseases and an increase of chronic degenerative diseases. This situation is generating tormenting public health, financial, and social consequences. Of particular relevance is type 2 diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications, particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetic nephropathy, because mortality of the patient with diabetes is, in most instances, related to these complications. There is a clear need to implement diagnostic and treatment strategies to reduce risk factors for development of diabetes (primary prevention), to detect risk factors of chronic complications in early stages of diabetes (secondary prevention), and to prevent further progression of those that already have renal injury (tertiary prevention). Microalbuminuria is an early marker of renal injury in diabetes, and its early detection can help the timely use of renal preventive measures, which would avoid the extremely high costs of renal replacement treatment for end-stage renal disease as well as that of other cardiovascular complications. Preventive strategies are of very little or no impact, if the primary physician has limited knowledge about the natural history of diabetic nephropathy, the beneficial effect of early preventive maneuvers for delaying its progression, and the social and economic impact of end-stage renal disease. It is therefore imperative to assure in our health systems that general practitioners have the ability and commitment to detect early diabetes complications, in order to promote actions that support regression or retard highly morbid cardiovascular and renal conditions.

  1. Diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Progress and Pitfalls.

    PubMed

    Oomen, Ad W G J; Semsarian, Christopher; Puranik, Rajesh; Sy, Raymond W

    2018-04-04

    Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy that predominantly affects the right ventricle. With a prevalence in the range of 1:5000 to 1:2000 persons, ARVC is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in young people and in athletes. Although early detection and treatment is important, the diagnosis of ARVC remains challenging. There is no single pathognomonic diagnostic finding in ARVC; rather, current international task force criteria specify diagnostic major and minor criteria in six categories: right ventricular imaging (including echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), histology, repolarisation abnormalities, depolarisation and conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias and family history (including genetic testing). Combining findings from differing diagnostic modalities can establish a "definite", "borderline" or "possible" diagnosis of ARVC. However, there are limitations inherent in the current task force criteria, including the lack of specificity for ARVC; future iterations may be improved, for example, by enhanced imaging protocols able to detect subtle changes in the structure and function of the right ventricle, incorporation of electro-anatomical data, response to adrenergic challenge, and validated criteria for interpreting genetic variants. Copyright © 2018 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Early Intervention of Didang Decoction on MLCK Signaling Pathways in Vascular Endothelial Cells of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Song, Zhenqiang; Li, Jing; Li, Chunshen

    2016-01-01

    In the study, type 2 diabetic rat model was established using streptozotocin (STZ) combined with a high-fat diet, and the rats were divided into control and diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were further divided into nonintervening, simvastatin, Didang Decoction (DDD) early-phase intervening, DDD mid-phase intervening, and DDD late-phase intervening groups. The expression level of MLCK was detected using Western Blot analysis, and the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase C (PKC), and protein kinase A (PKA) were examined using Real Time PCR. Under the electron microscope, the cells in the early-DDD-intervention group and the simvastatin group were significantly more continuous and compact than those in the diabetic group. Compared with the control group, the expression of cAMP-1 and PKA was decreased in all diabetic groups, whereas the expression of MLCK and PKC was increased in early- and mid-phase DDD-intervening groups (P < 0.05); compared with the late-phase DDD-intervening group, the expression of cAMP-1 and PKA was higher, but the level of MLCK and PKC was lower in early-phase DDD-intervening group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the early use of DDD improves the permeability of vascular endothelial cells by regulating the MLCK signaling pathway. PMID:27703477

  3. HAIR FOLLICLE CHARACTERISTICS AS EARLY MARKER OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

    PubMed Central

    Miranda, J. Jaime; Taype-Rondan, Alvaro; Tapia, Jose Carlos; Gastanadui-Gonzalez, Maria Gabriela; Roman-Carpio, Ricardo

    2016-01-01

    Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) includes a continuum of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia that causes several chronic long-term complications such as coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, nephropathy, and neuropathy. The hair follicle could reveal signs of early vascular impairment, yet its relationship to early metabolic injuries has been largely ignored. We propose that in earlier stages of the continuum of DM2-related metabolic disorders, a group of susceptible patients who do not yet meet the diagnostic criteria to be considered as persons with DM2 may present chronic vascular impairment and end organ damage, including hair follicle damage, which can be evaluated to identify an early risk marker. This hypothesis is based in the association found between insulin resistance and alopecia in non-diabetic persons, and the hair loss on the lower limbs as a manifestation of long-term peripheral arterial disease among subjects with DM2. In order to test this hypothesis, studies are required to evaluate if hair follicle characteristics are related to and can predict hyperglycemic complications, and if they do so, which feature of the hair follicle, such as hair growth, best characterizes such DM2-related conditions. If this hypothesis were proven to be true, significant advances towards a personalized approach for early prevention strategies and management of DM2 would be made. By focusing on the hair follicles, early stages of metabolic-related organ damage could be identified using non-invasive low-cost techniques. In so doing, this approach could provide early identification of DM2-susceptible individuals and lead to the early initiation of adequate primary prevention strategies to reduce or avoid the onset of large internal organ damage. PMID:27692164

  4. Hair follicle characteristics as early marker of Type 2 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Miranda, J Jaime; Taype-Rondan, Alvaro; Tapia, Jose Carlos; Gastanadui-Gonzalez, Maria Gabriela; Roman-Carpio, Ricardo

    2016-10-01

    Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) includes a continuum of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia that causes several chronic long-term complications such as coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, nephropathy, and neuropathy. The hair follicle could reveal signs of early vascular impairment, yet its relationship to early metabolic injuries has been largely ignored. We propose that in earlier stages of the continuum of DM2-related metabolic disorders, a group of susceptible patients who do not yet meet the diagnostic criteria to be considered as persons with DM2 may present chronic vascular impairment and end organ damage, including hair follicle damage, which can be evaluated to identify an early risk marker. This hypothesis is based in the association found between insulin resistance and alopecia in non-diabetic persons, and the hair loss on the lower limbs as a manifestation of long-term peripheral arterial disease among subjects with DM2. In order to test this hypothesis, studies are required to evaluate if hair follicle characteristics are related to and can predict hyperglycemic complications, and if they do so, which feature of the hair follicle, such as hair growth, best characterizes such DM2-related conditions. If this hypothesis were proven to be true, significant advances towards a personalized approach for early prevention strategies and management of DM2 would be made. By focusing on the hair follicles, early stages of metabolic-related organ damage could be identified using non-invasive low-cost techniques. In so doing, this approach could provide early identification of DM2-susceptible individuals and lead to the early initiation of adequate primary prevention strategies to reduce or avoid the onset of large internal organ damage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Series Challenging the Mayo Clinic Definition.

    PubMed

    Christodoulidis, Georgios; Kundoor, Vishwa; Kaluski, Edo

    2017-08-28

    BACKGROUND Various physical and emotional factors have been previously described as triggers for stress induced cardiomyopathy. However, acute myocardial infarction as a trigger has never been reported. CASE REPORT We describe four patients who presented with an acute myocardial infarction, in whom the initial echocardiography revealed wall motion abnormalities extending beyond the coronary distribution of the infarct artery. Of the four patients identified, the mean age was 59 years; three patients were women and two patients had underlying psychiatric history. Electrocardiogram revealed ST elevation in the anterior leads in three patients; QTc was prolonged in all cases. All patients had ≤ moderately elevated troponin. Single culprit lesion was found uniformly in the proximal or mid left anterior descending artery. Initial echocardiography revealed severely reduced ejection fraction with relative sparing of the basal segments, whereas early repeat echocardiography revealed significant improvement in the left ventricular function in all patients. CONCLUSIONS This is the first case series demonstrating that acute myocardial infarction can trigger stress induced cardiomyopathy. Extensive reversible wall motion abnormalities, beyond the ones expected from angiography, accompanied by modest elevation in troponin and marked QTc prolongation, suggest superimposed stress induced cardiomyopathy.

  6. Pathogenesis of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Asimaki, Angeliki; Kleber, Andre G.; Saffitz, Jeffrey E.

    2015-01-01

    Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a primary myocardial disease. It is characterized by frequent ventricular arrhythmias and increased risk of sudden cardiac death typically arising as an early manifestation before the onset of significant myocardial remodeling. Myocardial degeneration, often confined to the right ventricular free wall, with replacement by fibrofatty scar tissue, develops in many patients. ACM is a familial disease but genetic penetrance can be low and disease expression is highly variable. Inflammation may promote disease progression. It also appears that exercise increases disease penetrance and accelerates its development. More than 60% of probands harbor mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins, which has raised the possibility that defective cell-cell adhesion may play a role in disease pathogenesis. Recent advances have implicated changes in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo signaling pathways and defects in forwarding trafficking of ion channels and other proteins to the intercalated disk in cardiac myocytes. This review summarizes current understanding of the pathogenesis of ACM and highlights future research directions. PMID:26199027

  7. Spontaneous diabetes mellitus in captive Mandrillus sphinx monkeys: a case report.

    PubMed

    Pirarat, N; Kesdangsakolwut, S; Chotiapisitkul, S; Assarasakorn, S

    2008-06-01

    Case history The two obese mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) showed clinical signs of depression, anorexia, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, glucosuria, proteinuria and ketonuria. Septic bed sore wounds were noted on both fore and hind limbs. Results Histopathological study revealed severe islet amyloidosis in both mandrills. Immunohistochemical study using polyclonal anti-cat amylin antibody confirmed derivation of the islet amyloid from islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Cardiomyopathy and myocardial fibrosis were also evident. Conclusions The present study documents diabetes mellitus in two obese mandrills. Diabetes in these animals had features very similar type 2 diabetes mellitus of humans, including the development of severe, IAPP-derived islet amyloidosis. The mandrill may, therefore, serve as an animal model of human type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  8. Chloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy: a reversible cause of heart failure.

    PubMed

    Yogasundaram, Haran; Hung, Whitney; Paterson, Ian D; Sergi, Consolato; Oudit, Gavin Y

    2018-06-01

    Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are anti-rheumatic medications frequently used in the treatment of connective tissue disorders. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with CQ-induced cardiomyopathy leading to severe heart failure. Electrocardiographic abnormalities included bifascicular block, while structural disease consisted of severe biventricular and biatrial hypertrophy. Appropriate diagnosis via endomyocardial biopsy led to cessation of CQ and subsequent dramatic improvement in symptoms and structural heart disease. Cardiac toxicity is an under-recognized adverse effect of CQ/HCQ leading to cardiomyopathy with concentric hypertrophy and conduction abnormalities, with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Predisposing factors for CQ/HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy have been proposed. CQ/HCQ cardiomyopathy is a phenocopy of Fabry disease, and α-galactosidase A polymorphism may account for some heterogeneity of disease presentation. © 2018 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

  9. Neuroretinal alterations in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Carpineto, P; Toto, L; Aloia, R; Ciciarelli, V; Borrelli, E; Vitacolonna, E; Di Nicola, M; Di Antonio, L; Mastropasqua, R

    2016-05-01

    PurposeTo study neuroretinal alterations in patients affected by type 2 diabetes with no diabetic retinopathy (DR) or mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and without any sign of diabetic macular edema.Patients and methodsIn total, 150 type 2 diabetic patients with no (131 eyes) or mild NPDR (19 eyes) and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. All underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including Spectral-Domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness values were calculated after automated segmentation of SD-OCT scans.ResultsMean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.0±0.0 LogMAR in all the groups. Mean GC-IPL thickness was 80.6±8.1 μm in diabetic patients and 85.3±9.9 μm in healthy controls, respectively (P=0.001). Moreover, evaluating the two different diabetic groups, GC-IPL thickness was 80.7±8.1 μm and 79.7±8.8 μm in no-DR and mild-NPDR group (P=0.001 and P=0.022 compared with healthy controls, respectively). Average RNFL thickness was 86.1±10.1 μm in diabetes patients and 91.2±7.3 μm in controls, respectively (P=0.003). RNFL thickness was 86.4±10.2 μm in no-DR group and 84.1±9.4 μm in mild-NPDR group (P=0.007 and P=0.017 compared with healthy controls, respectively).ConclusionWe demonstrated a significantly reduced GC-IPL and RNFL thickness values in both no-DR and mild-NPDR groups compared with healthy controls. These data confirmed neuroretinal alterations are early in diabetes, preceding microvascular damages.

  10. Renal tubular ACE-mediated tubular injury is the major contributor to microalbuminuria in early diabetic nephropathy.

    PubMed

    Eriguchi, Masahiro; Lin, Mercury; Yamashita, Michifumi; Zhao, Tuantuan V; Khan, Zakir; Bernstein, Ellen A; Gurley, Susan B; Gonzalez-Villalobos, Romer A; Bernstein, Kenneth E; Giani, Jorge F

    2018-04-01

    Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of end-stage renal disease in developed countries. While angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat diabetic nephropathy, how intrarenal ACE contributes to diabetic renal injury is uncertain. Here, two mouse models with different patterns of renal ACE expression were studied to determine the specific contribution of tubular vs. glomerular ACE to early diabetic nephropathy: it-ACE mice, which make endothelial ACE but lack ACE expression by renal tubular epithelium, and ACE 3/9 mice, which lack endothelial ACE and only express renal ACE in tubular epithelial cells. The absence of endothelial ACE normalized the glomerular filtration rate and endothelial injury in diabetic ACE 3/9 mice. However, these mice developed tubular injury and albuminuria and displayed low renal levels of megalin that were similar to those observed in diabetic wild-type mice. In diabetic it-ACE mice, despite hyperfiltration, the absence of renal tubular ACE greatly reduced tubulointerstitial injury and albuminuria and increased renal megalin expression compared with diabetic wild-type and diabetic ACE 3/9 mice. These findings demonstrate that endothelial ACE is a central regulator of the glomerular filtration rate while tubular ACE is a key player in the development of tubular injury and albuminuria. These data suggest that tubular injury, rather than hyperfiltration, is the main cause of microalbuminuria in early diabetic nephropathy.

  11. Is Internet use associated with anxiety in patients with and at risk for cardiomyopathy?

    PubMed

    Minto, Clara; Bauce, Barbara; Calore, Chiara; Rigato, Ilaria; Folino, Franco; Soriani, Nicola; Hochdorn, Alexander; Iliceto, Sabino; Gregori, Dario

    2015-07-01

    The aim of the study was to determine the relation between online health information seeking behavior and anxiety level among a sample of patients with manifested cardiomyopathy or at risk for cardiomyopathy. The research is a cross-sectional study conducted among 104 patients with cardiomyopathy diagnosis and patients at risk for cardiomyopathy. Patients completed 3 different questionnaires: Use of Internet Health Information questionnaire about the use of Internet, Short Form SF-12 items questionnaire on quality of life, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measuring general anxiety levels. Forty-eight patients had a diagnosis of primary or secondary cardiomyopathy, and 56 patients, with conditions predisposing to cardiomyopathy. Eighty-five percent of the considered population is surfing the Internet to obtain nonspecific information about health in general, and the 65% use it to look specifically for heart disease. For both groups of patients with cardiomyopathy and at risk for cardiomyopathy, online health information seeking behavior is associated with substantially lower state anxiety levels (P = .041). Web use, as a source of health information, has been shown to be associated with anxiety reduction in patients with or at risk for cardiomyopathy, suggesting that Internet technology can be a useful instrument due to its informational power and its potentially therapeutic value. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. The relationship between maternal serum iron and zinc levels and their nutritional intakes in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes.

    PubMed

    Behboudi-Gandevani, Samira; Safary, Kolsum; Moghaddam-Banaem, Lida; Lamyian, Minoor; Goshtasebi, Azita; Goshtasbi, Azita; Alian-Moghaddam, Narges

    2013-07-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal iron/zinc serum levels and their nutritional intake in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes. The maternal serum zinc/iron levels were measured in 1,033 healthy singleton pregnant women aged 20-35 between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation, within two groups: namely, normal and gestational diabetes, and participants were followed up to 24-28 weeks of gestation. Food frequency questionnaire was used to assess nutritional intakes of iron/zinc. The main outcome was gestational diabetes screened with the 50-g glucose challenge test and diagnosed with oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Gestational diabetes occurred in 72 (6.96 %) of 1,033 women in study. There was a statistical relationship between early pregnancy maternal serum iron and gestational diabetes, mean (SD), 143.8 (48.7) vs. 112.5 (83.5) μg/dl, P value of <0.0001. There was no statistical significant difference in zinc levels and iron/zinc nutritional intake between groups. The results remained unchanged after using regression model for adjustment of potential risk factors with an adjusted OR of 1.006 (95 % CI 1.002 to 1.009; P = 0.001) for early pregnancy maternal serum iron to cause gestational diabetes. The receiver-operator characteristic curve identified that a maternal serum iron above 100 μg/dl in early pregnancy is the optimum cutoff value for predicting gestational diabetes, which showed a sensitivity and specificity of 80.6 and 50.7 %, respectively. In conclusion, high maternal serum iron in early pregnancy could increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Also, it could be used as a sensitive and specific predictor for gestational diabetes.

  13. Secondary Coronary Artery Vasospasm Promotes Cardiomyopathy Progression

    PubMed Central

    Wheeler, Matthew T.; Korcarz, Claudia E.; Collins, Keith A.; Lapidos, Karen A.; Hack, Andrew A.; Lyons, Matthew R.; Zarnegar, Sara; Earley, Judy U.; Lang, Roberto M.; McNally, Elizabeth M.

    2004-01-01

    Genetic defects in the plasma membrane-associated sarcoglycan complex produce cardiomyopathy characterized by focal degeneration. The infarct-like pattern of cardiac degeneration has led to the hypothesis that coronary artery vasospasm underlies cardiomyopathy in this disorder. We evaluated the coronary vasculature of γ-sarcoglycan mutant mice and found microvascular filling defects consistent with arterial vasospasm. However, the vascular smooth muscle sarcoglycan complex was intact in the coronary arteries of γ-sarcoglycan hearts with perturbation of the sarcoglycan complex only within the adjacent myocytes. Thus, in this model, coronary artery vasospasm derives from a vascular smooth muscle-cell extrinsic process. To reduce this secondary vasospasm, we treated γ-sarcoglycan-deficient mice with the calcium channel antagonist verapamil. Verapamil treatment eliminated evidence of vasospasm and ameliorated histological and functional evidence of cardiomyopathic progression. Echocardiography of verapamil-treated, γ-sarcoglycan-null mice showed an improvement in left ventricular fractional shortening (44.3 ± 13.3% treated versus 37.4 ± 15.3% untreated), maximal velocity at the aortic outflow tract (114.9 ± 27.9 cm/second versus 92.8 ± 22.7 cm/second), and cardiac index (1.06 ± 0.30 ml/minute/g versus 0.67 ± 0.16 ml/minute/g, P < 0.05). These data indicate that secondary vasospasm contributes to the development of cardiomyopathy and is an important therapeutic target to limit cardiomyopathy progression. PMID:14982859

  14. Dendrobium officinale Prevents Early Complications in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Hou, Shao-zhen; Liang, Chu-yan; Liu, Hua-zhen; Zhu, Dong-mei; Wu, Ya-yun; Liang, Jian; Zhao, Ya; Guo, Jian-ru; Huang, Song; Lai, Xiao-Ping

    2016-01-01

    Background. Dendrobium officinale (DO) Kimura et Migo is a precious Chinese herb that is considered beneficial for health due to its antioxidant and antidiabetes properties, and so on. In this research, we try to determine the preventive effect of DO on the early complications of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods. Type 1 diabetic rats were produced with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). DO (1 g/kg/day) was then orally administered for 5 weeks. Blood glucose, TC, TG, BUN, CREA, and GSH-PX levels were determined, and electroretinographic activity and hypoalgesia were investigated. Pathological sections of the eyes, hearts, aortas, kidneys, and livers were analyzed. Results. Treatment with DO significantly attenuated the serum levels of TC, TG, BUN, and CREA, markedly increased the amplitudes of ERG a- and b-waves and Ops, and reduced the hypoalgesia and histopathological changes of vital organs induced by hyperglycemia. The protective effect of DO in diabetic rats may be associated with its antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the marked increase in the serum level of glutathione peroxidase. However, DO had no significant effect on blood glucose levels and bodyweight of diabetic rats. Conclusions. DO supplementation is an effective treatment to prevent STZ-induced diabetic complications. PMID:27034693

  15. Electrogastrography abnormalities appear early in children with diabetes type 1.

    PubMed

    Posfay-Barbe, Klara M; Lindley, Keith J; Schwitzgebel, Valérie M; Belli, Dominique C; Schäppi, Michela G

    2011-10-01

    The objective of the study was to evaluate gastric myoelectrical activity in young patients with diabetes and to correlate it with their metabolic control [fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and fructosamine] and BMI during a 3 years follow-up. Surface electrogastrography (EGG) was performed on 49 children with diabetes aged 10.3±4.4 (mean±SD) years and 17 age-matched healthy controls after fasting glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and fructosamine were measured. EGG parameters [percentage of bradygastria, 3 cycles per minute, tachygastria, dominant frequency instability coefficient, and power ratio] were analysed and compared with blood analysis. Patients with diabetes exhibited an increase in preprandial bradygastria 7.9±8.8 cpm (mean±SD) compared with controls 2.1±1.0 (P=0.011), with an associated decrease in preprandial normogastria (72.2±14.5 vs. 82.7±14.7; P=0.013). Normogastric power ratio (postprandial/ preprandial power) was significantly increased in the children with diabetes compared with controls (mean: 6.67 vs. 3.14, P=0.034). A longer duration of diabetes was associated with an increased risk of EGG abnormalities (P=0.036). Marked hyperglycaemia at the time of study was associated with postprandial bradygastria (P=0.01) and power ratio bradygastria (P=0.042). Changes in glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine and BMI did not affect EGG parameters. EGG abnormalities, presented early in a high proportion of diabetic children, are related to the acute hyperglycaemia. These abnormalities are not consistently present in the follow-up studies and not related to the glycosylated haemoglobin and fructosamine. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is therefore an unlikely pathogenic factor for EGG abnormalities in children with diabetes.

  16. Ameliorative effect of dietary genistein on diabetes induced hyper-inflammation and oxidative stress during early stage of wound healing in alloxan induced diabetic mice.

    PubMed

    Eo, Hyeyoon; Lee, Hea-Ji; Lim, Yunsook

    2016-09-23

    Among the diabetic complications, diabetic foot ulcer due to delayed wound healing is one of the most significant clinical problems. Early inflammatory stage is important for better prognosis during wound healing. Thus, regulation of inflammatory response during early stage of wound healing is main target for complete cutaneous recovery. This study investigated the role of genistein supplementation in inflammation and oxidative stress, which are related to NLRP3 inflammasome, NFκB and Nrf2 activation, during cutaneous wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Mice with diabetes with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels > 250 mg/dl were fed diets with AIN-93G rodent diet containing 0%, 0.025% (LG) or 0.1% (HG) genistein. After 2 weeks of genistein supplementation, excisional wounds were made by biopsy punches (4 mm). Genistein supplementation improved fasting glucose levels and wound closure rate. Moreover, genistein supplementation restored NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1) at the basal level and ameliorated both inflammation (TNFα, iNOS, COX2 and NFκB) and antioxidant defense system (Nrf2, HO-1, GPx, and catalase) during early stage of wound healing in diabetic mice. Taken together, genistein supplementation would be a potential therapeutic nutrient in prevention and treatment of delayed wound healing by modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress during inflammatory stage. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  17. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Update.

    PubMed

    Geske, Jeffrey B; Ommen, Steve R; Gersh, Bernard J

    2018-05-01

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heritable cardiomyopathy, manifesting as left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of a secondary cause. The genetic underpinnings of HCM arise largely from mutations of sarcomeric proteins; however, the specific underlying mutation often remains undetermined. Patient presentation is phenotypically diverse, ranging from asymptomatic to heart failure or sudden cardiac death. Left ventricular hypertrophy and abnormal ventricular configuration result in dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction in most patients. The goal of therapeutic interventions is largely to reduce dynamic obstruction, with treatment modalities spanning lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapies, and septal reduction therapies. A small subset of patients with HCM will experience sudden cardiac death, and risk stratification remains a clinical challenge. This paper presents a clinical update for diagnosis, family screening, clinical imaging, risk stratification, and management of symptoms in patients with HCM. Copyright © 2018 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Zumba-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report.

    PubMed

    Chams, Sana; El Sayegh, Skye; Hamdon, Mulham; Kumar, Sarwan; Kulairi, Zain

    2018-06-10

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of coronary occlusion. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism is still unclear but possible causes have been proposed mainly catecholamine cardiotoxicity, followed by metabolic disturbance, coronary microvascular impairment, and multivessel epicardial coronary artery vasospasm. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy accounts for 1-2% of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome with the majority of patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy being women > 55 years of age. Here, we discuss the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting with typical chest pain, electrocardiography changes and cardiac markers consistent with acute coronary syndrome, who was subsequently diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. A 38-year-old healthy American woman with negative past medical history presented to our Emergency Department with chest pain developing while participating in intense outdoor physical activities (Zumba) at a fundraising event. Our patient had typical substernal chest pain induced with exercise and was relieved by sublingual nitroglycerin in the Emergency Department. The pain started after 2 h of intensive Zumba workout. On review of her history, our patient was noted to be taking spironolactone 125 mg once daily for hirsutism for the past year. Our patient denied any family history of cardiac disease or heart failure. She admitted to being a former occasional smoker and to drinking alcohol socially. She denied any illicit drug use. She works as a social worker, and reported that she does not experience much stress in her life and denied any "one big life-changing event" or any major stressful news. While in the Emergency Department, our patient was hemodynamically stable and an electrocardiography was performed and showed sinus rhythm with no ST elevation/depression but noted T-wave inversion in leads I and aVL, and T wave

  19. Early aggregation studies of diabetic amyloid in solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Sadanand; de Pablo, Juan

    2011-03-01

    Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, also known as amylin) is responsible for pancreatic amyloid deposits in type II diabetes. The deposits, as well as intermediates in their assembly, are cytotoxic to pancreatic β -cells and contribute to the loss of β -cell mass associated with type II diabetes. To better understand the mechanism and cause of such aggregation, molecular simulations with explicit solvent models were used to compare monomer structure and early aggregation mechanism. Using free-energy maps generated~through~a variety of novel, enhanced sampling free-energy calculation techniques, we have found that, in water, the peptide adopts three major structures. One has a small α -helix at the N-terminus and a small β -hairpin at the other end. The second and the most stable one, is a complete β -hairpin, and the third is a random coil structure. Transition Path Sampling simulations along with reaction coordinate analysis reveal that the peptide follows a ``zipping mechanism'' in folding from α -helical to β -hairpin state. From studies of the dimerization of monomers in water, we have found that the early aggregation proceeds by conversion of all α -helical configurations to β -hairpins, and by two β -hairpins coming together to form a parallel β -sheet. Several aspects of the proposed mechanism have been verified by concerted 2D IR experimental measurements, thereby adding credence to the validity of our predictions.

  20. Matrine pretreatment improves cardiac function in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy via suppressing ROS/TLR-4 signaling pathway.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhong-wei; Wang, Jun-kui; Qiu, Chuan; Guan, Gong-chang; Liu, Xin-hong; Li, Shang-jian; Deng, Zheng-rong

    2015-03-01

    Matrine is an alkaloid from Sophora alopecuroides L, which has shown a variety of pharmacological activities and potential therapeutic value in cardiovascular diseases. In this study we examined the protective effects of matrine against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in rats. Male SD rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce DCM. One group of DCM rats was pretreated with matrine (200 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 10 consecutive days before STZ injection. Left ventricular function was evaluated using invasive hemodynamic examination, and myocardiac apoptosis was assessed. Primary rat myocytes were used for in vitro experiments. Intracellular ROS generation, MDA content and GPx activity were determined. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of relevant mRNAs and proteins. DCM rats exhibited abnormally elevated non-fasting blood glucose levels at 4 weeks after STZ injection, and LV function impairment at 16 weeks. The cardiac tissues of DCM rats showed markedly increased apoptosis, excessive ROS production, and activation of TLR-4/MyD-88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling. Pretreatment with matrine significantly decreased non-fasting blood glucose levels and improved LV function in DCM rats, which were associated with reducing apoptosis and ROS production, and suppressing TLR-4/MyD-88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling in cardiac tissues. Incubation in a high-glucose medium induced oxidative stress and activation of TLR-4/MyD-88 signaling in cultured myocytes in vitro, which were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine. Excessive ROS production in DCM activates the TLR-4/MyD-88 signaling, resulting in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, whereas pretreatment with matrine improves cardiac function via suppressing ROS/TLR-4 signaling pathway.

  1. A New 4D Trajectory-Based Approach Unveils Abnormal LV Revolution Dynamics in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Madeo, Andrea; Piras, Paolo; Re, Federica; Gabriele, Stefano; Nardinocchi, Paola; Teresi, Luciano; Torromeo, Concetta; Chialastri, Claudia; Schiariti, Michele; Giura, Geltrude; Evangelista, Antonietta; Dominici, Tania; Varano, Valerio; Zachara, Elisabetta; Puddu, Paolo Emilio

    2015-01-01

    The assessment of left ventricular shape changes during cardiac revolution may be a new step in clinical cardiology to ease early diagnosis and treatment. To quantify these changes, only point registration was adopted and neither Generalized Procrustes Analysis nor Principal Component Analysis were applied as we did previously to study a group of healthy subjects. Here, we extend to patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the original approach and preliminarily include genotype positive/phenotype negative individuals to explore the potential that incumbent pathology might also be detected. Using 3D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography, we recorded left ventricular shape of 48 healthy subjects, 24 patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 3 genotype positive/phenotype negative individuals. We then applied Generalized Procrustes Analysis and Principal Component Analysis and inter-individual differences were cleaned by Parallel Transport performed on the tangent space, along the horizontal geodesic, between the per-subject consensuses and the grand mean. Endocardial and epicardial layers were evaluated separately, different from many ecocardiographic applications. Under a common Principal Component Analysis, we then evaluated left ventricle morphological changes (at both layers) explained by first Principal Component scores. Trajectories’ shape and orientation were investigated and contrasted. Logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used to compare these morphometric indicators with traditional 3D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography global parameters. Geometric morphometrics indicators performed better than 3D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography global parameters in recognizing pathology both in systole and diastole. Genotype positive/phenotype negative individuals clustered with patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during diastole, suggesting that incumbent pathology may indeed be foreseen by these methods

  2. An update on canine cardiomyopathies - is it all in the genes?

    PubMed

    Dutton, E; López-Alvarez, J

    2018-04-17

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is the second most common cardiac disease in dogs and causes considerable morbidity and mortality. Primary dilated cardiomyopathy is suspected to be familial, and genetic loci have been associated with the disease in a number of breeds. Because it is an adult-onset disease, usually with late onset, testing breeding dogs and bitches before breeding for a genetic mutation that could lead to dilated cardiomyopathy would be helpful to prevent disease. There is growing evidence that the genetic basis may be multigenic rather than monogenic in the majority of studied breeds. This review article describes the known genetic aspects of canine dilated cardiomyopathy and the implications of genetic tests on heart testing and the future of veterinary cardiology. © 2018 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

  3. Metastases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Misdiagnosed as Isolated Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Greco, Assunta; De Masi, Roberto; Orlando, Stefania; Metrangolo, Antonio; Zecca, Vittorio; Morciano, Giancarlo; De Donno, Antonella; Bagordo, Francesco; Piccinni, Giancarlo

    At present, cardiac metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is rarely mentioned in the literature. We report a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with cardiac metastasis misdiagnosed as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2011. Two years later, on presentation of syncope, an abnormal ventricular septal size was recorded by ultrasound scan, and was subsequently shown by magnetic resonance imaging to be a tumour lesion. A myocardial biopsy confirmed infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma. This observation underlines the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma cardiac metastasis, manifested in its infiltrative form as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, we suggest that the ultrasound appearance of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients should be seen as a "red flag" and recommend the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging assessment of transplant candidates.

  4. Early loss of the glucagon response to hypoglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Siafarikas, Aris; Johnston, Robert J; Bulsara, Max K; O'Leary, Peter; Jones, Timothy W; Davis, Elizabeth A

    2012-08-01

    To assess the glucagon response to hypoglycemia and identify influencing factors in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with nondiabetic control subjects. Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp studies were performed in all participants. The glucagon response to both hypoglycemia and arginine was measured, as well as epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone responses to hypoglycemia. Residual β-cell function was assessed using fasting and stimulated C-peptide. Twenty-eight nonobese adolescents with type 1 diabetes (14 female, mean age 14.9 years [range 11.2-19.8]) and 12 healthy control subjects (6 female, 15.3 years [12.8-18.7]) participated in the study. Median duration of type 1 diabetes was 0.66 years (range 0.01-9.9). The glucagon peak to arginine stimulation was similar between groups (P = 0.27). In contrast, the glucagon peak to hypoglycemia was reduced in the group with diabetes (95% CI): 68 (62-74) vs. 96 (87-115) pg/mL (P < 0.001). This response was greater than 3 SDs from baseline for only 7% of subjects with type 1 diabetes in comparison with 83% of control subjects and was lost at a median duration of diabetes of 8 months and as early as 1 month after diagnosis (R = -0.41, P < 0.01). There was no correlation in response with height, weight, BMI, and HbA(1c). Epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone responses to hypoglycemia were present in both groups. The glucagon response to hypoglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes is influenced by the duration of diabetes and can be lost early in the course of the disease.

  5. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy post liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Vachiat, Ahmed; McCutcheon, Keir; Mahomed, Adam; Schleicher, Gunter; Brand, Liezl; Botha, Jean; Sussman, Martin; Manga, Pravin

    2016-10-23

    A patient with end-stage liver disease developed stress-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy post liver transplantation, with haemodynamic instability requiring a left ventricular assist device. We discuss the diagnosis and management of this condition.

  6. Cardiomyopathy from 1,1-Difluoroethane Inhalation.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Suwen; Joginpally, Tejaswini; Kim, David; Yadava, Mrinal; Norgais, Konchok; Laird-Fick, Heather S

    2016-10-01

    Consumer aerosol products can be inhaled for their psychoactive effects, but with attendant adverse health effects including "sudden sniffing death." Cardiomyopathy has rarely been described in association with 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE), a common aerosol propellant. We report a 33-year-old male who developed acute myocardial injury and global hypokinesis along with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and fulminant hepatitis after 2 days' nearly continuous huffing. Workup for other causes, including underlying coronary artery disease, was negative. His cardiac function improved over time. The exact mechanism of DFE's effects is uncertain but may include catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, coronary vasospasm, or direct cellular toxicity.

  7. EMMPRIN and its ligand cyclophilin A as novel diagnostic markers in inflammatory cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Seizer, Peter; Geisler, Tobias; Bigalke, Boris; Schneider, Martin; Klingel, Karin; Kandolf, Reinhard; Stellos, Konstantinos; Schreieck, Jürgen; Gawaz, Meinrad; May, Andreas E

    2013-03-10

    During inflammatory cardiomyopathy matrix metalloproteinases are crucially involved in cardiac remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the "extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer" EMMPRIN (CD147) and its ligand Cyclophilin A (CyPA) are upregulated in inflammatory cardiomyopathy and may serve as diagnostic markers. Therefore, a series of 102 human endomyocardial biopsies were analyzed for the expression of EMMPRIN and CyPA and correlated with histological and immunohistological findings. Endomyocardial biopsies were stained for EMMPRIN and CyPA in addition to standard histology (HE, Trichrom) and immunohistological stainings (MHC-II, CD68, CD3). 39 (38.2%) biopsies met the immunohistological criteria of an inflammatory cardiomyopathy. EMMPRIN, which was predominantly expressed on cardiomyocytes, was slightly (but significantly) upregulated in non inflammatory cardiomyopathies compared to normal histopathological findings and highly upregulated in inflammatory cardiomyopathy compared to both non inflammatory cardiomyopathy and normal histopathology. In contrast, CyPA reveals no enhanced expression in non inflammatory cardiomyopathies and a highly enhanced expression in inflammatory cardiomyopathy, where it is closely associated with leucocytes infiltrates. We found a strong correlation between both EMMPRIN and CyPA with the expression of MHC-II molecules (correlation coefficient 0.475 and 0.527, p<0.05). Moreover, we found a correlation for both EMMPRIN and CyPA with CD68 (correlation coefficient 0.393 and 0.387, p<0.05) and CD3 (correlation coefficient 0.360 and 0.235, p<0.05). EMMPRIN is enhanced in both inflammatory and non inflammatory cardiomyopathies and can serve as a marker of myocardial remodeling. CyPA may represent a novel and specific marker for cardiac inflammation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Mangiferin suppressed advanced glycation end products (AGEs) through NF-κB deactivation and displayed anti-inflammatory effects in streptozotocin and high fat diet-diabetic cardiomyopathy rats.

    PubMed

    Hou, Jun; Zheng, Dezhi; Fung, Gabriel; Deng, Haoyu; Chen, Lin; Liang, Jiali; Jiang, Yan; Hu, Yonghe

    2016-03-01

    Given the importance of the aggregation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cardiac inflammation in the onset and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), our objective in this study was to demonstrate the cardioprotective effect of mangiferin, an antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agent, on diabetic rat model. The DCM model was established by a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin. DCM rats were treated orally with mangiferin (20 mg/kg) for 16 weeks. Serum and left ventricular myocardium were collected for determination of inflammatory cytokines. AGEs mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and receptor for AGEs (RAGE) in myocardium were assayed by real-time PCR and Western blot. ROS levels were measured by dihydroethidium fluorescence staining. NF-κB binding activity was assayed by TransAM NF-κB p65 ELISA kit. Chronic treatment with mangiferin decreased the levels of myocardial enzymes (CK-MB, LDH) and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β). Meanwhile, NF-κB is inhibited by the reduction of nuclear translocation of p65 subunit, and mangiferin reduced AGE production and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of RAGE in DCM rats. Our data indicated that mangiferin could significantly ameliorate DCM by preventing the release of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting ROS accumulation, AGE/RAGE production, and NF-κB nuclear translocation, suggesting that mangiferin treatment might be beneficial in DCM.

  9. Role of antioxidants in redox regulation of diabetic cardiovascular complications.

    PubMed

    Turan, Belma

    2010-12-01

    Cardiovascular dysfunction is leading cause for the mortality of diabetic individuals, in part due to a specific cardiomyopathy, and due to altered endothelial dependent/independent vascular reactivity. Cardiovascular complications result from multiple parameters including glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity, fibrosis and mitochondrial uncoupling. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) and the capability of biological system to readily detoxify reactive intermediates. Several studies have reported beneficial effects of a therapy with antioxidant agents, including trace elements and other antioxidants, against the cardiovascular system dysfunction due to the diabetes. Antioxidants act through different mechanisms to prevent oxidant-induced cell damages acting either directly or indirectly. They can reduce the generation of ROS, scavenge ROS, or interfere with ROS-induced alterations. Modulating mitochondrial activity is an important possibility to control ROS production. Hence, the use of PPARα agonist to reduce fatty acid oxidation and of trace elements such as selenium as antioxidant and other antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, contribute to the prevention of diabetes-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. The paradigm that, inhibiting the overproduction of superoxides and peroxides would prevent cardiac dysfunction in diabetes has been difficult to verify using conventional antioxidants like vitamins E and C. That led to use of catalytic antioxidants such as SOD/CAT mimetics. Hence, well-tuned, balanced and responsive antioxidant defence systems are vital for proper prevention against diabetic damage. Myocardial cell death is observed in the hearts of diabetic patients and animal models; however, its importance in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy is not completely understood. This review aims to summarize our present knowledge on various strategies to control oxidative stress and

  10. Analysis of selected genes associated with cardiomyopathy by next-generation sequencing.

    PubMed

    Szabadosova, Viktoria; Boronova, Iveta; Ferenc, Peter; Tothova, Iveta; Bernasovska, Jarmila; Zigova, Michaela; Kmec, Jan; Bernasovsky, Ivan

    2018-02-01

    As the leading cause of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy represents a heterogenous group of heart muscle disorders. Despite considerable progress being made in the genetic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy by detection of the mutations in the most prevalent cardiomyopathy genes, the cause remains unsolved in many patients. High-throughput mutation screening in the disease genes for cardiomyopathy is now possible because of using target enrichment followed by next-generation sequencing. The aim of the study was to analyze a panel of genes associated with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy based on previously published results in order to identify the subjects at risk. The method of next-generation sequencing by IlluminaHiSeq 2500 platform was used to detect sequence variants in 16 individuals diagnosed with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Detected variants were filtered and the functional impact of amino acid changes was predicted by computational programs. DNA samples of the 16 patients were analyzed by whole exome sequencing. We identified six nonsynonymous variants that were shown to be pathogenic in all used prediction softwares: rs3744998 (EPG5), rs11551768 (MGME1), rs148374985 (MURC), rs78461695 (PLEC), rs17158558 (RET) and rs2295190 (SYNE1). Two of the analyzed sequence variants had minor allele frequency (MAF)<0.01: rs148374985 (MURC), rs34580776 (MYBPC3). Our data support the potential role of the detected variants in pathogenesis of dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; however, the possibility that these variants might not be true disease-causing variants but are susceptibility alleles that require additional mutations or injury to cause the clinical phenotype of disease must be considered. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Effects of Acarbose to Delay Progression of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Early Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Patel, YR; Kirkman, MS; Considine, RV; Hannon, TS; Mather, KJ

    2014-01-01

    Background The antidiabetic agent acarbose reduces postprandial glucose excursions. We have evaluated the effect of randomized treatment with acarbose on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in early diabetes. Methods The Early Diabetes Intervention Program (EDIP) was a randomized trial of acarbose versus placebo, in 219 participants with early diabetes characterized by glucose values over 11.1 mmol/L 2 hours after a 75g oral glucose load, and mean HbA1c 6.3%. IMT was measured at baseline and yearly. Follow-up was discontinued if participants progressed to the study glucose endpoints; IMT readings were available for a median of 2 years, with 72 subjects followed for 5 years. Results Progressive increases in IMT were seen in both treatment groups, but this was reduced in participants randomized to acarbose (p=0.047). In age, sex and smoking-adjusted analyses IMT progression was associated with greater fasting and OGTT-excursion glucose, fasting insulin, cholesterol, and glycated LDL concentrations. IMT progression was reduced with study-related changes in weight, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids; these features were more strongly associated with reduced IMT progression than acarbose treatment. Despite strong associations of baseline glycemia with IMT progression, study-related changes in glucose were not important determinants of IMT progression. Conclusions Acarbose can delay progression of carotid intima-media thickness in early diabetes defined by an oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose, weight, insulin and lipids contributed to risk of progression but reductions in glycemia were not major determinants of reduced rate of IMT progression. Vascular benefits of acarbose may be independent of its glycemic effects. PMID:23908125

  12. Recovery of methamphetamine associated cardiomyopathy predicted by late gadolinium enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

    PubMed

    Lopez, Javier E; Yeo, Khung; Caputo, Gary; Buonocore, Michael; Schaefer, Saul

    2009-11-11

    Methamphetamine is known to cause a cardiomyopathy which may be reversible with appropriate medical therapy and cessation of use. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been shown to identify fibrosis in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We present a case of severe methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy in which cardiac function recovered after 6 months. Evaluation by CMR using late gadolinium enhancement was notable for an absence of enhancement, suggesting an absence of irreversible myocyte injury and a good prognosis. CMR may be useful to predict recovery in toxin-associated non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

  13. Recovery of methamphetamine associated cardiomyopathy predicted by late gadolinium enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance

    PubMed Central

    2009-01-01

    Methamphetamine is known to cause a cardiomyopathy which may be reversible with appropriate medical therapy and cessation of use. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been shown to identify fibrosis in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We present a case of severe methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy in which cardiac function recovered after 6 months. Evaluation by CMR using late gadolinium enhancement was notable for an absence of enhancement, suggesting an absence of irreversible myocyte injury and a good prognosis. CMR may be useful to predict recovery in toxin-associated non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. PMID:19906310

  14. Alpha-lipoic acid improves subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Hegazy, Sahar K; Tolba, Osama A; Mostafa, Tarek M; Eid, Manal A; El-Afify, Dalia R

    2013-01-01

    Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that may have a protective role in diabetic cardiac dysfunction. We investigated the possible beneficial effect of alpha-lipoic acid on diabetic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in children and adolescents with asymptomatic type 1 diabetes (T1D). Thirty T1D patients (aged 10-14) were randomized to receive insulin treatment (n = 15) or insulin plus alpha-lipoic acid 300 mg twice daily (n = 15) for four months. Age and sex matched healthy controls (n = 15) were also included. Patients were evaluated with conventional 2-dimensional echocardiographic examination (2D), pulsed tissue Doppler (PTD), and 2-dimensional longitudinal strain echocardiography (2DS) before and after therapy. Glutathione, malondialdhyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Fas ligand (Fas-L), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and troponin-I were determined and correlated to echocardiographic parameters. Diabetic patients had significantly lower levels of glutathione and significantly higher MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, Fas-L, MMP-2, and troponin-I levels than control subjects. The expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also increased in diabetic patients. Significant correlations of mitral e'/a' ratio and left ventricular global peak systolic strain with glutathione, MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, and Fas-L were observed in diabetic patients. Alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased glutathione level and significantly decreased MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, Fas-L, MMP-2, troponin-I levels, and TGF-beta gene expression. Moreover, alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased mitral e'/a' ratio and left ventricular global peak systolic strain in diabetic patients. These findings suggest that alpha-lipoic acid may have a role in preventing the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 1 diabetes.

  15. European Cardiomyopathy Pilot Registry: EURObservational Research Programme of the European Society of Cardiology.

    PubMed

    Elliott, Perry; Charron, Philippe; Blanes, Juan Ramon Gimeno; Tavazzi, Luigi; Tendera, Michal; Konté, Marème; Laroche, Cécile; Maggioni, Aldo P

    2016-01-07

    Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with premature death due to ventricular arrhythmia or heart failure. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients enrolled in the pilot phase of the EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) cardiomyopathy registry. Between 1 December 2012 and 30 November 2013, four cardiomyopathy phenotypes were studied: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Twenty-seven centres in 12 countries participated; 1115 patients were enrolled. The commonest cardiomyopathy was HCM (n = 681), followed by DCM (n = 346), ARVC (n = 59), and RCM (n = 29); 423 patients (46.4% of those reported) had familial disease; and 56 (5.0%) had rare disease phenocopies. Median age at enrolment and diagnosis was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 42-64] and 46 years (IQR, 32-58), respectively; fewer patients with ARVC and more with RCM were diagnosed in the upper age quartile (P < 0.0001). There was a male predominance for all cardiomyopathies except RCM (P = 0.0023). Most patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I (n = 813) at enrolment; 139 (12.5%) reported syncope, most frequently in ARVC (P = 0.0009). Five hundred and seven (45.5%) patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 117 (10.6%) endomyocardial biopsy, and 462 (41.4%) genetic testing with a causative mutation reported in 236 individuals (51.1%). 1026 patients (92.0%) were receiving drug therapy; 316 (28.3%) had received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (highest proportion in ARVC, P < 0.0001). This pilot study shows that services for patients with cardiomyopathy are complex, requiring access to a large range of invasive and non-invasive investigations and involvement of multidisciplinary teams. Treatment regimens are equally multifaceted and show that patients are likely to need long-term follow

  16. Cardiomyopathy Induced by Pulmonary Sequestration in a 50-Year-Old Man

    PubMed Central

    Chatelain, Shaun; Comp, Robert A.; Grace, R. Randal

    2015-01-01

    A 50-year-old black man presented at the emergency department with midsternal, nonradiating chest pressure and chronic dyspnea on exertion. Four years before the current admission, he had been diagnosed with nonischemic cardiomyopathy at another facility. After our complete evaluation, we suspected that his symptoms arose from left-to-left shunting in association with pulmonary sequestration, a congenital malformation. Our preliminary diagnosis of secondary dilated cardiomyopathy was confirmed by normalization of the patient's ventricular size and function after lobectomy. To our knowledge, this patient is the oldest on record to present with cardiomyopathy consequent to pulmonary sequestration. His case is highly unusual because of his age and the rapid resolution of his symptoms after lobectomy. We believe that pulmonary sequestration should be included in the differential diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. PMID:25873803

  17. Echocardiography Differences Between Athlete's Heart Hearth and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Kreso, Amir; Barakovic, Fahir; Medjedovic, Senad; Halilbasic, Amila; Klepic, Muhamed

    2015-10-01

    Among long term athletes there is always present hypertrophy of the left ventricle walls as well as increased cardiac mass. These changes are the result of the heart muscle adaptation to load during the years of training, which should not be considered as pathology. In people suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there is also present hypertrophy of the left ventricle walls and increased mass of the heart, but these changes are the result of pathological changes in the heart caused by a genetic predisposition for the development HCM of. Differences between myocardial hypertrophy in athletes and HCM are not clearly differentiated and there are always dilemmas between pathological and physiological hypertrophy. The goal of the study is to determine and compare the echocardiographic cardiac parameters of longtime athletes to patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study included 60 subjects divided into two groups: active athletes and people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mean values of IVSd recorded in GB is IVSd=17.5 mm (n=20, 95% CI, 16.00-19.00 mm), while a significantly smaller mean value is recorded in GA, IVSd=10.0 mm (n=40, 95% CI, 9.00-11.00 mm). The mean value of the left ventricle in diastole (LVDd) recorded in the GA is LVDd=51 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 48.00 to 52.00 mm), while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVDd value is 42 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 40.00 to 48.00 mm). The mean value of the rear wall of the left ventricle (LVPWd) recorded in the GA is LVDd=10 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 9.00-10.00 mm) while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVDd is 14 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 12.00 to 16.00 mm). The mean of the left ventricle during systole (LVSD) observed in GA is LVSD=34 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 32.00 to 36.00 mm), while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVSD is 28 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 24.00 to 28.83 mm). The mean ejection fraction (EF%) observed in GA is EF=60% (n=40; 95% CI, 56.41 to 63.00%), while in

  18. Lanthony 15-Hue Desaturated Test for screening of early color vision defects in uncomplicated juvenile diabetes.

    PubMed

    Giusti, C

    2001-01-01

    To identify the most appropriate test for screening of early color vision abnormalities in uncomplicated juvenile diabetes. Enrolled in this study were 39 diabetic adolescents, characterized by optimal Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria for visual acuity, transparent dioptric means and angiographically normal retinas. Color vision was examined with Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates (Part 2, SPP2), Roth 28-Hue Test (R28), Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Tests (FM100), and Lanthony 15-Hue Desaturated Test (L15). Color confusion score (CCS) and desaturation angle (DSAT) were measured on L15 only. Thirty-nine normal subjects served as a control group. Poor metabolic control was an exclusion criteria. CCS was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (37.8 +/- 11.1 vs 0 +/- P < .001) and normal scores were found in only 4 diabetic patients. DSAT values were spread, not showing a well-defined axis of the defect. The results of FM100 were clinically reliable but affected by a longer execution time. R28 and SPP2 demonstrated a low sensitivity, as all patients scored normally with both tests. Impaired color vision is a common observation even in patients with uncomplicated juvenile diabetes. Our results indicate that L15 is the most suitable test for screening of early color vision abnormalities in these subjects.

  19. Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy and Recurrent Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

    PubMed

    Akinseye, Oluwaseun A; Ibebuogu, Uzoma N; Jha, Sunil K

    2017-01-01

    Noncompaction cardiomyopathy is a rare phenotype of cardiomyopathy associated with severe cardiac arrhythmia and thromboembolic complications. A 55-year-old woman presented with frank pulmonary edema and received a diagnosis of noncompaction cardiomyopathy. Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy is increasingly being diagnosed because of advances in imaging modalities. It is important to differentiate this new phenotype of cardiomyopathy from others because its diagnosis, management, and prognosis differ. We reviewed the literature and summarized the diagnostic criteria, associated complications, initial and long-term management, and the recommendation for family screening.

  20. Multispectral fundus imaging for early detection of diabetic retinopathy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beach, James M.; Tiedeman, James S.; Hopkins, Mark F.; Sabharwal, Yashvinder S.

    1999-04-01

    Functional imaging of the retina and associated structures may provide information for early assessment of risks of developing retinopathy in diabetic patients. Here we show results of retinal oximetry performed using multi-spectral reflectance imaging techniques to assess hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen saturation (OS) in blood vessels of the inner retina and oxygen utilization at the optic nerve in diabetic patients without retinopathy and early disease during experimental hyperglycemia. Retinal images were obtained through a fundus camera and simultaneously recorded at up to four wavelengths using image-splitting modules coupled to a digital camera. Changes in OS in large retinal vessels, in average OS in disk tissue, and in the reduced state of cytochrome oxidase (CO) at the disk were determined from changes in reflectance associated with the oxidation/reduction states of Hb and CO. Step to high sugar lowered venous oxygen saturation to a degree dependent on disease duration. Moderate increase in sugar produced higher levels of reduced CO in both the disk and surrounding tissue without a detectable change in average tissue OS. Results suggest that regulation of retinal blood supply and oxygen consumption are altered by hyperglycemia and that such functional changes are present before clinical signs of retinopathy.

  1. Association of Diabetic Macular Edema and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Xie, Jing; Ikram, M Kamran; Cotch, Mary Frances; Klein, Barbara; Varma, Rohit; Shaw, Jonathan E; Klein, Ronald; Mitchell, Paul; Lamoureux, Ecosse L; Wong, Tien Yin

    2017-06-01

    Previous studies on the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) focused on the early stages of DR. Understanding whether patients with type 2 diabetes and severe stages of DR (diabetic macular edema [DME] and proliferative diabetic retinopathy [PDR]) have a higher risk of CVD will allow physicians to more effectively counsel patients. To examine the association of severe stages of DR (DME and PDR) with incident CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes. English-language publications were reviewed for articles evaluating the relationship of DR and CVD in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, and the Cochrane Library from inception (January 1, 1950) to December 31, 2014, using the search terms diabetic retinopathy OR macular edema AND stroke OR cerebrovascular disease OR coronary artery disease OR heart failure OR myocardial infarction OR angina pectoris OR acute coronary syndrome OR coronary artery disease OR cardiomyopathy. Among 656 studies screened for eligibility, 7604 individuals were included from 8 prospective population-based studies with data on photographic-based DR grading, follow-up visits, and well-defined incident CVD end point. Two independent reviewers conducted a systematic search of the 4 databases, and a single pooled database was developed. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated for patients with DME, PDR, and vision-threatening DR, compared with persons without these conditions, by using individual participant data followed by a standard inverse-variance meta-analysis (2-step analysis). The review and analyses were performed from January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2017. Incident CVD, including coronary heart disease, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes. Among 7604 patients with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of DME was 4.6% and PDR, 7.4%. After a mean follow-up of 5.9 years (range, 3.2-10.1 years), 1203 incident CVD events, including 916 coronary heart disease cases, were reported. Persons with DME or

  2. Care of the infant of the diabetic mother.

    PubMed

    Hay, William W

    2012-02-01

    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from all causes of diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy and is increasing in incidence, particularly as type 2 diabetes continues to increase worldwide. Despite advances in perinatal care, infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) remain at risk for a multitude of physiologic, metabolic, and congenital complications such as preterm birth, macrosomia, asphyxia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, polycythemia and hyperviscosity, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and congenital anomalies, particularly of the central nervous system. Overt type 1 diabetes around conception produces marked risk of embryopathy (neural tube defects, cardiac defects, caudal regression syndrome), whereas later in gestation, severe and unstable type 1 maternal diabetes carries a higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction, asphyxia, and fetal death. IDMs born to mothers with type 2 diabetes are more commonly obese (macrosomic) with milder conditions of the common problems found in IDMs. IDMs from all causes of GDM also are predisposed to later-life risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Care of the IDM neonate needs to focus on ensuring adequate cardiorespiratory adaptation at birth, possible birth injuries, maintenance of normal glucose metabolism, and close observation for polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and feeding intolerance.

  3. Normotensive cardiomyopathy and malignant hypertension in phaeochromocytoma

    PubMed Central

    Shapiro, L. M.; Trethowan, N.; Singh, S. P.

    1982-01-01

    A patient with two different presentations of phaeochromocytoma is described. She initially presented with normal blood pressure and heart failure following a prolonged feverish prodrome. A provisional diagnosis of myocarditis or early congestive cardiomyopathy was made and she improved with digoxin and diuretics. Eighteen months later, after a period of normotension free from heart failure, she developed malignant hypertension with recurrence of heart failure. A phaeochromocytoma was surgically removed, with return to normal of blood pressure and cardiac status. It would seem that the initial presentation of the phaeochromocytoma was a catecholamine-induced myocarditis without hypertension and this resolved with the subsequent development of malignant hypertension. The possible mechanisms responsible for this are discussed and it is concluded that phaeochromocytoma should be considered in patients who have heart failure and persistent features of myocarditis. PMID:7100023

  4. Recommendations for Cardiomyopathy Surveillance for Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group

    PubMed Central

    Armenian, Saro H.; Hudson, Melissa M.; Mulder, Renee L.; Chen, Ming Hui; Constine, Louis S.; Dwyer, Mary; Nathan, Paul C.; Tissing, Wim J.E.; Shankar, Sadhna; Sieswerda, Elske; Skinner, Rod; Steinberger, Julia; van Dalen, Elvira C.; van der Pal, Helena; Wallace, W. Hamish; Levitt, Gill; Kremer, Leontien C.M.

    2015-01-01

    Childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracycline chemotherapy or chest radiation are at an increased risk of developing congestive heart failure (CHF). In this population, CHF is well-recognized as a progressive disorder, with a variable period of asymptomatic cardiomyopathy which precedes signs and symptoms. As a result, a number of practice guidelines have been developed to facilitate detection and treatment of asymptomatic cardiomyopathy. These guidelines differ with regards to definitions of at risk populations, surveillance modality and frequency, and recommendations for interventions. These differences may hinder the effective implementation of these recommendations. We report on the results of an international collaboration to harmonize existing cardiomyopathy surveillance recommendations, using an evidence-based approach that relied on standardized definitions for outcomes of interest and transparent presentation of the quality of the evidence. The resultant recommendations were graded according to the quality of the evidence and the potential benefit gained from early detection and intervention. PMID:25752563

  5. Dystrophic Cardiomyopathy: Complex Pathobiological Processes to Generate Clinical Phenotype

    PubMed Central

    Tsuda, Takeshi; Fitzgerald, Kristi K.

    2017-01-01

    Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy (XL-DCM) consist of a unique clinical entity, the dystrophinopathies, which are due to variable mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common complication of dystrophinopathies, but the onset, progression, and severity of heart disease differ among these subgroups. Extensive molecular genetic studies have been conducted to assess genotype-phenotype correlation in DMD, BMD, and XL-DCM to understand the underlying mechanisms of these diseases, but the results are not always conclusive, suggesting the involvement of complex multi-layers of pathological processes that generate the final clinical phenotype. Dystrophin protein is a part of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) that is localized in skeletal muscles, myocardium, smooth muscles, and neuronal tissues. Diversity of cardiac phenotype in dystrophinopathies suggests multiple layers of pathogenetic mechanisms in forming dystrophic cardiomyopathy. In this review article, we review the complex molecular interactions involving the pathogenesis of dystrophic cardiomyopathy, including primary gene mutations and loss of structural integrity, secondary cellular responses, and certain epigenetic and other factors that modulate gene expressions. Involvement of epigenetic gene regulation appears to lead to specific cardiac phenotypes in dystrophic hearts. PMID:29367543

  6. Iron-overload injury and cardiomyopathy in acquired and genetic models is attenuated by resveratrol therapy.

    PubMed

    Das, Subhash K; Wang, Wang; Zhabyeyev, Pavel; Basu, Ratnadeep; McLean, Brent; Fan, Dong; Parajuli, Nirmal; DesAulniers, Jessica; Patel, Vaibhav B; Hajjar, Roger J; Dyck, Jason R B; Kassiri, Zamaneh; Oudit, Gavin Y

    2015-12-07

    Iron-overload cardiomyopathy is a prevalent cause of heart failure on a world-wide basis and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with secondary iron-overload and genetic hemochromatosis. We investigated the therapeutic effects of resveratrol in acquired and genetic models of iron-overload cardiomyopathy. Murine iron-overload models showed cardiac iron-overload, increased oxidative stress, altered Ca(2+) homeostasis and myocardial fibrosis resulting in heart disease. Iron-overload increased nuclear and acetylated levels of FOXO1 with corresponding inverse changes in SIRT1 levels in the heart corrected by resveratrol therapy. Resveratrol, reduced the pathological remodeling and improved cardiac function in murine models of acquired and genetic iron-overload at varying stages of iron-overload. Echocardiography and hemodynamic analysis revealed a complete normalization of iron-overload mediated diastolic and systolic dysfunction in response to resveratrol therapy. Myocardial SERCA2a levels were reduced in iron-overloaded hearts and resveratrol therapy restored SERCA2a levels and corrected altered Ca(2+) homeostasis. Iron-mediated pro-oxidant and pro-fibrotic effects in human and murine cardiomyocytes and cardiofibroblasts were suppressed by resveratrol which correlated with reduction in iron-induced myocardial oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis. Resveratrol represents a clinically and economically feasible therapeutic intervention to reduce the global burden from iron-overload cardiomyopathy at early and chronic stages of iron-overload.

  7. Iron-overload injury and cardiomyopathy in acquired and genetic models is attenuated by resveratrol therapy

    PubMed Central

    Das, Subhash K.; Wang, Wang; Zhabyeyev, Pavel; Basu, Ratnadeep; McLean, Brent; Fan, Dong; Parajuli, Nirmal; DesAulniers, Jessica; Patel, Vaibhav B.; Hajjar, Roger J.; Dyck, Jason R. B.; Kassiri, Zamaneh; Oudit, Gavin Y.

    2015-01-01

    Iron-overload cardiomyopathy is a prevalent cause of heart failure on a world-wide basis and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with secondary iron-overload and genetic hemochromatosis. We investigated the therapeutic effects of resveratrol in acquired and genetic models of iron-overload cardiomyopathy. Murine iron-overload models showed cardiac iron-overload, increased oxidative stress, altered Ca2+ homeostasis and myocardial fibrosis resulting in heart disease. Iron-overload increased nuclear and acetylated levels of FOXO1 with corresponding inverse changes in SIRT1 levels in the heart corrected by resveratrol therapy. Resveratrol, reduced the pathological remodeling and improved cardiac function in murine models of acquired and genetic iron-overload at varying stages of iron-overload. Echocardiography and hemodynamic analysis revealed a complete normalization of iron-overload mediated diastolic and systolic dysfunction in response to resveratrol therapy. Myocardial SERCA2a levels were reduced in iron-overloaded hearts and resveratrol therapy restored SERCA2a levels and corrected altered Ca2+ homeostasis. Iron-mediated pro-oxidant and pro-fibrotic effects in human and murine cardiomyocytes and cardiofibroblasts were suppressed by resveratrol which correlated with reduction in iron-induced myocardial oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis. Resveratrol represents a clinically and economically feasible therapeutic intervention to reduce the global burden from iron-overload cardiomyopathy at early and chronic stages of iron-overload. PMID:26638758

  8. Molecular Phenotyping Combines Molecular Information, Biological Relevance, and Patient Data to Improve Productivity of Early Drug Discovery.

    PubMed

    Drawnel, Faye Marie; Zhang, Jitao David; Küng, Erich; Aoyama, Natsuyo; Benmansour, Fethallah; Araujo Del Rosario, Andrea; Jensen Zoffmann, Sannah; Delobel, Frédéric; Prummer, Michael; Weibel, Franziska; Carlson, Coby; Anson, Blake; Iacone, Roberto; Certa, Ulrich; Singer, Thomas; Ebeling, Martin; Prunotto, Marco

    2017-05-18

    Today, novel therapeutics are identified in an environment which is intrinsically different from the clinical context in which they are ultimately evaluated. Using molecular phenotyping and an in vitro model of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we show that by quantifying pathway reporter gene expression, molecular phenotyping can cluster compounds based on pathway profiles and dissect associations between pathway activities and disease phenotypes simultaneously. Molecular phenotyping was applicable to compounds with a range of binding specificities and triaged false positives derived from high-content screening assays. The technique identified a class of calcium-signaling modulators that can reverse disease-regulated pathways and phenotypes, which was validated by structurally distinct compounds of relevant classes. Our results advocate for application of molecular phenotyping in early drug discovery, promoting biological relevance as a key selection criterion early in the drug development cascade. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Update on RAAS Modulation for the Treatment of Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease.

    PubMed

    Bernardi, Stella; Michelli, Andrea; Zuolo, Giulia; Candido, Riccardo; Fabris, Bruno

    2016-01-01

    Since the advent of insulin, the improvements in diabetes detection and the therapies to treat hyperglycemia have reduced the mortality of acute metabolic emergencies, such that today chronic complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients. More than half of the mortality that is seen in the diabetic population can be ascribed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes not only myocardial infarction due to premature atherosclerosis but also diabetic cardiomyopathy. The importance of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonism in the prevention of diabetic CVD has demonstrated the key role that the RAAS plays in diabetic CVD onset and development. Today, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers represent the first line therapy for primary and secondary CVD prevention in patients with diabetes. Recent research has uncovered new dimensions of the RAAS and, therefore, new potential therapeutic targets against diabetic CVD. Here we describe the timeline of paradigm shifts in RAAS understanding, how diabetes modifies the RAAS, and what new parts of the RAAS pathway could be targeted in order to achieve RAAS modulation against diabetic CVD.

  10. Update on RAAS Modulation for the Treatment of Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease

    PubMed Central

    Michelli, Andrea; Zuolo, Giulia; Candido, Riccardo; Fabris, Bruno

    2016-01-01

    Since the advent of insulin, the improvements in diabetes detection and the therapies to treat hyperglycemia have reduced the mortality of acute metabolic emergencies, such that today chronic complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients. More than half of the mortality that is seen in the diabetic population can be ascribed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes not only myocardial infarction due to premature atherosclerosis but also diabetic cardiomyopathy. The importance of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonism in the prevention of diabetic CVD has demonstrated the key role that the RAAS plays in diabetic CVD onset and development. Today, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers represent the first line therapy for primary and secondary CVD prevention in patients with diabetes. Recent research has uncovered new dimensions of the RAAS and, therefore, new potential therapeutic targets against diabetic CVD. Here we describe the timeline of paradigm shifts in RAAS understanding, how diabetes modifies the RAAS, and what new parts of the RAAS pathway could be targeted in order to achieve RAAS modulation against diabetic CVD. PMID:27652272

  11. Predictors of early discontinuation of basal insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes in primary care.

    PubMed

    Kostev, K; Dippel, F W; Rathmann, W

    2016-04-01

    To identify patient-related characteristics and other impact factors predicting early discontinuation of basal insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes in primary care. A total of 4837 patients who started basal insulin therapy (glargine: n=3175; NPH: n=1662) in 1072 general and internal medicine practices throughout Germany were retrospectively analyzed (Disease Analyser Database: 01/2008-03/2014). Early discontinuation was defined as switching back to oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) therapy within 90 days after first basal insulin prescription (index date, ID). Patient records were assessed 365 days prior and post ID. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for age, sex, diabetes duration, diabetologist care, disease management program participation, HbA1c, and comorbidity. Within 3 months after ID, 202 (6.8%) of glargine patients switched back to OAD (NPH: 130 (8.5%); p<0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, predictors of early basal insulin discontinuation were ≥1 documented hypoglycemia before ID (adjusted Odds ratio; 95% CI: 2.20; 1.27-3.82), diagnosed depression (1.31; 1.01-1.70) and referrals to specialists within 90 days after ID (2.06; 1.61-2.63). Diabetologist care (0.57; 0.36-0.89) and glargine treatment (vs. NPH: 0.78; 0.61-0.98) were related to a lower odds of having early insulin discontinuation. Less than 10% of type 2 diabetes patients switched back to oral antidiabetic drugs within 90 days after start of basal insulin therapy. In particular, patients with baseline depression and frequent or severe hypoglycemia have a higher likelihood for early discontinuation of basal insulin, whereas use of insulin glargine and diabetologist care are related to an increased chance of continuous insulin treatment. Copyright © 2015 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Current Indications for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies and Channelopathies.

    PubMed

    González-Torrecilla, Esteban; Arenal, Angel; Atienza, Felipe; Datino, Tomás; Bravo, Loreto; Ruiz, Pablo; Ávila, Pablo; Fernández-Avilés, Francisco

    2015-01-01

    Current indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with channelopathies and cardiomyopathies of non-ischemic origin are mainly based on non-randomized evidence. In patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM), there is a tendency towards a beneficial effect on total mortality of ICD therapy in patients with significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Although an important reduction in sudden cardiac death (SCD) seems to be clearly demonstrated in these patients, a net beneficial effect on total mortality is unclear mostly in cases with good functional status. Risk stratification has been changing over the last two decades in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Its risk profile has been delineated in parallel with the beneficial effect of ICD in high risk patients. Observational results based on "appropriate" ICD interventions do support its usefulness both in primary and secondary SCD prevention in these patients. Novel risk models quantify the rate of sudden cardiac death in these patients on individual basis. Less clear risk stratification is available for cases of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and in other uncommon familiar cardiomyopathies. Main features of risk stratification vary among the different channelopathies (long QT syndrome -LQTS-, Brugada syndrome, etc) with great debate on the management of asymptomatic patients. For most familiar cardiomyopathies, ICD therapy is the only accepted strategy in the prevention of SCD. So far, genetic testing has a limited role in risk evaluation and management of the individual patient. This review aims to summarize these criticisms and to refine the current indications of ICD implantation in patients with cardiomyopathies and major channelopathies.

  13. Maternal TSH level and TPOAb status in early pregnancy and their relationship to the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Ying, Hao; Tang, Yu-Ping; Bao, Yi-Rong; Su, Xiu-Juan; Cai, XueYa; Li, Yu-Hong; Wang, De-Fen

    2016-12-01

    Subclinical hypothyroidism is common in pregnant women and often related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, but its relationship with gestational diabetes remains controversial. In particular, the impact of thyroperoxidase antibodies status on the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and gestational diabetes is not clear. We investigated the association between combined thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroperoxidase antibodies status in early pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestation) and gestational diabetes mellitus. A total of 7084 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria, which included thyroperoxidase antibodies-positive subclinical hypothyroidism [TSH(H)TPOAb(+)] (n = 78), thyroperoxidase antibodies-negative subclinical hypothyroidism [TSH(H)TPOAb(-)] (n = 281), thyroperoxidase antibodies-positive euthyroidism [TSH(N)TPOAb(+)] (n = 648), and thyroperoxidase antibodies-negative euthyroidism [TSH(N)TPOAb(-)] (n = 6077). Of the 7084 cases included in our study, 1141 cases were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in TSH(N)TPOAb(-), TSH(H)TPOAb(-), TSH(N)TPOAb(+), and TSH(H)TPOAb(+) was 14.65, 19.57, 24.85, and 46.15 %, respectively. Compared with TSH(N)TPOAb(-) women, the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus was increased in all other groups of women in early pregnancy. After dividing early pregnancy into first and second trimesters, we found that TSH(H)TPOAb(-) women in the first trimester do not show this increase. Our study suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroperoxidase antibodies-positive euthyroidism in early pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

  14. Oxidative Stress in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Caused by MYBPC3 Mutation

    PubMed Central

    Lynch, Thomas L.; Sivaguru, Mayandi; Velayutham, Murugesan; Cardounel, Arturo J.; Michels, Michelle; Barefield, David; Govindan, Suresh; dos Remedios, Cristobal; van der Velden, Jolanda; Sadayappan, Sakthivel

    2015-01-01

    Cardiomyopathies can result from mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins including MYBPC3, which encodes cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C). However, whether oxidative stress is augmented due to contractile dysfunction and cardiomyocyte damage in MYBPC3-mutated cardiomyopathies has not been elucidated. To determine whether oxidative stress markers were elevated in MYBPC3-mutated cardiomyopathies, a previously characterized 3-month-old mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) expressing a homozygous MYBPC3 mutation (cMyBP-C(t/t)) was used, compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Echocardiography confirmed decreased percentage of fractional shortening in DCM versus WT hearts. Histopathological analysis indicated a significant increase in myocardial disarray and fibrosis while the second harmonic generation imaging revealed disorganized sarcomeric structure and myocyte damage in DCM hearts when compared to WT hearts. Intriguingly, DCM mouse heart homogenates had decreased glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio and increased protein carbonyl and lipid malondialdehyde content compared to WT heart homogenates, consistent with elevated oxidative stress. Importantly, a similar result was observed in human cardiomyopathy heart homogenate samples. These results were further supported by reduced signals for mitochondrial semiquinone radicals and Fe-S clusters in DCM mouse hearts measured using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In conclusion, we demonstrate elevated oxidative stress in MYPBC3-mutated DCM mice, which may exacerbate the development of heart failure. PMID:26508994

  15. Iron overload cardiomyopathy: from diagnosis to management.

    PubMed

    Díez-López, Carles; Comín-Colet, Josep; González-Costello, José

    2018-05-01

    Iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) is an important predictor of prognosis in a significant number of patients with hereditary hemochromatosis and hematologic diseases. Its prevalence is increasing because of improved treatment strategies, which significantly improve life expectancy. We will review diagnosis, treatment, and recent findings in the field. The development of preclinical translational disease models during the last years have helped our understanding of specific disease pathophysiological pathways that might eventually change the outcomes of these patients. IOC is an overlooked disease because of the progressive silent disease pattern and the lack of physicians' expertise. It mainly affects patients with hemochromatosis and hematologic diseases and its prevalence is expected to increase with the improvement in life expectancy of hematologic disorders. Early diagnosis of IOC in patients at risk by means of biochemical parameters and cardiac imaging can lead to early treatment and improved prognosis. The mainstay of treatment of IOC is conventional heart failure treatment, combined with phlebotomies or iron chelation in the context of anemia. The development of preclinical models has provided a comprehensive look into specific pathophysiological pathways with potential treatment strategies that must be sustained by future randomized trials.

  16. Early diagnosis of diabetic vascular complications: impairment of red blood cell deformability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shin, Sehyun; Ku, Yunhee; Park, Cheol-Woo; Suh, Jang-Soo

    2006-02-01

    patients regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. In diabetic patients, early impairment in RBC deformability appears in patients with normal renal function.

  17. Spontaneously occurring restrictive nonhypertrophied cardiomyopathy in domestic cats: a new animal model of human disease.

    PubMed

    Fox, Philip R; Basso, Cristina; Thiene, Gaetano; Maron, Barry J

    2014-01-01

    Spontaneously occurring small animal models of myocardial disease, closely resembling the human condition, have been reported for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (in cats) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (in cats and boxer dogs). Nonhypertrophied restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a well-recognized but relatively uncommon primary heart muscle disease causing substantial morbidity in humans. We describe RCM occurring in felines here as a potential model of human disease. We used two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography to define morphologic and functional features of RCM in 35 domestic cats (25 male; 10±4 years old) presenting to a subspecialty veterinary clinic. Ten underwent complete necropsy examination. Echocardiographic parameters of diastolic filling were compared to those in 41 normal controls. The 35 cats presented with congestive heart failure (n=32), lethargy (n=2), or syncope (n=1), associated with thromboembolism in 5 and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in 8. During an average 4.4-year follow-up period, 18 died or were euthanized due to profound heart failure, and 3 died suddenly; survival from clinical presentation to death was 0.1 to 52 months. Echocardiographic and necropsy examination showed biatrial enlargement, nondilated ventricular chambers, and normal wall thicknesses and atrioventricular valves. Histopathology demonstrated disorganized myocyte architecture and patchy replacement myocardial fibrosis. Pulsed Doppler demonstrated restrictive physiology with increased early (E) mitral filling velocity (1.1±0.3 m/s) and peak E to peak late (A) flow ratios (4.3±1.2), reduced A filling velocity (0.3±0.1 m/s), and shortened mitral deceleration time (40.7±9.3 ms; all P<.001 vs. controls), with preserved left ventricular systolic function. A primary myocardial disease occurring spontaneously in domestic cats is remarkably similar to restrictive nondilated and nonhypertrophied cardiomyopathy in man and represents another

  18. Reversible non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction after liver transplantation: a single-centre experience.

    PubMed

    Yataco, Maria L; Difato, Thomas; Bargehr, Johannes; Rosser, Barry G; Patel, Tushar; Trejo-Gutierrez, Jorge F; Pungpapong, Surakit; Taner, C Burcin; Aranda-Michel, Jaime

    2014-07-01

    Non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NIC) is an early complication of liver transplantation (LT). Our aims were to define the prevalence, associated clinical factors, and prognosis of this condition. A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing LT at our institution from January 2005 to December 2012. Patients who developed NIC were identified. Data collected included demographic and clinical data. A total 1460 transplants were performed in this period and seventeen patients developed NIC. Pretransplant median QTc interval was 459 (range, 405-530), and median E/A ratio was 1 (range, 0.71-1.67). Fourteen patients (82%) were severely malnourished and required nutritional support. Thirteen patients (76%) had renal insufficiency. Median time to onset was 2 days post-transplant (range, 0-20). Echocardiograms showed global left ventricular hypokinesis and a decrease in ejection fraction (EF) from a median of 65% (range, 50-81) pretransplant to a median of 21% (range, 15-32). Median raw model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 29 in patients with NIC vs. 18 in patients without cardiomyopathy (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference between recipients with NIC vs. recipients without cardiomyopathy regarding donor age, donor risk index, and cold and warm ischaemia time. Recovery of cardiac function occurred in 16 patients, with a median EF of 44% (range, 25-65%) at the time of discharge. The last echocardiogram available showed a median EF of 59% (range, 49-73%). One-year survival of NIC patients was 94.1%. Non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy is a rare complication after LT. Patients with NIC are critically ill, with high MELD score, and severe malnutrition. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  19. Capillaroscopy and ECG parameters in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type I.

    PubMed

    Chakhunashvili, G; Jobava, N; Chakhunashvili, K; Shvangiradze, M; Chakhunashvili, D; Pagava, K

    2012-09-01

    Evaluate ECG parameters and detect changes in capillaroscopy parameters in children and adolescents with Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DMT1). ECG and capillaroscopy were performed in 32 children and adolescents (6-15 years old, 17 boys,15 girls) with DMT1. Disease duration - less than 2 years -13, 2-4 years - 10, 5-10 years - 9 cases. The patients were divided into two groups: I group - 12 patients with no complications of DMT1 (in all them duration of disease was less than 2 years), II group - 20 patients with diagnosed cardiac complications of DMT1 (diabetic cardiomyopathy, angiopathy). Additionally 6 of them had diabetic encephalopathy , 4 - diabetic encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy, 4 - nephropathy and retinal antipathy. Level of glycosides hemoglobin was 8-11%, level of glucose 4 to 15 mmole/L. Control group included 20 healthy children of the same age. In group I ECG is less informative. Hypertrophies of left ventricle and atrium and disorders of repolarization were mainly found in group II. In 62.5% of cases rhythm and conduction disorders were revealed, which were more often in group II. Capillaroscopy changes (pale and cyanotic background, decreasing of the number of capillaries in sight, dilated and contracted diameter, pathological shape and order of capillaries, slow blood flow) were seen both in I and II groups with more prevalence and intensity in the latter one. In children and adolescents with Diabetes mellitus type 1 ECG and capillaroscopy should be performed on the regular basis in order to reveal early changes and start the appropriate treatment in time.

  20. High prevalence of myocardial monoclonal antimyosin antibody uptake in patients with chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Obrador, D.; Ballester, M.; Carrio, I.

    1989-05-01

    Monoclonal antimyosin antibody studies were undertaken to assess the presence of myocardial uptake in patients with chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Three groups were studied: 17 patients with chronic (greater than 12 months) idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 12 patients with a large, poorly contracting left ventricle not due to dilated cardiomyopathy (control patients) and 8 normal individuals. The patients in the cardiomyopathy and control groups showed a similar degree of clinical and functional impairment. Imaging was undertaken 48 h after antimyosin injection. The heart/lung ratio of antimyosin uptake was used to assess the results. The mean ratio in the cardiomyopathy group wasmore » 1.83 +/- 0.36 (range 1.40 to 2.80), a value significantly higher than that obtained in the control patients without cardiomyopathy (mean 1.46 +/- 0.04, range 1.38 to 1.50) or normal subjects (mean 1.46 +/- 0.13, range 1.31 to 1.6) (p less than 0.01). No difference in the ratio was noted between the normal subjects and control patients. Abnormal antimyosin uptake was seen in 12 (70%) of the 17 patients with cardiomyopathy and in only 1 (8%) of the 12 control patients. Positive monoclonal antimyosin antibody studies are highly prevalent in chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.« less

  1. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and early exit from paid employment in Europe; the impact of work-related factors.

    PubMed

    Kouwenhoven-Pasmooij, T A; Burdorf, A; Roos-Hesselink, J W; Hunink, M G M; Robroek, S J W

    2016-07-15

    The aims of the study were to examine (i) the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes and exit from paid employment via disability benefits, unemployment, early retirement or other exit routes; and (ii) the impact of work-related factors on exit from paid employment among individuals with CVD or diabetes. Respondents of the longitudinal Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were included if they were aged >50years, had paid employment at baseline, and a known employment status after 2 or 6years (n=5182). A baseline-interview provided information on the presence of diagnosed CVD and diabetes, and physical and psychosocial work-related factors. During follow-up interviews information on work status was collected. Multinomial regression analyses were used to investigate the association between CVD, diabetes and exit from paid employment, and the impact of work-related factors. Workers with CVD or diabetes had significantly increased probabilities of disability benefits (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.69-3.70) and early retirement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.74), but a comparable probability of unemployment (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.71-1.71). Regarding disability benefits, individuals who had a stroke had the highest probability (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.31-9.23). Perceived high job demands with low rewards or with low control at work further increased the probability of early exit among individuals with CVD or diabetes. Our study shows a prominent role of CVD and diabetes in premature losses to the workforce, and it shows that optimizing psychosocial work-related factors could be beneficial in people with CVD or diabetes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Cell models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: advances and opportunities

    PubMed Central

    Stadiotti, Ilaria; Perrucci, Gianluca L.; Tondo, Claudio; Pompilio, Giulio

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a rare genetic disease that is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It is associated predominantly with mutations in desmosomal genes and is characterized by the replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibrous fatty deposits, arrhythmias and a high risk of sudden death. In vitro studies have contributed to our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease, including its genetic determinants, as well as its cellular, signaling and molecular defects. Here, we review what is currently known about the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and focus on the in vitro models that have advanced our understanding of the disease. Finally, we assess the potential of established and innovative cell platforms for elucidating unknown aspects of this disease, and for screening new potential therapeutic agents. This appraisal of in vitro models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy highlights the discoveries made about this disease and the uses of these models for future basic and therapeutic research. PMID:28679668

  3. The influence of type 2 diabetes and gender on ventricular repolarization dispersion in patients with sub-clinic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Jani, Ylber; Kamberi, Ahmet; Xhunga, Sotir; Pocesta, Bekim; Ferati, Fatmir; Lala, Dali; Zeqiri, Agim; Rexhepi, Atila

    2015-01-01

    To assess the influence of type 2 DM and gender, on the QT dispersion, Tpeak-Tend dispersion of ventricular repolarization, in patients with sub-clinic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction of the heart. QT dispersion, that reflects spatial inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization, Tpeak-Tend dispersion, this on the other hand reflects transmural inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization, that is increased in an early stage of cardiomyopathy, and in patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, as well. The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, a basic characteristic of diabetic heart disease (diabetic cardiomyopathy), that developes earlier than systolic dysfunction, suggests that diastolic markers might be sensitive for early cardiac injury. It is also demonstrated that gender has complex influence on indices of myocardial repolarization abnormalities such as QT interval and QT dispersion. We performed an observational study including 300 diabetic patients with similar epidemiological-demographic characteristics recruited in our institution from May 2009 to July 2014, divided into two groups. Demographic and laboratory echocardiographic data were obtained, twelve lead resting electrocardiography, QT, QTc, Tpeak-Tend-intervals and dispersion, were determined manually, and were compared between various groups. For statistical analysis a t-test, X(2) test, and logistic regression are used according to the type of variables. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for a confidence interval of 95%. QTc max. interval, QTc dispersion and Tpeak-Tend dispersion, were significantly higher in diabetic group with subclinical LV (left ventricular) diastolic dysfunction, than in diabetic group with normal left ventricular diastolic function (445.24±14.7 ms vs. 433.55±14.4 ms, P<0.000; 44.98±18.78 ms vs. 32.05±17.9 ms, P<0.000; 32.60±1.6 ms vs. 17.46±2.0 ms, P<0.02. Prolonged QTc max. interval was found in 33% of patients, indiabetic group

  4. Vector flow mapping in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to assess the relationship of early systolic left ventricular flow and the mitral valve.

    PubMed

    Ro, Richard; Halpern, Dan; Sahn, David J; Homel, Peter; Arabadjian, Milla; Lopresto, Charles; Sherrid, Mark V

    2014-11-11

    The hydrodynamic cause of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) is unresolved. This study hypothesized that echocardiographic vector flow mapping, a new echocardiographic technique, would provide insights into the cause of early SAM in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We analyzed the spatial relationship of left ventricular (LV) flow and the mitral valve leaflets (MVL) on 3-chamber vector flow mapping frames, and performed mitral valve measurements on 2-dimensional frames in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive HCM and in normal patients. We compared 82 patients (22 obstructive HCM, 23 nonobstructive HCM, and 37 normal) by measuring 164 LV pre- and post-SAM velocity vector flow maps, 82 maximum isovolumic vortices, and 328 2-dimensional frames. We observed color flow and velocity vector flow posterior to the MVL impacting them in the early systolic frames of 95% of obstructive HCM, 22% of nonobstructive HCM, and 11% of normal patients (p < 0.001). In both pre- and post-SAM frames, we measured a high angle of attack >60° of local vector flow onto the posterior surface of the leaflets whether the flow was ejection (59%) or the early systolic isovolumic vortex (41%). Ricochet of vector flow, rebounding off the leaflet into the cul-de-sac, was noted in 82% of the obstructed HCM, 9% of nonobstructive HCM, and none (0%) of the control patients (p < 0.001). Flow velocities in the LV outflow tract on the pre-SAM frame 1 and 2 mm from the tip of the anterior leaflet were low: 39 and 43 cm/s, respectively. Early systolic flow impacts the posterior surfaces of protruding MVL initiating SAM in obstructive HCM. Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Hypoglycemic action of vitamin K1 protects against early-onset diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced rats.

    PubMed

    Sai Varsha, M K N; Raman, Thiagarajan; Manikandan, R; Dhanasekaran, G

    2015-10-01

    Vitamin K is a potent regulator of vascular dynamics and prevents vascular calcification. Vitamin K is increasingly being recognized for its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Recently we demonstrated that vitamin K1 (5 mg/kg) protects against streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes and diabetic cataract. The aim of this study was to determine whether the hypoglycemic action of vitamin K1 could inhibit early-onset diabetic nephropathy in a streptozotocin-induced rat kidney. Male Wistar rats were administered with 35 mg/kg STZ and after 3 days were treated with vitamin K1 (5 mg/kg, twice a week) for 3 months. Blood glucose was monitored once a month. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed and kidney was dissected out and analysed for free radicals, antioxidants, aldose reductase, membrane ATPases, histopathology evaluation and expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Urea, uric acid, creatinine, albumin and insulin levels were also estimated. Treatment of diabetic rats with vitamin K1 resulted in a decrease in blood glucose and prevented microalbuminuria. Vitamin K1 also reduced oxidative stress and protected renal physiology by modulating Ca(2+) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPases. Vitamin K1 inhibited renal inflammation by reducing nuclear factor-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Interleukin-10 levels were increased in renal tissues, suggesting the ability of vitamin K1 to trigger antiinflammatory state. The hypoglycemic action of vitamin K1 could have an indirect effect by inhibiting early-onset diabetic nephropathy triggered by high blood glucose. Vitamin K1 could be an important nutrient based interventional strategy for early onset diabetic nephropathy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Targeted Analysis of Whole Genome Sequence Data to Diagnose Genetic Cardiomyopathy

    DOE PAGES

    Golbus, Jessica R.; Puckelwartz, Megan J.; Dellefave-Castillo, Lisa; ...

    2014-09-01

    Background—Cardiomyopathy is highly heritable but genetically diverse. At present, genetic testing for cardiomyopathy uses targeted sequencing to simultaneously assess the coding regions of more than 50 genes. New genes are routinely added to panels to improve the diagnostic yield. With the anticipated $1000 genome, it is expected that genetic testing will shift towards comprehensive genome sequencing accompanied by targeted gene analysis. Therefore, we assessed the reliability of whole genome sequencing and targeted analysis to identify cardiomyopathy variants in 11 subjects with cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results—Whole genome sequencing with an average of 37× coverage was combined with targeted analysis focused onmore » 204 genes linked to cardiomyopathy. Genetic variants were scored using multiple prediction algorithms combined with frequency data from public databases. This pipeline yielded 1-14 potentially pathogenic variants per individual. Variants were further analyzed using clinical criteria and/or segregation analysis. Three of three previously identified primary mutations were detected by this analysis. In six subjects for whom the primary mutation was previously unknown, we identified mutations that segregated with disease, had clinical correlates, and/or had additional pathological correlation to provide evidence for causality. For two subjects with previously known primary mutations, we identified additional variants that may act as modifiers of disease severity. In total, we identified the likely pathological mutation in 9 of 11 (82%) subjects. We conclude that these pilot data demonstrate that ~30-40× coverage whole genome sequencing combined with targeted analysis is feasible and sensitive to identify rare variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes.« less

  7. Early-Onset Central Diabetes Insipidus due to Compound Heterozygosity for AVP Mutations.

    PubMed

    Bourdet, Karine; Vallette, Sophie; Deladoëy, Johnny; Van Vliet, Guy

    2016-01-01

    Genetic cases of isolated central diabetes insipidus are rare, are mostly due to dominant AVP mutations and have a delayed onset of symptoms. Only 3 consanguineous pedigrees with a recessive form have been published. A boy with a negative family history presented polyuria and failure to thrive in the first months of life and was diagnosed with central diabetes insipidus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a normal posterior pituitary signal. A molecular genetic analysis of the AVP gene showed that he had inherited a previously reported mutation from his Lebanese father and a novel A>G transition in the splice acceptor site of intron 1 (IVS1-2A>G) from his French-Canadian mother. Replacement therapy resulted in the immediate disappearance of symptoms and in weight gain. The early polyuria in recessive central diabetes insipidus contrasts with the delayed presentation in patients with monoallelic AVP mutations. This diagnosis needs to be considered in infants with very early onset of polyuria-polydipsia and no brain malformation, even if there is no consanguinity and regardless of whether the posterior pituitary is visible or not on imaging. In addition to informing family counseling, making a molecular diagnosis eliminates the need for repeated imaging studies. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  8. Is endothelial microvascular function equally impaired among patients with chronic Chagas and ischemic cardiomyopathy?

    PubMed

    Borges, Juliana Pereira; Mendes, Fernanda de Souza Nogueira Sardinha; Lopes, Gabriella de Oliveira; Sousa, Andréa Silvestre de; Mediano, Mauro Felippe Felix; Tibiriçá, Eduardo

    2018-08-15

    Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and cardiomyopathies due to other etiologies involve differences in pathophysiological pathways that are still unclear. Systemic microvascular abnormalities are associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease. However, systemic microvascular endothelial function in CCC remains to be elucidated. Thus, we compared the microvascular endothelial function of patients presenting with CCC to those with ischemic cardiomyopathy disease. Microvascular reactivity was assessed in 21 patients with cardiomyopathy secondary to Chagas disease, 21 patients with cardiomyopathy secondary to ischemic disease and 21 healthy controls. Microvascular blood flow was assessed in the skin of the forearm using laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh). Peak increase in forearm blood flow with ACh iontophoresis in relation to baseline was greater in healthy controls than in patients with heart disease (controls: 162.7 ± 58.4% vs. ischemic heart disease: 74.1 ± 48.3% and Chagas: 85.1 ± 68.1%; p < 0.0001). Patients with Chagas and ischemic cardiomyopathy presented similar ACh-induced changes from baseline in skin blood flow (p = 0.55). Endothelial microvascular function was equally impaired among patients with CCC and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Targets for therapy in sarcomeric cardiomyopathies

    PubMed Central

    Tardiff, Jil C.; Carrier, Lucie; Bers, Donald M.; Poggesi, Corrado; Ferrantini, Cecilia; Coppini, Raffaele; Maier, Lars S.; Ashrafian, Houman; Huke, Sabine; van der Velden, Jolanda

    2015-01-01

    To date, no compounds or interventions exist that treat or prevent sarcomeric cardiomyopathies. Established therapies currently improve the outcome, but novel therapies may be able to more fundamentally affect the disease process and course. Investigations of the pathomechanisms are generating molecular insights that can be useful for the design of novel specific drugs suitable for clinical use. As perturbations in the heart are stage-specific, proper timing of drug treatment is essential to prevent initiation and progression of cardiac disease in mutation carrier individuals. In this review, we emphasize potential novel therapies which may prevent, delay, or even reverse hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by sarcomeric gene mutations. These include corrections of genetic defects, altered sarcomere function, perturbations in intracellular ion homeostasis, and impaired myocardial energetics. PMID:25634554

  10. Sex dimorphisms of crossbridge cycling kinetics in transgenic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mice.

    PubMed

    Birch, Camille L; Behunin, Samantha M; Lopez-Pier, Marissa A; Danilo, Christiane; Lipovka, Yulia; Saripalli, Chandra; Granzier, Henk; Konhilas, John P

    2016-07-01

    Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease of the sarcomere and may lead to hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, and/or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, or sudden cardiac death. We hypothesized that hearts from transgenic HCM mice harboring a mutant myosin heavy chain increase the energetic cost of contraction in a sex-specific manner. To do this, we assessed Ca(2+) sensitivity of tension and crossbridge kinetics in demembranated cardiac trabeculas from male and female wild-type (WT) and HCM hearts at an early time point (2 mo of age). We found a significant effect of sex on Ca(2+) sensitivity such that male, but not female, HCM mice displayed a decrease in Ca(2+) sensitivity compared with WT counterparts. The HCM transgene and sex significantly impacted the rate of force redevelopment by a rapid release-restretch protocol and tension cost by the ATPase-tension relationship. In each of these measures, HCM male trabeculas displayed a gain-of-function when compared with WT counterparts. In addition, cardiac remodeling measured by echocardiography, histology, morphometry, and posttranslational modifications demonstrated sex- and HCM-specific effects. In conclusion, female and male HCM mice display sex dimorphic crossbridge kinetics accompanied by sex- and HCM-dependent cardiac remodeling at the morphometric, histological, and cellular level. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  11. Animal and in silico models for the study of sarcomeric cardiomyopathies

    PubMed Central

    Duncker, Dirk J.; Bakkers, Jeroen; Brundel, Bianca J.; Robbins, Jeff; Tardiff, Jil C.; Carrier, Lucie

    2015-01-01

    Over the past decade, our understanding of cardiomyopathies has improved dramatically, due to improvements in screening and detection of gene defects in the human genome as well as a variety of novel animal models (mouse, zebrafish, and drosophila) and in silico computational models. These novel experimental tools have created a platform that is highly complementary to the naturally occurring cardiomyopathies in cats and dogs that had been available for some time. A fully integrative approach, which incorporates all these modalities, is likely required for significant steps forward in understanding the molecular underpinnings and pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies. Finally, novel technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, which have already been proved to work in zebrafish, are currently being employed to engineer sarcomeric cardiomyopathy in larger animals, including pigs and non-human primates. In the mouse, the increased speed with which these techniques can be employed to engineer precise ‘knock-in’ models that previously took years to make via multiple rounds of homologous recombination-based gene targeting promises multiple and precise models of human cardiac disease for future study. Such novel genetically engineered animal models recapitulating human sarcomeric protein defects will help bridging the gap to translate therapeutic targets from small animal and in silico models to the human patient with sarcomeric cardiomyopathy. PMID:25600962

  12. A fingerprint marker from early gestation associated with diabetes in middle age: The Dutch Hunger Winter Families Study

    PubMed Central

    Kahn, Henry S; Graff, Mariaelisa; Stein, Aryeh D; Lumey, L H

    2009-01-01

    Background Fetal programming of diabetes might originate in early pregnancy when fingerprints are permanently established. The mean dermatoglyphic ridge count difference between fingertips 1 and 5 (‘Md15’) varies with the early prenatal environment. We hypothesized that Md15 would be associated with adult-onset diabetes. Methods We obtained Md15 from 577 Dutch adults (aged 58.9 years, SD 1.1) whose births in 1943–47 were documented in maternity records and from 260 of their same-sex siblings for whom birth weights were not available. Of these 837 participants, complete anthropometry and diabetes status (from history or glucose tolerance test) were obtained for 819. Results After adjustment for age, sex, parental diabetes and adult anthropometry, fingerprint Md15 was associated with prevalent diabetes [odds ratio (OR) = 1.37 per 1 SD (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.84)]. This relationship held [OR = 1.40 (1.03–1.92)] for diabetic cases restricted to those recently diagnosed (within 7 years). In the birth series restricted to recently diagnosed cases, the mutually adjusted ORs were 1.34 (1.00–1.79) per SD of Md15 and 0.83 (0.62–1.10) per SD of birth weight. Further adjustments for maternal smoking, conception season or prenatal famine exposure in 1944–45 did not alter these estimates. Among 42 sibling pairs discordant for diabetes, the diabetic sibling had higher Md15 by 3.5 (0.6–6.3) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions Diabetes diagnosed at age 50+ years was associated with a fingerprint marker established in early gestation, irrespective of birth weight. Fingerprints may provide a useful tool to investigate prenatal developmental plasticity. PMID:18684786

  13. An unusual ST-segment elevation: apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy shows the ace up its sleeve.

    PubMed

    de Santis, Francesco; Pergolini, Amedeo; Zampi, Giordano; Pero, Gaetano; Pino, Paolo Giuseppe; Minardi, Giovanni

    2013-01-01

    Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is part of the broad clinical and morphologic spectrum of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We report a patient with electrocardiographic abnormalities in whom acute coronary syndrome was excluded and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was demonstrated by careful differential diagnosis. Copyright © 2012 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

  14. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with Miller-Fisher syndrome.

    PubMed

    Gill, Dalvir; Liu, Kan

    2017-07-01

    51-year-old female who presented with progressive paresthesia, numbness of the lower extremities, double vision, and trouble walking. Physical exam was remarkable for areflexia, and ptosis. Her initial EKG showed nonspecific ST segment changes and her Troponin T was elevated to 0.41ng/mL which peaked at 0.66ng/mL. Echocardiogram showed a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction to 35% with severely hypokinetic anterior wall and left ventricular apex was severely hypokinetic. EMG nerve conduction study showed severely decreased conduction velocity and prolonged distal latency in all nerves consistent with demyelinating disease. She was treated with 5days of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy to which she showed significant improvement in strength in her lower extremities. Echocardiogram repeated 4days later showing an improved left ventricular ejection fraction of 55% and no left ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of Miller-Fisher syndrome and literature review did not reveal any cases. Miller-Fisher syndrome is an autoimmune process that affects the peripheral nervous system causing autonomic dysfunction which may involve the heart. Due to significant autonomic dysfunction in Miller-Fisher syndrome, it could lead to arrhythmias, blood pressure changes, acute coronary syndrome and myocarditis, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be difficult to distinguish. The treatment of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is supportive with beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are recommended until left ventricle ejection fraction improvement. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare complication during the acute phase of Miller-Fisher syndrome and must be distinguished from autonomic dysfunction as both diagnoses have different approaches to treatment. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  15. Molecular imaging reveals elevated VEGFR-2 expression in retinal capillaries in diabetes: a novel biomarker for early diagnosis

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Dawei; Nakao, Shintaro; Xie, Fang; Zandi, Souska; Bagheri, Abouzar; Kanavi, Mozhgan Rezaei; Samiei, Shahram; Soheili, Zahra-Soheila; Frimmel, Sonja; Zhang, Zhongyu; Ablonczy, Zsolt; Ahmadieh, Hamid; Hafezi-Moghadam, Ali

    2014-01-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss. Biomarkers and methods for early diagnosis of DR are urgently needed. Using a new molecular imaging approach, we show up to 94% higher accumulation of custom designed imaging probes against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in retinal and choroidal vessels of diabetic animals (P<0.01), compared to normal controls. More than 80% of the VEGFR-2 in the diabetic retina was in the capillaries, compared to 47% in normal controls (P<0.01). Angiography in rabbit retinas revealed microvascular capillaries to be the location for VEGF-A-induced leakage, as expressed by significantly higher rate of fluorophore spreading with VEGF-A injection when compared to vehicle control (26±2 vs. 3±1 μm/s, P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed VEGFR-2 expression in capillaries of diabetic animals but not in normal controls. Macular vessels from diabetic patients (n=7) showed significantly more VEGFR-2 compared to nondiabetic controls (n=5) or peripheral retinal regions of the same retinas (P<0.01 in both cases). Here we introduce a new approach for early diagnosis of DR and VEGFR-2 as a molecular marker. VEGFR-2 could become a key diagnostic target, one that might help to prevent retinal vascular leakage and proliferation in diabetic patients.—Sun, D., Nakao, S., Xie, F., Zandi, S., Bagheri, A., Kanavi, M. R., Samiei, S., Soheili, Z.-S., Frimmel, S., Zhang, Z., Ablonczy, Z., Ahmadieh, H., Hafezi-Moghadam, A. Molecular imaging reveals elevated VEGFR-2 expression in retinal capillaries in diabetes: a novel biomarker for early diagnosis. PMID:24903276

  16. Risk of Vaginal Infections at Early Gestation in Patients with Diabetic Conditions during Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

    PubMed

    Marschalek, Julian; Farr, Alex; Kiss, Herbert; Hagmann, Michael; Göbl, Christian S; Trofaier, Marie-Louise; Kueronya, Verena; Petricevic, Ljubomir

    2016-01-01

    Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are reported to be at increased risk for infections of the genital tract. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Candida colonization at early gestation between pregnant women with and without diabetic conditions during pregnancy. We included data from 8, 486 singleton pregnancies that underwent an antenatal infection screen-and-treat programme at our department. All women with GDM or pre-existing diabetes were retrospectively assigned to the diabetic group (DIAB), whereas non-diabetic women served as controls (CON). Prevalence for BV and Candida colonization was 9% and 14% in the DIAB group, and 9% and 13% in the CON group, respectively (n.s.). No significant difference regarding stillbirth and preterm delivery (PTD), defined as a delivery earlier than 37 + 0 (37 weeks plus 0 days) weeks of gestation was found. We could not find an increased risk of colonization with vaginal pathogens at early gestation in pregnant women with diabetes, compared to non-diabetic women. Large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the long-term risk of colonization with vaginal pathogens during the course of pregnancy in these women.

  17. Acromegaly-induced cardiomyopathy with dobutamine-induced outflow tract obstruction.

    PubMed

    Abdelsalam, Mahmoud A; Nippoldt, Todd B; Geske, Jeffrey B

    2016-03-09

    A 50-year-old man with a history of acromegaly was referred for preoperative cardiac evaluation preceding trans-sphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was negative for myocardial ischaemia. Resting left ventricular (LV) LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 64% and there was hypertrophy of ventricular septum (18 mm) without resting LV outflow tract obstruction. With 40 µg/kg/min of dobutamine, the LVEF became hyperdynamic at 80%, and there was a maximal instantaneous LV outflow tract gradient of 77 mm Hg. There was no delayed myocardial enhancement on cardiac MRI and the pattern of hypertrophy was concentric. Acromegaly-induced cardiomyopathy can mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the setting of dobutamine provocation. Because cardiomyopathy is an important cause of mortality in acromegaly, diagnosis and appropriate management are critical to improve survival. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

  18. Rapamycin decreased blood-brain barrier permeability in control but not in diabetic rats in early cerebral ischemia.

    PubMed

    Chi, Oak Z; Kiss, Geza K; Mellender, Scott J; Liu, Xia; Weiss, Harvey R

    2017-07-27

    Diabetes causes functional and structural changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been associated with glucose metabolism, diabetes, and altering BBB permeability. Since there is only a narrow therapeutic window (3h) for stroke victims, it is important to investigate BBB disruption in the early stage of cerebral ischemia. We compared the degree of BBB disruption in diabetic and in control rats at two hours of reperfusion after one hour of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with or without inhibition of mTOR. Two weeks after streptozotocin ip to induce diabetes, MCA occlusion was performed. In half of the rats, an mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin was given for 2days before MCA occlusion. After one hour of MCA occlusion and two hours of the reperfusion, the transfer coefficient (K i ) of 14 C-α-aminoisobutyric acid was determined to quantify degree of BBB disruption. Ischemia-reperfusion increased the K i in the control animals. Streptozotocin increased the K i in the ischemic-reperfused (IR-C, +22%) as well as in the contralateral cortex (CC, +40%). Rapamycin decreased the K i in the IR-C (-32%) as well as in the CC (-26%) in the control rats. However, rapamycin did not affect K i in the IR-C or in the CC in the diabetic rats. Our data demonstrated a greater BBB disruption in diabetes in the ischemic as well as non-ischemic cortex even in the early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and that acute administration of rapamycin did not significantly affect BBB permeability in diabetes. From our quantitative analysis of BBB disruption, the vulnerability of BBB in diabetes has been emphasized in the early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and a less important role of the mTOR pathway is suggested in altering BBB permeability in diabetes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Associated With Long-Term Use of Hydroxychloroquine for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Sabato, Leah A; Mendes, Lisa A; Cox, Zachary L

    2017-10-01

    Hydroxychloroquine (HQ) is commonly prescribed for autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a case of a 75-year-old female presenting with de novo decompensated heart failure and restrictive cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction: 40%-45%) after treatment with HQ for more than 11 years. Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued, and follow-up echocardiogram 57 days after discontinuation showed normalization of her left ventricular ejection fraction. A score of 7 on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale indicates that HQ is a probable cause of this patient's cardiomyopathy. An adverse drug effect due to HQ should be considered in treated patients who present with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Discontinuation may allow for partial or complete reversal of the cardiomyopathy.

  20. Therapeutic effect of the compound Danshen dripping pill combined with laser acupoint irradiation on early diabetic retinopathy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Hui-Hui; Xiong, Guo-Xin; Zhang, Li-Ping

    2017-06-01

    To investigate the therapeutic effect of the compound Danshen dripping pill combined with laser acupoint irradiation on early diabetic retinopathy, 19 patients with early diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The TaiYang, YangBai, YuYao and ZanZhu acupoints of patients in the treatment group were irradiated with a semiconductor laser combined with the oral compound Danshen dropping pills, while those in the control group only used the oral compound Danshen dropping pills. The indicators of vision, mean defect of light sensitivity in the visual field, renal function and fasting blood glucose, were examined to evaluate the efficacy. After treatment, the above indicators of patients in the two groups were significantly improved and there was a significant difference between the two groups. This showed that the compound Danshen dripping pills combined with the laser acupoint irradiation can improve the ischemic and anoxic state of early diabetic retinopathy and improve the visual field.

  1. Determination of multidirectional myocardial deformations in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Ryohei; Mochizuki, Yohei; Yoshimatsu, Hiroki; Teshima, Takahiro; Matsumoto, Hirotaka; Koyama, Hidekazu

    2017-12-01

    Objectives Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a primary disorder of the myocardium, is the most common cardiac disease in cats. However, determination of myocardial deformation with two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in cats with various stages of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has not yet been reported. This study was designed to measure quantitatively multidirectional myocardial deformations of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods Thirty-two client-owned cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 14 healthy cats serving as controls were enrolled and underwent assessment of myocardial deformation (peak systolic strain and strain rate) in the longitudinal, radial and circumferential directions. Results Longitudinal and radial deformations were reduced in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, despite normal systolic function determined by conventional echocardiography. Cats with severely symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy also had lower peak systolic circumferential strain, in addition to longitudinal and radial strain. Conclusions and relevance Longitudinal and radial deformation may be helpful in the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, the lower circumferential deformation in cats with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may contribute to clinical findings of decompensation, and seems to be related to severe cardiac clinical signs. Indices of multidirectional myocardial deformations by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography may be useful markers and help to distinguish between cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and healthy cats. Additionally, they may provide more detailed assessment of contractile function in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

  2. A Novel Early Pregnancy Risk Prediction Model for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

    PubMed

    Sweeting, Arianne N; Wong, Jencia; Appelblom, Heidi; Ross, Glynis P; Kouru, Heikki; Williams, Paul F; Sairanen, Mikko; Hyett, Jon A

    2018-06-13

    Accurate early risk prediction for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) would target intervention and prevention in women at the highest risk. We evaluated novel biomarker predictors to develop a first-trimester risk prediction model in a large multiethnic cohort. Maternal clinical, aneuploidy and pre-eclampsia screening markers (PAPP-A, free hCGβ, mean arterial pressure, uterine artery pulsatility index) were measured prospectively at 11-13+6 weeks' gestation in 980 women (248 with GDM; 732 controls). Nonfasting glucose, lipids, adiponectin, leptin, lipocalin-2, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 were measured on banked serum. The relationship between marker multiples-of-the-median and GDM was examined with multivariate regression. Model predictive performance for early (< 24 weeks' gestation) and overall GDM diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves. Glucose, triglycerides, leptin, and lipocalin-2 were higher, while adiponectin was lower, in GDM (p < 0.05). Lipocalin-2 performed best in Caucasians, and triglycerides in South Asians with GDM. Family history of diabetes, previous GDM, South/East Asian ethnicity, parity, BMI, PAPP-A, triglycerides, and lipocalin-2 were significant independent GDM predictors (all p < 0.01), achieving an area under the curve of 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.94) overall, and 0.93 (95% CI 0.89-0.96) for early GDM, in a combined multivariate prediction model. A first-trimester risk prediction model, which incorporates novel maternal lipid markers, accurately identifies women at high risk of GDM, including early GDM. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  3. Loss of Intralipid®- but Not Sevoflurane-Mediated Cardioprotection in Early Type-2 Diabetic Hearts of Fructose-Fed Rats: Importance of ROS Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Liyan; Affolter, Andreas; Gandhi, Manoj; Hersberger, Martin; Warren, Blair E.; Lemieux, Hélène; Sobhi, Hany F.; Clanachan, Alexander S.; Zaugg, Michael

    2014-01-01

    Background Insulin resistance and early type-2 diabetes are highly prevalent. However, it is unknown whether Intralipid® and sevoflurane protect the early diabetic heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods Early type-2 diabetic hearts from Sprague-Dawley rats fed for 6 weeks with fructose were exposed to 15 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion. Intralipid® (1%) was administered at the onset of reperfusion. Peri-ischemic sevoflurane (2 vol.-%) served as alternative protection strategy. Recovery of left ventricular function was recorded and the activation of Akt and ERK 1/2 was monitored. Mitochondrial function was assessed by high-resolution respirometry and mitochondrial ROS production was measured by Amplex Red and aconitase activity assays. Acylcarnitine tissue content was measured and concentration-response curves of complex IV inhibition by palmitoylcarnitine were obtained. Results Intralipid® did not exert protection in early diabetic hearts, while sevoflurane improved functional recovery. Sevoflurane protection was abolished by concomitant administration of the ROS scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine. Sevoflurane, but not Intralipid® produced protective ROS during reperfusion, which activated Akt. Intralipid® failed to inhibit respiratory complex IV, while sevoflurane inhibited complex I. Early diabetic hearts exhibited reduced carnitine-palmitoyl-transferase-1 activity, but palmitoylcarnitine could not rescue protection and enhance postischemic functional recovery. Cardiac mitochondria from early diabetic rats exhibited an increased content of subunit IV-2 of respiratory complex IV and of uncoupling protein-3. Conclusions Early type-2 diabetic hearts lose complex IV-mediated protection by Intralipid® potentially due to a switch in complex IV subunit expression and increased mitochondrial uncoupling, but are amenable to complex I-mediated sevoflurane protection. PMID:25127027

  4. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the evaluation of hypertrophic and infiltrative cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    O'Hanlon, Rory; Pennell, Dudley J

    2009-07-01

    There is often considerable phenotypic overlap in hypertrophic and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. This overlap creates difficulties, when using routine imaging modalities, in arriving at a conclusive diagnosis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can make diagnosis easier and more certain. Used with gadolinium contrast agent for tissue characterization, CMR offers a superior field of view and temporal resolution, enabling clinicians to make more confident assessments of etiology. CMR may also be a useful modality for stratifying risk and monitoring treatment responses over time in patients with hypertrophic or infiltrative cardiomyopathies. This article highlights the role of CMR in the assessment and, if relevant, the risk stratification of hypertrophic and infiltrative cardiomyopathies.

  5. Sex and Gender Differences in Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Fairweather, DeLisa; Cooper, Leslie T; Blauwet, Lori A

    2014-01-01

    Heart failure due to nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) contributes significantly to the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Myocarditis is in turn a major cause of acute dilated cardiomyopathy in both men and women. However, recent clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the pathogenesis and prognosis of DCM differ between the sexes. This seminar provides a contemporary perspective on the immune mediators of myocarditis, including interdependent elements of the innate and adaptive immune response. The heart's acute response to injury is influenced by sex hormones that appear to determine the subsequent risk of chronic DCM. Preliminary data suggest additional genetic variations may account for some of the differences in epidemiology, left ventricular recovery and survival between men and women. We highlight the gaps in our knowledge regarding the management of women with acute DCM and discuss emerging therapies, including bromocriptine for the treatment of peripartum cardiomyopathy. PMID:23158412

  6. Early Invasive Strategy and In-Hospital Survival Among Diabetics With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Contemporary National Insight.

    PubMed

    Mahmoud, Ahmed N; Elgendy, Islam Y; Mansoor, Hend; Wen, Xuerong; Mojadidi, Mohammad K; Bavry, Anthony A; Anderson, R David

    2017-03-18

    There are limited data on the merits of an early invasive strategy in diabetics with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, with unclear influence of this strategy on survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in-hospital survival of diabetics with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with an early invasive strategy compared with an initial conservative strategy. The National Inpatient Sample database, years 2012-2013, was queried for diabetics with a primary diagnosis of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome defined as either non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina (unstable angina). An early invasive strategy was defined as coronary angiography±revascularization within 48 hours of admission. Propensity scores were used to assemble a cohort managed with either an early invasive or initial conservative strategy balanced on >50 baseline characteristics and hospital presentations. Incidence of in-hospital mortality was compared in both groups. In a cohort of 363 500 diabetics with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, 164 740 (45.3%) were treated with an early invasive strategy. Propensity scoring matched 21 681 diabetics in both arms. Incidence of in-hospital mortality was lower with an early invasive strategy in both the unadjusted (2.0% vs 4.8%; odds ratio [OR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.39-0.42; P <0.0001) and propensity-matched models (2.2% vs 3.8%; OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.50-0.63; P <0.0001). The benefit was observed across various subgroups, except for patients with unstable angina ( P interaction =0.02). An early invasive strategy may be associated with a lower incidence of in-hospital mortality in patients with diabetes. The benefit of this strategy appears to be superior in patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction compared with unstable angina. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

  7. Sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: genetic profile in a Portuguese population.

    PubMed

    Brito, Dulce; Miltenberger-Miltenyi, Gabriel; Vale Pereira, Sónia; Silva, Doroteia; Diogo, António Nunes; Madeira, Hugo

    2012-09-01

    Sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has heterogeneous phenotypic expressions, of which sudden cardiac death is the most feared. A genetic diagnosis is essential to identify subjects at risk in each family. The spectrum of disease-causing mutations in the Portuguese population is unknown. Seventy-seven unrelated probands with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were systematically screened for mutations by PCR and sequencing of five sarcomeric genes: MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3 and MYL2. Familial cosegregation analysis was performed in most patients. Thirty-four different mutations were identified in 41 (53%) index patients, 71% with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The most frequently involved gene was MYBPC3 (66%) with 22 different mutations (8 novel) in 27 patients, followed by MYH7 (22%), TNNT2 (12%) and TNNI3 (2.6%). In three patients (7%), two mutations were found in MYBPC3 and/or MYH7. Additionally, 276 relatives were screened, leading to the identification of a mean of three other affected relatives for each pedigree with the familial form of the disease. Disease-associated mutations were identified mostly in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, corroborating the idea that rarely studied genes may be implicated in sporadic forms. Private mutations are the rule, MYBPC3 being the most commonly involved gene. Mutations in MYBPC3 and MYH7 accounted for most cases of sarcomere-related disease. Multiple mutations in these genes may occur, which highlights the importance of screening both. The detection of novel mutations strongly suggests that all coding regions should be systematically screened. Genotyping in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy enables a more precise diagnosis of the disease, with implications for risk stratification and genetic counseling. Copyright © 2011 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

  8. [Myocardial regional thickness in patients with and without cardiomyopathy assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance].

    PubMed

    de Zan, Macarena; Carrascosa, Patricia; Deviggiano, Alejandro; Capuñay, Carlos; Rodríguez-Granillo, Gastón A

    To explore regional differences in myocardial wall thickness (WT) among the most prevalent cardiomyopathies and in individuals without structural heart disease using cardiac magnetic resonance. Patients older than 18 years referred to cardiac magnetic resonance during the period between January 2014 and September 2014, with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis were retrospectively selected from our database. One hundred twenty patients patients were included. The control group had an average WT of 5.9±1.1mm, with a WT index of 2.9±0.8. Significantly lower mean WT in the apical segments were identified in both the control group (basal 6.7±1.3 vs. mid 6.0±1.3 vs. apical 4.6±1.0mm, P<.0001) and in all evaluated cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: basal 10.5±2.4 vs. mid 10.8±2.7 vs. apical 7.3±3.3mm, P<.0001; idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: basal 7.7±1.7 vs. mid 7.6±1.3 vs. apical 5.4±1.3mm, P<.0001; ischemic cardiomyopathy: basal 7.4±1.7 vs. mid 7.5±1.9 vs. apical 5.5±1.8mm, P<.0001; myocarditis: basal 7.1±1.5 vs. mid 6.4±1.1 vs. apical 5.1±0.8, P<.0001). Significant gender differences were also evident regarding the mean WT both in the control group (male 6.5±2.1 vs. female 5.2±1.7mm, P<.0001), as in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (10.5±5.3 vs. 8.5±5.7mm, P<.0001) and myocarditis (6.6±2.0 vs. 5.2±1.6mm, P<.0001). We found a relatively high prevalence of segments commonly deemed thinned among patients without structural heart disease. We also observed a marked asymmetry and longitudinal gradient in wall thickness both in controls and in the various cardiomyopathies evaluated. Copyright © 2016 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

  9. [Gene mutation and clinical phenotype analysis of patients with Noonan syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

    PubMed

    Liu, X H; Ding, W W; Han, L; Liu, X R; Xiao, Y Y; Yang, J; Mo, Y

    2017-10-02

    Objective: To analyze the gene mutations and clinical features of patients with Noonan syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Method: Determined the mutation domain in five cases diagnosed with Noonan syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and identified the relationship between the mutant domain and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by searching relevant articles in pubmed database. Result: Three mutant genes (PTPN11 gene in chromosome 12, RIT1 gene in chromosome 1 and RAF1 gene in chromosome 3) in five cases all had been reported to be related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The reported hypertrophic cardiomyopathy relevant genes MYPN, MYH6 and MYBP3 had also been found in case 1 and 2. Patients with same gene mutation had different clinical manifestations. Both case 4 and 5 had RAF1 mutation (c.770C>T). However, case 4 had special face, low IQ, mild pulmonary artery stenosis, and only mild ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion: Noonan syndrome is a genetic heterogeneity disease. Our study identified specific gene mutations that could result in Noonan syndrome with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy through molecular biology methods. The results emphasize the importance of gene detection in the management of Noonan syndrome.

  10. Deletion of thioredoxin-interacting protein improves cardiac inotropic reserve in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic heart.

    PubMed

    Myers, Ronald B; Fomovsky, Gregory M; Lee, Samuel; Tan, Max; Wang, Bing F; Patwari, Parth; Yoshioka, Jun

    2016-06-01

    Although the precise pathogenesis of diabetic cardiac damage remains unclear, potential mechanisms include increased oxidative stress, autonomic nervous dysfunction, and altered cardiac metabolism. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) was initially identified as an inhibitor of the antioxidant thioredoxin but is now recognized as a member of the arrestin superfamily of adaptor proteins that classically regulate G protein-coupled receptor signaling. Here we show that Txnip plays a key role in diabetic cardiomyopathy. High glucose levels induced Txnip expression in rat cardiomyocytes in vitro and in the myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice in vivo. While hyperglycemia did not induce cardiac dysfunction at baseline, β-adrenergic challenge revealed a blunted myocardial inotropic response in diabetic animals (24-wk-old male and female C57BL/6;129Sv mice). Interestingly, diabetic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Txnip retained a greater cardiac response to β-adrenergic stimulation than wild-type mice. This benefit in Txnip-knockout hearts was not related to the level of thioredoxin activity or oxidative stress. Unlike the β-arrestins, Txnip did not interact with β-adrenergic receptors to desensitize downstream signaling. However, our proteomic and functional analyses demonstrated that Txnip inhibits glucose transport through direct binding to glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). An ex vivo analysis of perfused hearts further demonstrated that the enhanced functional reserve afforded by deletion of Txnip was associated with myocardial glucose utilization during β-adrenergic stimulation. These data provide novel evidence that hyperglycemia-induced Txnip is responsible for impaired cardiac inotropic reserve by direct regulation of insulin-independent glucose uptake through GLUT1 and plays a role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  11. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Treatment with Dopamine Agonist and Subsequent Pregnancy with a Satisfactory Outcome.

    PubMed

    Melo, Maria Adélia Medeiros E; Carvalho, Jordão Sousa; Feitosa, Francisco Edson de Lucena; Araujo Júnior, Edward; Peixoto, Alberto Borges; Costa Carvalho, Francisco Herlânio; Carvalho, Regina Coeli Marques

    2016-06-01

    Pathophysiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy are not yet completely defined, although there is a strong association with various factors that are already known, including pre-eclampsia. Peripartum cardiomyopathy treatment follows the same recommendations as heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that products of prolactin degradation can induce this cardiomyopathy. The pharmacological suppression of prolactin production by D2 dopamine receptor agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline has demonstrated satisfactory results in the therapeutic response to the treatment. Here we present a case of an adolescent patient in her first gestation with peripartum cardiomyopathy that evolved to the normalized left ventricular function after cabergoline administration, which was used as an adjuvant in cardiac dysfunction treatment. Subsequently, despite a short interval between pregnancies, the patient exhibited satisfactory progress throughout the entire gestation or puerperium in a new pregnancy without any cardiac alterations. Dopamine agonists that are orally used and are affordable in most tertiary centers, particularly in developing countries, should be considered when treating peripartum cardiomyopathy cases. Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  12. Hypophosphatemia-induced Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Ariyoshi, Nobuhiro; Nogi, Masayuki; Ando, Akika; Watanabe, Hideaki; Umekawa, Sari

    2016-09-01

    Relatively few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of hypophosphatemia on cardiac function. The goal of this review was to determine whether there is an association between hypophosphatemia and cardiac function and to increase awareness of hypophosphatemia-induced cardiomyopathy as a new clinical entity and a reversible cause of heart failure. We searched MEDLINE and PubMed from 1971 until March 2015 for primary studies, which reported the relationship between hypophosphatemia and cardiac function. A total of 837 articles were initially obtained. Of these articles, 826 publications were excluded according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In all, 11 articles were included in this review. These articles included 7 case series or case reports, 1 case-control study, 1 pretest versus posttest in a single group and 2 animal studies. In conclusion, the mechanisms of hypophosphatemia in cardiomyopathy have been reported to be a depletion of adenosine triphosphate in myocardial cells and decreased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes. After correction of hypophosphatemia, left ventricular performance seems to improve in patients with severe hypophosphatemia, but not in those with mild-to-moderate hypophosphatemia. However, analyses of the relationship between cardiac function and hypophosphatemia using clinical end points have not been conducted. Copyright © 2016 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. The Mitochondria in Diabetic Heart Failure: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Promise

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Significance: Diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF). Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the population, strategies are needed to reduce the burden of HF in these patients. Recent Advances: Diabetes is associated with several pathologic findings in the heart including dysregulated metabolism, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a central mediator of these pathologic responses. The development of therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondrial biology holds promise for the management of HF in diabetic patients. Critical Issues: Despite significant data implicating mitochondrial pathology in diabetic cardiomyopathy, the optimal pharmacologic approach to improve mitochondrial function remains undefined. Future Directions: Detailed mechanistic studies coupled with more robust clinical phenotyping will be necessary to develop novel approaches to improve cardiac function in diabetes. Moreover, understanding the interplay between diabetes and other cardiac stressors (hypertension, ischemia, and valvular disease) will be of the utmost importance for clinical translation of scientific discoveries made in this field. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 22, 1515–1526. PMID:25761843

  14. [Sacubitril / Valsartan in patients with diabetes and heart failure].

    PubMed

    Brandenburg, Vincent Matthias; Rocca, Hans-Peter Brunner-La; Marx, Nikolaus

    2016-10-01

    Sacubitril / Valsartan proofed to be an effective treatment compared to enalapril in reducing heart failure hospitalisations and mortality in patients with severe "Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction" (HFREF). Recent European cardiology guidelines attributed a class IB recommendation for Sacubitril / Valsartan in HFREF patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal treatment with ACE-I, a beta-blocker, and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. There is a significant overlap between diabetic and HFREF patients and thus, efficacy assessment of Sacubitril / Valsartan is a clinically meaningful issue in the large subgroup of HFREF patients with diabetes. We discuss the present evidence why local authorities speculated about a potential interaction between the two diseases decreasing the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in terms of reducing relevant end-points in this cohort. Overall, Sacubitril / Valsartan is obviously a treatment option in diabetics with HFREF. However, diabetic cardiomyopathy needs to be recognised as a specific disease condition. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  15. Academic skills in children with early-onset type 1 diabetes: the effects of diabetes-related risk factors.

    PubMed

    Hannonen, Riitta; Komulainen, Jorma; Riikonen, Raili; Ahonen, Timo; Eklund, Kenneth; Tolvanen, Asko; Keskinen, Päivi; Nuuja, Anja

    2012-05-01

    The study aimed to assess the effects of diabetes-related risk factors, especially severe hypoglycaemia,on the academic skills of children with early-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The study comprised 63 children with T1DM (31 females, 32 males; mean age 9 y 11 mo,SD 4 mo) and 92 comparison children without diabetes (40 females, 52 males;mean age 9 y 9 mo,SD 3 mo). Children were included if T1DM had been diagnosed before the age of 5 years and if they were aged between 9 and 10 years at the time of study. Children were not included if their native language was not Finnish and if they had a diagnosed neurological disorder that affected their cognitive development. Among the T1DM group, 37 had and 26 had not experienced severe hypoglycaemia and 26 had avoided severe hypoglycaemia. Severe hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA), and glycaemic control were used as T1DM-related factors. Task performance in reading, spelling, and mathematics was compared among the three groups, and the effects of the T1DM-related factors were analysed with general linear models. The groups with (p<0.001) and without (p=0.001) severe hypoglycaemia demonstrated a poorer performance than the comparison group in spelling, and the group without severe hypoglycaemia showed a poorer performance than the comparison group in mathematics (p=0.003).Severe hypoglycaemia, DKA, and recent glycaemic control were not associated with poorer skills,but poorer first-year glycaemic control was associated with poorer spelling (p=0.013). An early onset of T1DM can increase the risk of learning problems, independently of the history of severe hypoglycaemia or DKA. Poorer glycaemic control after the first year of T1DM is associated with a poorer acquisition of academic skills indicating the effect of the timing of metabolic aberrations on cognitive development.

  16. Signaling mechanisms of a water soluble curcumin derivative in experimental type 1 diabetes with cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Aziz, Mohamed Talaat Abdel; El Ibrashy, Ibrahim Naguib; Mikhailidis, Dimitri P; Rezq, Ameen Mahmoud; Wassef, Mohamed Abdel Aziz; Fouad, Hanan Hassan; Ahmed, Hanan Hosni; Sabry, Dina A; Shawky, Heba Mohamed; Hussein, Rania Elsayed

    2013-03-12

    Curcumin exhibits anti-diabetic activities, induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and is an inhibitor of transcriptional co-activator p300. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low invivo bioavailability of curcumin. We evaluated the effect of the NCD on signaling mechanisms involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and studied whether its action is mediated via inducible HO-1. Rats were divided into controls, controls receiving NCD, diabetic, diabetic receiving NCD, diabetic receiving pure curcumin, diabetic receiving HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) and diabetic receiving NCD and ZnPP IX. NCD and curcumin were given orally. After 45 days, cardiac physiologic parameters, plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (GHb), HO-1 gene expression and HO activity in pancreas and cardiac tissues were assessed. Gene expression of p300, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2A and MEF2C) were studied. NCD and curcumin decreased plasma glucose, GHb and increased insulin levels significantly in diabetic rats. This action may be partially mediated by induction of HO-1 gene. HO-1 gene expression and HO activity were significantly increased in diabetic heart and pancreas. Diabetes upregulated the expression of ANP, MEF2A, MEF2C and p300. NCD and curcumin prevented diabetes-induced upregulation of these parameters and improved left ventricular function. The effect of the NCD was better than the same dose of curcumin.

  17. Signaling mechanisms of a water soluble curcumin derivative in experimental type 1 diabetes with cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Curcumin exhibits anti-diabetic activities, induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and is an inhibitor of transcriptional co-activator p300. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low invivo bioavailability of curcumin. We evaluated the effect of the NCD on signaling mechanisms involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and studied whether its action is mediated via inducible HO-1. Materials and methods Rats were divided into controls, controls receiving NCD, diabetic, diabetic receiving NCD, diabetic receiving pure curcumin, diabetic receiving HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) and diabetic receiving NCD and ZnPP IX. NCD and curcumin were given orally. After 45 days, cardiac physiologic parameters, plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (GHb), HO-1 gene expression and HO activity in pancreas and cardiac tissues were assessed. Gene expression of p300, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2A and MEF2C) were studied. Results NCD and curcumin decreased plasma glucose, GHb and increased insulin levels significantly in diabetic rats. This action may be partially mediated by induction of HO-1 gene. HO-1 gene expression and HO activity were significantly increased in diabetic heart and pancreas. Diabetes upregulated the expression of ANP, MEF2A, MEF2C and p300. NCD and curcumin prevented diabetes-induced upregulation of these parameters and improved left ventricular function. The effect of the NCD was better than the same dose of curcumin. PMID:23497378

  18. Salicylate-based anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the early lesion of diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Ling; Howell, Scott J; Hatala, Denise A; Huang, Kun; Kern, Timothy S

    2007-02-01

    It has been previously reported that aspirin inhibited the development of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic animals, raising the possibility that anti-inflammatory drugs may have beneficial effects on diabetic retinopathy. To further explore this, we compared effects of oral consumption of three different salicylate-based drugs (aspirin, sodium salicylate, and sulfasalazine) on the development of early stages of diabetic retinopathy in rats. These three drugs differ in their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase but share an ability to inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Diabetes of 9-10 months duration significantly increased the number of TUNEL (transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling)-positive capillary cells and acellular (degenerate) capillaries in the retinal vasculature, and all three salicylate-based drugs inhibited this cell death and formation of acellular capillaries without altering the severity of hyperglycemia. In short-term diabetes (2-4 months), all three salicylates inhibited the diabetes-induced loss of neuronal cells from the ganglion cell layer. Oral aspirin (as a representative of the salicylate family) inhibited diabetes-induced increase in NF-kappaB DNA-binding affinity in electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transcription factor array in nuclear extract isolated from whole retina. All three salicylates inhibited the diabetes-induced translocation of p50 (a subunit of NF-kappaB) into nuclei of retinal vascular endothelial cells of the isolated retinal vasculature, as well as of p50 and p65 into nuclei of cells in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer on whole-retinal sections. Sulfasalazine (also as a representative of the salicylates) inhibited the diabetes-induced upregulation of several inflammatory gene products, which are regulated by NF-kappaB, including vascular cell adhesion molecule, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in whole-retinal lysate. Salicylates, in

  19. Characterization and Long-Term Prognosis of Postmyocarditic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Compared With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Merlo, Marco; Anzini, Marco; Bussani, Rossana; Artico, Jessica; Barbati, Giulia; Stolfo, Davide; Gigli, Marta; Muça, Matilda; Naso, Paola; Ramani, Federica; Di Lenarda, Andrea; Pinamonti, Bruno; Sinagra, Gianfranco

    2016-09-15

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) is the final common pathway of different pathogenetic processes and presents a significant prognostic heterogeneity, possibly related to its etiologic variety. The characterization and long-term prognosis of postmyocarditic dilated cardiomyopathy (PM-DC) remain unknown. This study assesses the clinical-instrumental evolution and long-term prognosis of a large cohort of patients with PM-DC. We analyzed 175 patients affected with DC consecutively enrolled from 1993 to 2008 with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) data available. PM-DC was defined in the presence of borderline myocarditis at EMB or persistent left ventricular dysfunction 1 year after diagnosis of active myocarditis at EMB. Other patients were defined as affected by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Analysis of follow-up evaluations was performed at 24, 60, and 120 months. We found 72 PM-DC of 175 enrolled patients (41%). Compared with IDC, patients with PM-DC were more frequently females and less frequently presented a familial history of DC. No other baseline significant differences were found. During the long-term follow-up (median 154, first to third interquartile range 78 to 220 months), patients with PM-DC showed a trend toward slower disease progression. Globally, 18 patients with PM-DC (25%) versus 49 with IDC (48%) experienced death/heart transplantation (p = 0.045). The prognostic advantage for patients with PM-DC became significant beyond 40 months of follow-up. At multivariable time-dependent Cox analysis, PM-DC was confirmed to have a global independent protective role (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.97, p = 0.04). In conclusion, PM-DC is characterized by better long-term prognosis compared with IDC. An exhaustive etiologic characterization appears relevant in the prognostic assessment of DC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Chicken Embryos as a Potential New Model for Early Onset Type I Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Shi, Liheng; Ko, Michael L.; Huang, Cathy Chia-Yu; Park, So-Young; Hong, Min-Pyo; Ko, Gladys Y.-P.

    2014-01-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among the American working population. The purpose of this study is to establish a new diabetic animal model using a cone-dominant avian species to address the distorted color vision and altered cone pathway responses in prediabetic and early diabetic patients. Chicken embryos were injected with either streptozotocin (STZ), high concentration of glucose (high-glucose), or vehicle at embryonic day 11. Cataracts occurred in varying degrees in both STZ- and high glucose-induced diabetic chick embryos at E18. Streptozotocin-diabetic chicken embryos had decreased levels of blood insulin, glucose transporter 4 (Glut4), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAKT). In STZ-injected E20 embryos, the ERG amplitudes of both a- and b-waves were significantly decreased, the implicit time of the a-wave was delayed, while that of the b-wave was significantly increased. Photoreceptors cultured from STZ-injected E18 embryos had a significant decrease in L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (L-VGCC) currents, which was reflected in the decreased level of L-VGCCα1D subunit in the STZ-diabetic retinas. Through these independent lines of evidence, STZ-injection was able to induce pathological conditions in the chicken embryonic retina, and it is promising to use chickens as a potential new animal model for type I diabetes. PMID:25133191

  1. [Influence of preventive use of vasopressin tannate on diabetes insipidus and serum sodium at the early postoperation of craniopharyngioma].

    PubMed

    Xiong, Tao; Wanggou, Siyi; Li, Xuejun; Liu, Qing; Jiang, Xingjun; Peng, Zefeng; Yuan, Xianrui

    2016-10-28

    To explore the influence of preventive use of vasopressin tannate on diabetes insipidus and serum sodium at the early postoperation of craniopharyngioma.
 Methods: The data of 83 patients, who underwent unilateral sub-frontal approach resection of craniopharyngioma between 2010 and 2014 by the same senior neurosurgeon, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a vasopressin tannate group (used group) and a control group. The diabetes insipidus and serum sodium changes were compared between the two groups.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the incidence of diabetes insipidus decreased at the early postoperation in the vasopressin tannate group (P<0.05). There was high incidence of diabetes insipidus in patients with pituitary stalk excision and tumor close adhesion to the third ventricle floor at the early postoperation (P<0.05). Under such conditions, the incidence of diabetes insipidus in the vasopressin tannate group was decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Postoperative hypernatremia occurred in 37 patients (44.6%), and hyponatremia occurred in 60 patients (72.3%), the average time of the occurrence of hpernatremia and hyponatremia was 1.4 and 3.7 days after surgery. Postoperative high serum sodium and low serum sodium appeared alternately in 19 patients (22.9%). There was significant difference in the serum sodium distribution in the first day after surgery in both groups (P<0.05), and the percent of hpernatremia in the vasopressin tannate group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Preventive use of vasopressin tannate can effectively reduce diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia incidence at the early postoperative stage after microsurgery for craniopharyngioma.

  2. Sensorineural hearing loss--a common finding in early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Lerman-Garber, Israel; Cuevas-Ramos, Daniel; Valdés, Samantha; Enríquez, Lorena; Lobato, Marlette; Osornio, Melannie; Escobedo, Ana Rosa; Pascual-Ramos, Virginia; Mehta, Roopa; Ramírez-Anguiano, Jacqueline; Gómez-Pérez, Francisco J

    2012-01-01

    To evaluate the prevalence and potential associations of hearing impairment in patients 30 to 50 years old with diabetes diagnosed before age 40 years-early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study cohorts consisted of 46 consecutive patients with early-onset T2DM and 47 age-matched control subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. All study subjects completed clinical, serologic, and auditory assessments. The patients with T2DM had a mean age of 42 ± 6 years and a mean disease duration of 11 ± 6 years. Microalbuminuria was present in 26.1%, proliferative retinopathy in 26.1%, and symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in 23.9%. The prevalence of unilateral or bilateral hearing loss was significantly higher in the patients with T2DM than in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (21.7% versus 6.4%, respectively; P = .01). Most cases of hearing loss were mild and involved high or acute tones. After multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, there was a significant association between hearing loss and hemoglobin A1c (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.81; P = .035). In the patients with T2DM, the lengthening of the brainstem response was not significantly increased; however, the wave morphologic features were abnormal and the reproducibility was poor in both ears in 11 patients (24%). Patients with early-onset T2DM and poor glycemic control have an increased prevalence of subclinical hearing loss and impaired auditory brainstem responses. Hearing impairment may be an underrecognized complication of diabetes.

  3. Management of an asymptomatic patient with the apical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Trojan, Meghan K Borden; Biederman, Robert W

    2017-07-01

    Healthcare professionals are faced with challenging decisions regarding patient evaluation and management on a daily basis. Once a diagnosis is made, additional challenges include how to proceed with the management. Here, we present an eighty-two-year-old female who was incidentally diagnosed with the apical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on a transthoracic echocardiogram. She was found to have newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation, but was otherwise asymptomatic from a cardiomyopathy standpoint. No specific guidelines exist for this patient population. Therefore, how does one proceed with the management of an asymptomatic patient with the apical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Lost opportunities to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes.

    PubMed

    Bernstein, Judith A; McCloskey, Lois; Gebel, Christina M; Iverson, Ronald E; Lee-Parritz, Aviva

    2016-01-01

    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes in the decade after delivery, but few women receive appropriately timed postpartum glucose testing (PPGT) or a referral to primary care (PC) for continued monitoring. This qualitative study was designed to identify barriers and facilitators to testing and referral from patient and providers' perspectives. We interviewed patients and clinicians in depth about knowledge, values, priorities, challenges, and recommendations for increasing PPGT rates and PC linkage. Interviews were coded with NVIVO data analysis software, and analyzed using an implementation science framework. Women reported motivation to address GDM for the health of the fetus. Most women did not anticipate future diabetes for themselves, and focused on delivery outcomes rather than future health risks. Patients sought and received reassurance from clinicians, and were unlikely to discuss early onset following GDM or preventive measures. PPGT barriers described by patients included provider not mentioning the test or setting it up, transportation difficulties, work responsibilities, fatigue, concerns about fasting while breastfeeding, and timing of the test after discharge from obstetrics, and no referral to PC for follow-up. Practitioners described limited communication among multiple care providers during pregnancy and delivery, systems issues, and separation of obstetrics from PC. Patients' barriers to PPGT included low motivation for self-care, structural obstacles, and competing priorities. Providers reported the need to balance risk with reassurance, and identified systems failures related to test timing, limitations of electronic medical record systems (EMR), lack of referrals to PC, and inadequate communication between specialties. Prevention of early onset has great potential for medical cost savings and improvements in quality of life.

  5. Lost opportunities to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Bernstein, Judith A; McCloskey, Lois; Gebel, Christina M; Iverson, Ronald E; Lee-Parritz, Aviva

    2016-01-01

    Objectives Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes in the decade after delivery, but few women receive appropriately timed postpartum glucose testing (PPGT) or a referral to primary care (PC) for continued monitoring. This qualitative study was designed to identify barriers and facilitators to testing and referral from patient and providers' perspectives. Methods We interviewed patients and clinicians in depth about knowledge, values, priorities, challenges, and recommendations for increasing PPGT rates and PC linkage. Interviews were coded with NVIVO data analysis software, and analyzed using an implementation science framework. Results Women reported motivation to address GDM for the health of the fetus. Most women did not anticipate future diabetes for themselves, and focused on delivery outcomes rather than future health risks. Patients sought and received reassurance from clinicians, and were unlikely to discuss early onset following GDM or preventive measures. PPGT barriers described by patients included provider not mentioning the test or setting it up, transportation difficulties, work responsibilities, fatigue, concerns about fasting while breastfeeding, and timing of the test after discharge from obstetrics, and no referral to PC for follow-up. Practitioners described limited communication among multiple care providers during pregnancy and delivery, systems issues, and separation of obstetrics from PC. Conclusions Patients' barriers to PPGT included low motivation for self-care, structural obstacles, and competing priorities. Providers reported the need to balance risk with reassurance, and identified systems failures related to test timing, limitations of electronic medical record systems (EMR), lack of referrals to PC, and inadequate communication between specialties. Prevention of early onset has great potential for medical cost savings and improvements in quality of life. PMID:27347422

  6. Serum Cystatin C as an Early Diagnostic Biomarker of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

    PubMed

    Qamar, Ayesha; Hayat, Asma; Ahmad, Tariq Mahmood; Khan, Alamgir; Hasnat, Mohammad Najam Ul; Tahir, Sufyan

    2018-04-01

    To determine the diagnostic accuracy and cut-off values of serum cystatin C as early diagnostic biomarker of diabetic kidney disease. Cross-sectional analytical study. Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Endocrinology Department, Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi from November 2015 to November 2016. One hundred and nineteen diagnosed patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study from the outpatient Endocrinology Department of the MH Rawalpindi. Fifty disease-free controls were also included. Fasting blood samples of the patients and controls were analysed for creatinine by Jaffé's kinetic method and estimated GFR was calculated using MDRD-based equation for GFR. Serum cystatin C was estimated by quantitative turbidimetric method. Serum cystatin C was higher in the diabetic group (mean = 1.022 ±0.33 mg/dl) as compared to the control group (mean = 0.63 ±0.14 mg/dl). ROC curve analysis, keeping less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 GFR (CKD-MDRD based) as reference value of the stat variable/gold standard; revealed an area under the curve of 0.914 (95% CI 0.85-0.98) and at optimal sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 84.8% the established cut-off of serum cystatin C was 1.26 mg/L. Cystatin C is an accurate biomarker of diabetic kidney disease with good sensitivity and specificity.

  7. Prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers in various age groups.

    PubMed

    Wess, G; Schulze, A; Butz, V; Simak, J; Killich, M; Keller, L J M; Maeurer, J; Hartmann, K

    2010-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinschers is an autosomal dominant inherited disease. The prevalence of DCM in Doberman Pinschers of various age groups in Europe is currently unknown, but this information would be important to develop recommendations for screening programs. To evaluate the prevalence of cardiomyopathy in various age groups of Dobermans. Seven hundred and seventy-five examinations in 412 Doberman Pinschers. Dogs were included in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Each examination included echocardiography and 24-hour ECG (Holter) examination. A cut-off value of >100 ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) per 24 hours on Holter examination or abnormal echocardiography was considered diagnostic for cardiomyopathy. The cumulative prevalence included all dogs with DCM and healthy dogs >7 years of age. DCM prevalence in various age groups was as follows: age group 1 (1 to <2 years) 3.3%, age group 2 (2 to <4 years) 9.9%, age group 3 (4 to <6 years) 12.5%, age group 4 (6 to <8 years) 43.6%, and age group 5 (>8 years) 44.1%. The cumulative prevalence of Doberman Pinscher cardiomyopathy was 58.2%. There was an equal sex distribution, but male dogs showed earlier echocardiographic changes than did female dogs, which had significantly more VPCs. The prevalence of Doberman cardiomyopathy is very high in Europe. Disease manifestation and progression are different between male and female dogs. Yearly screening for DCM by Holter examination and echocardiography is recommended, starting at 2 years of age.

  8. Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography: a new modality for early detection of angle neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Azad, Rajvardhan; Arora, Tarun; Sihota, Ramanjit; Chandra, Parijat; Mahajan, Deepankur; Sain, Siddarth; Sharma, Yograj

    2013-10-01

    To evaluate the role of Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography in detecting neovascularization of the angle and correlate the same with gonioscopy in diabetic retinopathy. One hundred and fifty eyes of 150 patients (25 each of mild, moderate, severe, very severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR); and PDR with high-risk characteristics) were recruited. They underwent complete ocular examination including applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography, and fundus fluorescein angiography. Using Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography, of 150 eyes neovascularization of the angle was detected in 37 eyes (24.66%) compared with 22 eyes (14.66%) on gonioscopy (P = 0.04). Small newly formed vessels were evident only with Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography. In 10 of 50 patients (20%) with severe/very severe NPDR, angle neovascularization was appreciable on Retcam fluorescein angiography compared with 5 patients (10%) on gonioscopy. Similarly, 25 of 50 patients (50%) with PDR/PDR with high-risk characteristics had neovascularization of the angle on Retcam gonioangiography compared with 17 (34%) on gonioscopy. Retcam fluorescein gonioangiography is a novel technique for early detection of angle neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy and hence preventing progression to neovascular glaucoma. The objective nature of this test helps in precise decision making compared with gonioscopy for early intervention especially in cases of pre-PDR.

  9. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated with acute pericarditis and cardiogenic shock.

    PubMed Central

    Guevara, Rodolfo; Aguinaga-Meza, Melina; Hazin, Moustafa Imran; Hazin, Ribhi; McCord, James

    2007-01-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a relatively uncommon stress-induced cardiomyopathy that accounts for 2.2% of all acute myocardial infarctions. It occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women between the ages of 55-70. The most common complications that have been described are cardiogenic shock and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, stroke and apical thrombus formation. There have been multiple prior case reports of TC; however, our case is the first to report acute pericarditis as one of its complications. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 PMID:17393953

  10. The innate immune system in chronic cardiomyopathy: a European Society of Cardiology (ESC) scientific statement from the Working Group on Myocardial Function of the ESC

    PubMed Central

    Falcao‐Pires, Ines; Balligand, Jean‐Luc; Bauersachs, Johann; Brutsaert, Dirk; Ciccarelli, Michele; Dawson, Dana; de Windt, Leon J.; Giacca, Mauro; Hamdani, Nazha; Hilfiker‐Kleiner, Denise; Hirsch, Emilio; Leite‐Moreira, Adelino; Mayr, Manuel; Thum, Thomas; Tocchetti, Carlo G.; van der Velden, Jolanda; Varricchi, Gilda; Heymans, Stephane

    2018-01-01

    Activation of the immune system in heart failure (HF) has been recognized for over 20 years. Initially, experimental studies demonstrated a maladaptive role of the immune system. However, several phase III trials failed to show beneficial effects in HF with therapies directed against an immune activation. Preclinical studies today describe positive and negative effects of immune activation in HF. These different effects depend on timing and aetiology of HF. Therefore, herein we give a detailed review on immune mechanisms and their importance for the development of HF with a special focus on commonalities and differences between different forms of cardiomyopathies. The role of the immune system in ischaemic, hypertensive, diabetic, toxic, viral, genetic, peripartum, and autoimmune cardiomyopathy is discussed in depth. Overall, initial damage to the heart leads to disease specific activation of the immune system whereas in the chronic phase of HF overlapping mechanisms occur in different aetiologies. PMID:29333691

  11. Baseline HbA1c to Identify High-Risk Gestational Diabetes: Utility in Early vs Standard Gestational Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Sweeting, Arianne N; Ross, Glynis P; Hyett, Jon; Molyneaux, Lynda; Tan, Kris; Constantino, Maria; Harding, Anna Jane; Wong, Jencia

    2017-01-01

    The increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) necessitates risk stratification directing limited antenatal resources to those at greatest risk. Recent evidence demonstrates that an early pregnancy glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ≥5.9% (41 mmol/mol) predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes. To determine the optimal HbA1c threshold for adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM in a treated multiethnic cohort and whether this differs in women diagnosed <24 vs ≥24 weeks' gestation (early vs standard GDM). This was a retrospective cohort study undertaken at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Diabetes Antenatal Clinic, Australia, between 1991 and 2011. Pregnant women (N = 3098) underwent an HbA1c (single-laboratory) measurement at the time of GDM diagnosis. Maternal clinical and pregnancy outcome data were collected prospectively. The association between baseline HbA1c and adverse pregnancy outcomes in early vs standard GDM. HbA1c was measured at a median of 17.6 ± 3.3 weeks' gestation in early GDM (n = 844) and 29.4 ± 2.6 weeks' gestation in standard GDM (n = 2254). In standard GDM, HbA1c >5.9% (41 mmol/mol) was associated with the greatest risk of large-for-gestational-age (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.7 [1.5-4.9]), macrosomia (3.5 [1.4-8.6]), cesarean section (3.6 [2.1-6.2]), and hypertensive disorders (2.6 [1.1-5.8]). In early GDM, similar HbA1c associations were seen; however, lower HbA1c correlated with the greatest risk of small-for-gestational-age (P trend = 0.004) and prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia. Baseline HbA1c >5.9% (41 mmol/mol) identifies an increased risk of large-for-gestational-age, macrosomia, cesarean section, and hypertensive disorders in standard GDM. Although similar associations are seen in early GDM, higher HbA1c levels do not adequately capture risk-limiting utility as a triage tool in this cohort. Copyright © 2017 by the Endocrine Society

  12. Left ventricular assist device therapy in patients with restrictive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Topilsky, Yan; Pereira, Naveen L; Shah, Dipesh K; Boilson, Barry; Schirger, John A; Kushwaha, Sudhir S; Joyce, Lyle D; Park, Soon J

    2011-05-01

    Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is being increasingly used in patients with end-stage dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. There have been no clinical trials addressing the use of LVAD therapy in patients with end-stage heart failure caused by restrictive (RCM) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The purpose of this study was therefore to analyze the outcome of LVAD therapy in these patients. Eighty-three patients received continuous axial flow LVAD (Heart mate II, Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) from February 2007 to May 2010 at our institution. We analyzed the baseline characteristics and surgical and long-term impact of LVAD therapy in 8 patients with RCM or HCM and compared their outcomes with the 75 patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Compared with patients with ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy, patients with RCM and HCM have significantly smaller left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions (52.5±6 mm versus 68.6±8 mm; P<0.0001) and increased thickness of septal (16 [12, 19] mm versus 10[8.5, 11] mm, P=0.0003) and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (21 [20, 36]% versus 17 [15, 22]%; P=0.0009). We found no difference in early mortality (12.5% versus 9.3%, P=0.57) or length of hospital stay (11 [8, 45] days versus 18.5 [12.2, 27.7] days; P=0.51) between the 2 groups. The right atrial pressure was higher (18 [15, 20] mm Hg versus 12 [9, 15] mm Hg, P=0.03), and pump flow was lower (4.3 [3.8, 4.5] L versus 5.2 [4.7, 5.5] L, P=0.001) after LVAD implantation in patients with RCM and HCM. Central venous catheter related infections were more common in patients with RCM and HCM (87.5% versus 44.5%, P=0.006). There was no difference in the total number of blood units transfused. Median (min, max) follow-up duration after LVAD implantation was 166 [1, 1044] days. The 1-year actuarial survival rate was not different between the 2 groups (87.5% [95% confidence interval, 52.9% to 97.8%] versus 73.2 [95% confidence interval, 60% to 85%]; P=0.77). Our

  13. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Myocardial Infarction, Viability, and Cardiomyopathies

    PubMed Central

    West, Amy M.; Kramer, Christopher M.

    2010-01-01

    Cardiovascular magnetic resonance provides the opportunity for a truly comprehensive evaluation of patients with a history of MI, with regards to characterizing the extent of disease, impact on LV function and degree of viable myocardium. The use of contrast-enhanced CMR for first-pass perfusion and late gadolinium enhancement is a powerful technique for delineating areas of myocardial ischemia and infarction. Using a combination of T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced CMR images, information about the acuity of an infarct can be obtained. There is an extensive amount of literature using contrast-enhanced CMR to predict myocardial functional recovery with revascularization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathies. In addition, CMR imaging in patients with cardiomyopathies can distinguish between ischemic and non-ischemic etiologies, with the ability to further characterize the underlying pathology for non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. PMID:20197150

  14. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Associated with Mid-cavity Obstruction and High Left Intraventricular Pressure

    PubMed Central

    A. Bejiqi, Ramush; J. Retkoceri, Ragip; Sh. Bejiqi, Hana

    2011-01-01

    We report a case of a child, with a rare form of the idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, associated with mid-cavity obstruction and high intraventricular peak pressure. Cardiomyopathy, diagnosed antenataly, was followed postnataly and, despite of a lot echocardiographic findings - the growing, development and clinical signs are minimal. PMID:23407799

  15. Correlates and prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with early- and late-onset type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Li, Y; Zhang, M; Liu, X; Cui, W; Rampersad, S; Li, F; Lin, Z; Yang, P; Li, H; Sheng, C; Cheng, X; Qu, S

    2017-07-01

    This study aims to compare the prevalence of hypogonadism between male patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and late-onset type 2 diabetes. A total of 122 male patients with early-onset T2DM (diagnosis age ≤40 years) and 100 male patients with late-onset T2DM (diagnosis age >40 years) were recruited from our in-patient department between 1 January 2013 and 28 December 2015. Serum FSH, LH, testosterone, lipid profile, uric acid, HbA1c, and beta-cell function were determined in blood samples. The diagnosis of hypogonadism was based on the levels of LH, FSH, and total testosterone. The mean onset age was 29.86 ± 6.31 and 54.47 ± 9.97 years old in the early-onset group and late-onset group, respectively. Compared with late-onset T2DM, those with early-onset T2DM had a higher proportion of new-onset diabetes, were more likely to be obese, and had worse glycemic control, lipid control, and lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The prevalence of hypogonadism was much higher in the early-onset group than in the late-onset group (48.0% vs. 26.7%, p < 0.05). The rate of secondary hypogonadism in the early-onset group and late-onset group were 44.3% and 25.0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Obesity, waist circumference, and SHBG were significantly associated with serum total testosterone level in all, early-onset, and late-onset T2DM. Both all and early-onset T2DM groups had positive correlations between total testosterone and fasting C-peptide, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid. Our results indicate that in a population of admission to a large urban hospital in China, the prevalence of hypogonadism was higher in the patients with early-onset T2DM than that of late-onset T2DM. This prevalence might be attributable to greater obesity, worse lipid control, and lower SHBG levels in those patients. © 2017 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

  16. Patterns and Predictors of Paternal Involvement in Early Adolescents’ Type 1 Diabetes Management Over 3 Years

    PubMed Central

    Rohan, Jennifer M.; Rausch, Joseph R.; Delamater, Alan; Pendley, Jennifer Shroff; Drotar, Dennis

    2014-01-01

    Objective To document trajectories of paternal involvement in diabetes management and examine bidirectional associations with diabetes outcomes across early adolescence. Methods 3-year prospective assessment of paternal involvement, diabetes self-management, and glycemic control among 136 youth (age 9–12 at baseline) and their mothers and fathers. Results Unconditional growth curves demonstrated decreasing amount (maternal report: F(1,128) = 14.79; paternal report: F(1,111) = 12.95, ps < 0.01) and level of contribution (maternal report: F(1,131) = 23.6, p < .01) of paternal involvement. Controlling for covariates, lower youth self-management predicted an increasing slope in fathers’ self-reported amount of involvement (b = −0.15 to −0.22, p < .05), and higher levels of fathers’ self-reported level of contribution predicted a decreasing slope in youths’ self-reported self-management (b = −0.01, p < .05). Conclusions Like mothers, fathers’ involvement declines modestly during early adolescence. Different aspects of paternal involvement influence or are influenced by youths’ self-management. Communication about ways to enhance fathers’ involvement before this transition may help prevent or reduce declining diabetes management and control common in adolescence. PMID:24013966

  17. Clinical Outcomes for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in North America

    PubMed Central

    McNamara, Dennis M.; Elkayam, Uri; Alharethi, Rami; Damp, Julie; Hsich, Eileen; Ewald, Gregory; Modi, Kalgi; Alexis, Jeffrey D.; Ramani, Gautam V.; Semigran, Marc J.; Haythe, Jennifer; Markham, David W.; Marek, Josef; Gorcsan, John; Wu, Wen-Chi; Lin, Yan; Halder, Indrani; Pisarcik, Jessica; Cooper, Leslie T.; Fett, James D.

    2017-01-01

    BACKGROUND Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES This study sought to prospectively evaluate recovery of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and clinical outcomes in the multicenter IPAC (Investigations of Pregnancy Associated Cardiomyopathy) study. METHODS We enrolled and followed 100 women with PPCM through 1 year post-partum. The LVEF was assessed by echocardiography at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 months post-partum. Survival free from major cardiovascular events (death, transplantation, or left ventricular [LV] assist device) was determined. Predictors of outcome, particularly race, parameters of LV dysfunction (LVEF), and remodeling (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter [LVEDD]) at presentation, were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS The cohort was 30% black, 65% white, 5% other; the mean patient age was 30 ± 6 years; and 88% were receiving beta-blockers and 81% angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. The LVEF at study entry was 0.35 ± 0.10, 0.51 ± 0.11 at 6 months, and 0.53 ± 0.10 at 12 months. By 1 year, 13% had experienced major events or had persistent severe cardiomyopathy with an LVEF <0.35, and 72% achieved an LVEF ≥0.50. An initial LVEF <0.30 (p = 0.001), an LVEDD ≥6.0 cm (p < 0.001), black race (p = 0.001), and presentation after 6 weeks postpartum (p = 0.02) were associated with a lower LVEF at 12 months. No subjects with both a baseline LVEF <0.30 and an LVEDD ≥6.0 cm recovered by 1 year post-partum, whereas 91% with both a baseline LVEF ≥0.30 and an LVEDD <6.0 cm recovered (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS In a prospective cohort with PPCM, most women recovered; however, 13% had major events or persistent severe cardiomyopathy. Black women had more LV dysfunction at presentation and at 6 and 12 months post-partum. Severe LV dysfunction and greater remodeling at study entry were associated with less recovery

  18. Mitral stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: An unusual combination.

    PubMed

    Hong, Joonhwa; Schaff, Hartzell V; Ommen, Steve R; Abel, Martin D; Dearani, Joseph A; Nishimura, Rick A

    2016-04-01

    Systolic anterior motion of mitral valve (MV) leaflets is a main pathophysiologic feature of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Thus, restricted leaflet motion that occurs with MV stenosis might be expected to minimize outflow tract obstruction related to systolic anterior motion. From January 1993 through February 2015, we performed MV replacement and septal myectomy in 12 patients with mitral stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Preoperative data, echocardiographic images, operative records, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. Mean (standard deviation) age was 70 (7.6) years. Preoperative mean (standard deviation) maximal LVOT pressure gradient was 75.0 (35.0) mm Hg; MV gradient was 13.7 (2.8) mm Hg. From echocardiographic images, 4 mechanisms of outflow tract obstruction were identified: systolic anterior motion without severe limitation in MV leaflet excursion, severe limitation in MV leaflet mobility with systolic anterior motion at the tip of the MV anterior leaflet, septal encroachment toward the LVOT, and MV displacement toward the LVOT by calcification. Mitral valve replacement and extended septal myectomy relieved outflow gradients in all patients, with no death or serious morbidity. Patients with mitral stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy have multiple LVOT obstruction mechanisms, and MV replacement may not be adequate treatment. We favor septal myectomy and MV replacement in this complex subset of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study.

    PubMed

    Colton, Patricia; Olmsted, Marion; Daneman, Denis; Rydall, Anne; Rodin, Gary

    2004-07-01

    To compare the prevalence of eating disturbances in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes to their nondiabetic peers. A cross-sectional, case-controlled study of 101 girls with type 1 diabetes, ages 9-14 years, and 303 age-matched, female nondiabetic control subjects was conducted. Participants completed a Children's Eating Disorder Examination interview. Socioeconomic status, BMI, and diabetes-related variables were assessed. Groups were compared using chi(2) analyses. Binge eating; the use of intense, excessive exercise for weight control; the combination of two disturbed eating-related behaviors; and subthreshold eating disorders were all more common in girls with type 1 diabetes. Metabolic control was not related to eating behavior in this study population. Eating disturbances, though mostly mild, were significantly more common in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes. Screening and prevention programs for this high-risk group should begin in the preteen years.

  20. Molecular imaging reveals elevated VEGFR-2 expression in retinal capillaries in diabetes: a novel biomarker for early diagnosis.

    PubMed

    Sun, Dawei; Nakao, Shintaro; Xie, Fang; Zandi, Souska; Bagheri, Abouzar; Kanavi, Mozhgan Rezaei; Samiei, Shahram; Soheili, Zahra-Soheila; Frimmel, Sonja; Zhang, Zhongyu; Ablonczy, Zsolt; Ahmadieh, Hamid; Hafezi-Moghadam, Ali

    2014-09-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss. Biomarkers and methods for early diagnosis of DR are urgently needed. Using a new molecular imaging approach, we show up to 94% higher accumulation of custom designed imaging probes against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in retinal and choroidal vessels of diabetic animals (P<0.01), compared to normal controls. More than 80% of the VEGFR-2 in the diabetic retina was in the capillaries, compared to 47% in normal controls (P<0.01). Angiography in rabbit retinas revealed microvascular capillaries to be the location for VEGF-A-induced leakage, as expressed by significantly higher rate of fluorophore spreading with VEGF-A injection when compared to vehicle control (26±2 vs. 3±1 μm/s, P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed VEGFR-2 expression in capillaries of diabetic animals but not in normal controls. Macular vessels from diabetic patients (n=7) showed significantly more VEGFR-2 compared to nondiabetic controls (n=5) or peripheral retinal regions of the same retinas (P<0.01 in both cases). Here we introduce a new approach for early diagnosis of DR and VEGFR-2 as a molecular marker. VEGFR-2 could become a key diagnostic target, one that might help to prevent retinal vascular leakage and proliferation in diabetic patients. © FASEB.

  1. Lipoxins Regulate the Early Growth Response-1 Network and Reverse Diabetic Kidney Disease.

    PubMed

    Brennan, Eoin P; Mohan, Muthukumar; McClelland, Aaron; Tikellis, Christos; Ziemann, Mark; Kaspi, Antony; Gray, Stephen P; Pickering, Raelene; Tan, Sih Min; Ali-Shah, Syed Tasadaque; Guiry, Patrick J; El-Osta, Assam; Jandeleit-Dahm, Karin; Cooper, Mark E; Godson, Catherine; Kantharidis, Phillip

    2018-05-01

    Background The failure of spontaneous resolution underlies chronic inflammatory conditions, including microvascular complications of diabetes such as diabetic kidney disease. The identification of endogenously generated molecules that promote the physiologic resolution of inflammation suggests that these bioactions may have therapeutic potential in the context of chronic inflammation. Lipoxins (LXs) are lipid mediators that promote the resolution of inflammation. Methods We investigated the potential of LXA 4 and a synthetic LX analog (Benzo-LXA 4 ) as therapeutics in a murine model of diabetic kidney disease, ApoE -/- mice treated with streptozotocin. Results Intraperitoneal injection of LXs attenuated the development of diabetes-induced albuminuria, mesangial expansion, and collagen deposition. Notably, LXs administered 10 weeks after disease onset also attenuated established kidney disease, with evidence of preserved kidney function. Kidney transcriptome profiling defined a diabetic signature (725 genes; false discovery rate P ≤0.05). Comparison of this murine gene signature with that of human diabetic kidney disease identified shared renal proinflammatory/profibrotic signals (TNF- α , IL-1 β , NF- κ B). In diabetic mice, we identified 20 and 51 transcripts regulated by LXA 4 and Benzo-LXA 4 , respectively, and pathway analysis identified established (TGF- β 1, PDGF, TNF- α , NF- κ B) and novel (early growth response-1 [EGR-1]) networks activated in diabetes and regulated by LXs. In cultured human renal epithelial cells, treatment with LXs attenuated TNF- α -driven Egr-1 activation, and Egr-1 depletion prevented cellular responses to TGF- β 1 and TNF- α Conclusions These data demonstrate that LXs can reverse established diabetic complications and support a therapeutic paradigm to promote the resolution of inflammation. Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  2. CAN ULTRASOUND ABDOMEN HELP IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES MELLITUS? AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

    PubMed

    Anwar, Javed; Aamir, Muhammad Omer; Sanaullah; Imdad, Zeeshan ul Hasnain; Parveen, Ishrat; Yousaf, Nasreen

    2015-01-01

    Diabetes mellitus is a common disease. Similarly, ultrasound findings of fatty change and renal crystals are commonly seen on ultrasound. In the personal observation of the main author over the past so many years it was noticed that Diabetes Mellitus, Fatty liver and renal crystals all sit well together. This study tries to establish a relationship between diabetes mellitus renal echogenic foci and fatty liver. This study is first of its kind, as nobody has ever before investigated an association between the renal echogenic foci and fatty liver in relation to diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at Radiology Department Combined Military Hospital, Kohat From 2nd June 2013 to 30th May 2014. Three hundred patients were collected on the basis of having fatty liver and renal echogenic foci on ultrasound and three hundred more patients were collected who had no fatty liver or renal echogenic foci on ultrasound. Their labs were done for diabetes mellitus. The patients having renal echogenic foci together with fatty liver had 83% positive rate of being diabetics, while patients with no fatty liver and no echogenic foci on ultrasonography had only 0.6% Positive rate of being diabetics. Our results provided the first demonstration of an association between renal echogenic foci together with fatty liver with the diabetes mellitus. Thus ultrasound examination of abdomen can be helpful in its early diagnosis if we make a protocol of doing fasting and random blood sugars in all those patients who have positive renal echogenic foci and fatty liver on their ultrasound examination.

  3. Computer-based detection of diabetes retinopathy stages using digital fundus images.

    PubMed

    Acharya, U R; Lim, C M; Ng, E Y K; Chee, C; Tamura, T

    2009-07-01

    Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome characterized by hyperglycaemia and the long-term complications are retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiomyopathy. It is a leading cause of blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the progressive pathological alterations in the retinal microvasculature, leading to areas of retinal nonperfusion, increased vascular permeability, and the pathological proliferation of retinal vessels. Hence, it is beneficial to have regular cost-effective eye screening for diabetes subjects. Nowadays, different stages of diabetes retinopathy are detected by retinal examination using indirect biomicroscopy by senior ophthalmologists. In this work, morphological image processing and support vector machine (SVM) techniques were used for the automatic diagnosis of eye health. In this study, 331 fundus images were analysed. Five groups were identified: normal retina, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Four salient features blood vessels, microaneurysms, exudates, and haemorrhages were extracted from the raw images using image-processing techniques and fed to the SVM for classification. A sensitivity of more than 82 per cent and specificity of 86 per cent was demonstrated for the system developed.

  4. A 35-year-old pregnant woman presenting with sudden cardiac arrest secondary to peripartum cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Nelson, Matthew; Moorhead, Amy; Yost, Dana; Whorton, Adrian

    2012-01-01

    We present a case of successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest after 25 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) secondary to peripartum cardiomyopathy. This case highlights a rare disease, but also, more importantly, the successful use of the five links of survival: early access to 9-1-1, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early defibrillation, early advanced life support, and postresuscitative care. We also demonstrate the importance of high-quality resuscitation practices in order to achieve a successful outcome. Manual compressions can be performed at a guidelines-compliant rate. With training, users are able to achieve high compression fractions. Pre/post shock delays can be minimized to further increase compression fraction. Nationally, CPR interruptions are often long. We recommend closer attention to uninterrupted 2-minute cycles of CPR, minimizing delays in CPR through training, and a focus on a closely choreographed approach. User review of transthoracic impedance feedback data should play a vital role in a cardiac arrest quality-improvement program.

  5. Gamma-tocopherol supplementation ameliorated hyper-inflammatory response during the early cutaneous wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Jihyun; Yang, Soo Jin

    2016-01-01

    Delayed wound healing is one of the major diabetic complications. During wound healing process, the early inflammatory stage is important for better prognosis. One of antioxidant nutrient, gamma-tocopherol (GT) is considered to regulate inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the effect of GT supplementation on mechanism associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis during early cutaneous wound healing in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by alloxan injection in ICR mice. All mice were divided into three groups: non-diabetic control mice (CON), diabetic control mice (DMC), and diabetic mice supplemented with GT (GT). After two weeks of GT supplementation, excisional wounds were made by biopsy punches (4 mm). Diabetic mice showed increases in fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, hyper-inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and delayed wound closure rate compared to non-diabetic mice. However, GT supplementation reduced FBG level and accelerated wound closure rate by regulation of inflammatory response-related proteins such as nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and c-reactive protein, and oxidative stress-related markers including nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone1, heme oxygenase-1, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and apoptosis-related markers such as sirtuin-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α, and p53 in diabetic mice. Taken together, GT would be a potential therapeutic to prevent diabetes-induced delayed wound healing by regulation of inflammatory response, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Impact statement Gamma tocopherol has shown ameliorative effect on diabetic wound healing by regulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis demonstrated by nuclear factor kappa B, nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2, and sirtuin-1. PMID:28211759

  6. Gamma-tocopherol supplementation ameliorated hyper-inflammatory response during the early cutaneous wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

    PubMed

    Shin, Jihyun; Yang, Soo Jin; Lim, Yunsook

    2017-03-01

    Delayed wound healing is one of the major diabetic complications. During wound healing process, the early inflammatory stage is important for better prognosis. One of antioxidant nutrient, gamma-tocopherol (GT) is considered to regulate inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the effect of GT supplementation on mechanism associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis during early cutaneous wound healing in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by alloxan injection in ICR mice. All mice were divided into three groups: non-diabetic control mice (CON), diabetic control mice (DMC), and diabetic mice supplemented with GT (GT). After two weeks of GT supplementation, excisional wounds were made by biopsy punches (4 mm). Diabetic mice showed increases in fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, hyper-inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and delayed wound closure rate compared to non-diabetic mice. However, GT supplementation reduced FBG level and accelerated wound closure rate by regulation of inflammatory response-related proteins such as nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and c-reactive protein, and oxidative stress-related markers including nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone1, heme oxygenase-1, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and apoptosis-related markers such as sirtuin-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1- α, and p53 in diabetic mice. Taken together, GT would be a potential therapeutic to prevent diabetes-induced delayed wound healing by regulation of inflammatory response, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Impact statement Gamma tocopherol has shown ameliorative effect on diabetic wound healing by regulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis demonstrated by nuclear factor kappa B, nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2, and sirtuin-1.

  7. The characteristics of stress cardiomyopathy in an ethnically heterogeneous population.

    PubMed

    Nascimento, Francisco O; Santana, Orlando; Perez-Caminero, Margarita; Benjo, Alexandre M

    2011-01-01

    Stress cardiomyopathy is a cardiac syndrome that is characterized by transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Its epidemiology has been described in homogeneous Asian, Caucasian and Black populations, but its characteristics in heterogeneous populations are poorly understood. Our aim was to assess the characteristics of stress cardiomyopathy in a heterogeneous population that included a large percentage of Hispanics. We reviewed 59 consecutive cases of stress cardiomyopathy that were confirmed by coronary angiography and were in agreement with the Mayo Clinic diagnostic criteria. The mean age of the patients was 74 years (range, 39-91 years), and 37 patients were female (62.7%). Twenty-nine patients (49.2%) were Latino/Hispanic, 26 (44%) were Caucasian, 3 (5%) were Asian, and 1 patient (1.7%) was Black. The most common chief symptom was dyspnea, followed by chest pain and an absence of symptoms in 54.2, 28.8, and 18.6% of the patients, respectively. The primary EKG abnormalities consisted of a T wave inversion, an ST segment elevation, and ST segment depression in 69.5%, 25.4%, and 15.3% of the patients, respectively. The stressor event was identified in 90% of the cases. In 32 cases (54%), the stressor event was physical stress or a medical illness, and in 21 cases (35.6%), the stressor event was emotional stress. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.5%. In our heterogeneous study population, stress cardiomyopathy presented with a 3:2 female-to-male ratio, and dyspnea was the most common chief complaint. Stress cardiomyopathy exhibited a T wave inversion as the primary EKG abnormality. These findings differ from previous cases that have been reported, and further studies are needed.

  8. Natural genetic variation of the cardiac transcriptome in non-diseased donors and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Heinig, Matthias; Adriaens, Michiel E; Schafer, Sebastian; van Deutekom, Hanneke W M; Lodder, Elisabeth M; Ware, James S; Schneider, Valentin; Felkin, Leanne E; Creemers, Esther E; Meder, Benjamin; Katus, Hugo A; Rühle, Frank; Stoll, Monika; Cambien, François; Villard, Eric; Charron, Philippe; Varro, Andras; Bishopric, Nanette H; George, Alfred L; Dos Remedios, Cristobal; Moreno-Moral, Aida; Pesce, Francesco; Bauerfeind, Anja; Rüschendorf, Franz; Rintisch, Carola; Petretto, Enrico; Barton, Paul J; Cook, Stuart A; Pinto, Yigal M; Bezzina, Connie R; Hubner, Norbert

    2017-09-14

    Genetic variation is an important determinant of RNA transcription and splicing, which in turn contributes to variation in human traits, including cardiovascular diseases. Here we report the first in-depth survey of heart transcriptome variation using RNA-sequencing in 97 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 108 non-diseased controls. We reveal extensive differences of gene expression and splicing between dilated cardiomyopathy patients and controls, affecting known as well as novel dilated cardiomyopathy genes. Moreover, we show a widespread effect of genetic variation on the regulation of transcription, isoform usage, and allele-specific expression. Systematic annotation of genome-wide association SNPs identifies 60 functional candidate genes for heart phenotypes, representing 20% of all published heart genome-wide association loci. Focusing on the dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype we found that eQTL variants are also enriched for dilated cardiomyopathy genome-wide association signals in two independent cohorts. RNA transcription, splicing, and allele-specific expression are each important determinants of the dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype and are controlled by genetic factors. Our results represent a powerful resource for the field of cardiovascular genetics.

  9. Statins reduce appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in ischemic cardiomyopathy with no benefit in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Contractor, Tahmeed; Beri, Abhimanyu; Gardiner, Joseph; Ardhanari, Sivakumar; Thakur, Ranjan

    2012-11-01

    Statins have been hypothesized to decrease ventricular arrhythmias through a direct antiarrhythmic effect. Clinical studies have demonstrated a clear reduction only in populations with underlying ischemic heart disease. This study was designed to compare the effect of statins on appropriate shocks between ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients with an ejection fraction 35% or less who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and had follow-up for at least 1 month were included. The ischemic and nonischemic groups were divided into statin treatment and control subgroups and the occurrence of appropriate shocks was compared. The frequency of shocks was analyzed using negative binomial models to account for overdispersion of the "count" data (number of appropriate shocks) and an adjusted intensity rate ratio was calculated for statin use. A total of 676 patients were included, of which statins were used by 65% (329 of 506) of the ischemic and 42% (72 of 170) of the nonischemic groups. Occurrence of appropriate shocks was significantly reduced with statins in ischemic (13.4% vs 20.9%; relative risk 0.64, P = 0.028), but not in the patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Similarly, although use of statins lowered the intensity rate of appropriate shocks in ischemic patients (intensity rate ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.47), no such benefit was noted in the nonischemic group (intensity rate ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-4.40). In conclusion, statins reduced the occurrence and frequency of appropriate shocks for ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic but not in nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Larger, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

  10. Synergy of bone marrow transplantation and curcumin ensue protective effects at early onset of diabetes in mice.

    PubMed

    Arivazhagan, Arivarasan; Krishna, Soni; Yadav, Shivangi; Shah, Harshit Rajesh; Kumar, Pravir; Ambasta, Rashmi Kumar

    2015-07-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the early onset effects of diabetes on pro-angiogenic signaling pathway, total number of bone marrow cells, organs (pancreas and kidney) damage and the reversal effect of diabetes by combinatorial treatment of curcumin and bone marrow transplantation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice. In the present study, Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice were transplanted with bone marrow cells (2 × 10(6) ) followed by the administration of curcumin (80 mg/kg bodyweight). Effect of diabetes on the different organs was studied by H&E, Western blotting and immunofluorescence using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), insulin, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 antibodies. The effect of diabetes results in the reduction of the total cell number and viability of the bone marrow cells, organ degeneration and lower VEGF/PECAM expression. However, transplantation with normal bone marrow cells significantly reduced the blood glucose levels (above normal range) and initiated the organ regeneration via the VEGF/PECAM mediated manner. Curcumin treatment further reduced the blood glucose level (near normal); and accelerated the organ regeneration, enhanced VEGF/PECAM expression and decreased caspase expression level in the organs. Curcumin also had a protective role against the glucotoxicity test performed on the bone marrow cells. This study suggests that bone marrow transplantation and curcumin administration is an effective treatment in reversing the early onset effects of diabetes via the VEGF/PECAM signaling pathway. © 2014 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

  11. Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic parameters in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Garncarz, M A

    2007-01-01

    Echocardiography is a valuable tool for the evaluation of systolic and diastolic cardiac function. A high correlation between measurements of diastolic mitral inflow parameters analyzed with Doppler echocardiography and invasive methods makes the former valuable. The aim of this study was to ascertain if significant differences occur in diastolic myocardial parameters between dogs with no heart disease and dogs with subclinical or clinical dilated cardiomyopathy. Furthermore the aim of the study was to determine whether heart failure in dilated cardiomypathy is a result of systolic dysfunction alone or both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Eleven parameters were analyzed: E wave, E-AT, E-DT, E time, A wave, A-AT, A-DT, A time, E+A time, E/A ratio, and IVRT. The study confirmed the value of noninvasive echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Significant differences were found in E wave, E-AT, E time, E/A ratio and IVRT between healthy dogs and dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. All are characterized by a significant decrease compared to healthy dogs after taking into account age and body weight except for the E/A ratio, which significantly increased in value. There were no significant changes in any of the Doppler parameters for diastolic evaluation in subclinical cases of DCM. Advanced heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy entails systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

  12. Clinical and functional characterization of TNNT2 mutations identified in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Hershberger, Ray E.; Pinto, Jose Renato; Parks, Sharie B.; Kushner, Jessica D.; Li, Duanxiang; Ludwigsen, Susan; Cowan, Jason; Morales, Ana; Parvatiyar, Michelle S.; Potter, James D.

    2009-01-01

    Background A key issue for cardiovascular genetic medicine is ascertaining if a putative mutation indeed causes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is critically important as genetic DCM, usually presenting with advanced, life-threatening disease, may be preventable with early intervention in relatives known to carry the mutation. Methods and Results We recently undertook bidirectional resequencing of TNNT2, the cardiac troponin T gene, in 313 probands with DCM. We identified six TNNT2 protein-altering variants in nine probands, all who had early onset, aggressive disease. Additional family members of mutation carriers were then studied when available. Four of the nine probands had DCM without a family history, and five had familial DCM. Only one mutation (Lys210del) could be attributed as definitively causative from prior reports. Four of the five missense mutations were novel (Arg134Gly, Arg151Cys, Arg159Gln, Arg205Trp), and one was previously reported with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Glu244Asp). Based on the clinical, pedigree and molecular genetic data these five mutations were considered possibly or likely disease causing. To further clarify their potential pathophysiologic impact, we undertook functional studies of these mutations in cardiac myocytes reconstituted with mutant troponin T proteins. We observed decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of force development, a hallmark of DCM, in support of the conclusion that these mutations are disease-causing. Conclusions We conclude that the combination of clinical, pedigree, molecular genetic and functional data strengthen the interpretation of TNNT2 mutations in DCM. PMID:20031601

  13. Down Syndrome with Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Pulmonary Vein Stenosis.

    PubMed

    Mahadevaiah, Guruprasad; Gupta, Manoj; Ashwath, Ravi

    2015-10-01

    The prevalence of congenital heart disease in infants with Down syndrome is 40%, compared with 0.3% in children who have normal chromosomes. Atrioventricular and ventricular septal defects are often associated with chromosomal aberrations, such as in trisomy 21, whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is chiefly thought to be secondary to specific gene mutations. We found only one reported case of congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrioventricular septal defect in an infant with Down syndrome. Here, we report atrioventricular septal defect, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary vein stenosis in a neonate with Down syndrome-an apparently unique combination. In addition, we discuss the relevant medical literature.

  14. A Case Report of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient during Myasthenia Crisis

    PubMed Central

    Battineni, Anusha; Mullaguri, Naresh; Thanki, Shail; Chockalingam, Anand

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Patients with myasthenia crisis can develop Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (SC) due to emotional or physical stress and high level of circulating catecholamines. We report a patient who developed recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during myasthenia crisis. Coexisting autoimmune disorders known to precipitate stress cardiomyopathy like Grave's disease need to be evaluated. Case Report A 69-year-old female with seropositive myasthenia gravis (MG), Grave's disease, and coronary artery disease on monthly infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), prednisone, pyridostigmine, and methimazole presented with shortness of breath and chest pain. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST elevation in anterolateral leads with troponemia. Coronary angiogram was unremarkable for occlusive coronary disease with left ventriculogram showing reduced wall motion with apical and mid left ventricle (LV) hypokinesis suggestive of Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy. Her symptoms were attributed to MG crisis. Her symptoms, ECG, and echocardiographic findings resolved after five cycles of plasma exchange (PLEX). She had another similar episode one year later during myasthenia crisis with subsequent resolution in 10 days after PLEX. Conclusion Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be one of the manifestations of myasthenia crisis with or without coexisting Grave's disease. These patients might benefit from meticulous fluid status and cardiac monitoring while administering rescue treatments like IVIG and PLEX. PMID:29201468

  15. [Association between body weight change during early and middle adulthood and the risk of type 2 diabetes in middle aged and elderly population].

    PubMed

    Hu, Q; Jiang, C Q; Zhang, W S; Cheng, J J; Xu, L; Jin, Y L; Shen, Z M; Zhu, F; Lam, D Q

    2017-12-10

    Objective: To examine the association between weight changes during early and middle adulthood and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle aged and elderly population. Methods: Based on the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS), 28 736 residents aged ≥50 years were included in Guangzhou. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between body weight changes during early or middle adulthood and age when the heaviest weight reaching the threshold on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle age or elderly population. Adjustments on age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, education level, occupation, district of residence and body mass index etc ., were made. Results: The mean age was 64.3 (standard deviation=6.7) years in men and 61.0 (standard deviation=7.0) years in women, with the prevalence rates of diabetes as 13.1% and 13.7% in men and women, respectively. Compared to those with stable body weight, the risk of diabetes increased with weight gain during early and middle adulthood in both men and women (both P values for trend<0.01). Participants who gained more than 20 kg during early and middle adulthood were associated with the highest risk of diabetes in men ( OR =2.83, 95% CI :1.99-4.02) and women ( OR =3.13, 95% CI : 2.47-3.96). Compared to those who reached the highest weight at age 20, those who reaching the highest weight at 40 to 49 years were associated with the highest risk of diabetes, with OR being 5.32 (95% CI : 1.92-14.8) in men and 3.41 (95% CI : 2.49-4.67) in women, respectively. Weight loss in adulthood was associated with self-reported but not newly diagnosed diabetic cases in both middle and older aged men and women. Conclusion: Weight gain during early and middle adulthood may increase the risk of diabetes in middle and older aged population. The detrimental effect of obesity on diabetes might become significantly visible in the next decades.

  16. Effect of Losartan on Prevention and Progression of Early Diabetic Nephropathy in American Indians With Type 2 Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Weil, E. Jennifer; Fufaa, Gudeta; Jones, Lois I.; Lovato, Tracy; Lemley, Kevin V.; Hanson, Robert L.; Knowler, William C.; Bennett, Peter H.; Yee, Berne; Myers, Bryan D.

    2013-01-01

    Angiotensin receptor blockers are renoprotective in hypertensive azotemic patients with type 2 diabetes, but their efficacy in early diabetic kidney disease is uncertain. We performed a 6-year randomized clinical trial in 169 American Indians with type 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio [ACR] <30 mg/g; n = 91) or microalbuminuria (ACR 30–299 mg/g; n = 78) at baseline. The primary outcome was decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to ≤60 mL/min or to half the baseline value in subjects who entered with GFR <120 mL/min. Another outcome was differences in glomerular structure at end of treatment. Subjects received 100 mg losartan or placebo daily. GFR was measured annually; 111 subjects underwent kidney biopsies. Only nine subjects reached the GFR outcome, and the unadjusted hazard ratio (losartan vs. placebo) was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.12–1.99). Differences in mesangial fractional volume were not estimated in the combined albuminuria groups because of an interaction with treatment assignment. In separate analyses, mesangial fractional volume was lower in subjects treated with losartan in the microalbuminuria group (18.8 vs. 25.6%; P = 0.02), but not in the normoalbuminuria group (19.6 vs. 17.8%; P = 0.86). Treatment with losartan may preserve some features of kidney structure in American Indians with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. PMID:23545707

  17. The Mutations Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Parvari, Ruti; Levitas, Aviva

    2012-01-01

    Cardiomyopathy is an important cause of heart failure and a major indication for heart transplantation in children and adults. This paper describes the state of the genetic knowledge of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The identification of the causing mutation is important since presymptomatic interventions of DCM have proven value in preventing morbidity and mortality. Additionally, as in general in genetic studies, the identification of the mutated genes has a direct clinical impact for the families and population involved. Identifying causative mutations immediately amplifies the possibilities for disease prevention through carrier screening and prenatal testing. This often lifts a burden of social isolation from affected families, since healthy family members can be assured of having healthy children. Identification of the mutated genes holds the potential to lead to the understanding of disease etiology, pathophysiology, and therefore potential therapy. This paper presents the genetic variations, or disease-causing mutations, contributing to the pathogenesis of hereditary DCM, and tries to relate these to the functions of the mutated genes. PMID:22830024

  18. The mutations associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Parvari, Ruti; Levitas, Aviva

    2012-01-01

    Cardiomyopathy is an important cause of heart failure and a major indication for heart transplantation in children and adults. This paper describes the state of the genetic knowledge of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The identification of the causing mutation is important since presymptomatic interventions of DCM have proven value in preventing morbidity and mortality. Additionally, as in general in genetic studies, the identification of the mutated genes has a direct clinical impact for the families and population involved. Identifying causative mutations immediately amplifies the possibilities for disease prevention through carrier screening and prenatal testing. This often lifts a burden of social isolation from affected families, since healthy family members can be assured of having healthy children. Identification of the mutated genes holds the potential to lead to the understanding of disease etiology, pathophysiology, and therefore potential therapy. This paper presents the genetic variations, or disease-causing mutations, contributing to the pathogenesis of hereditary DCM, and tries to relate these to the functions of the mutated genes.

  19. Translational systems pharmacology‐based predictive assessment of drug‐induced cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Messinis, Dimitris E.; Melas, Ioannis N.; Hur, Junguk; Varshney, Navya; Alexopoulos, Leonidas G.

    2018-01-01

    Drug‐induced cardiomyopathy contributes to drug attrition. We compared two pipelines of predictive modeling: (1) applying elastic net (EN) to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of drugs; (2) applying integer linear programming (ILP) to construct each drug's signaling pathway starting from its targets to downstream proteins, to transcription factors, and to its DEGs in human cardiomyocytes, and then subjecting the genes/proteins in the drugs' signaling networks to EN regression. We classified 31 drugs with availability of DEGs into 13 toxic and 18 nontoxic drugs based on a clinical cardiomyopathy incidence cutoff of 0.1%. The ILP‐augmented modeling increased prediction accuracy from 79% to 88% (sensitivity: 88%; specificity: 89%) under leave‐one‐out cross validation. The ILP‐constructed signaling networks of drugs were better predictors than DEGs. Per literature, the microRNAs that reportedly regulate expression of our six top predictors are of diagnostic value for natural heart failure or doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy. This translational predictive modeling might uncover potential biomarkers. PMID:29341478

  20. Loss of desmoplakin isoform I causes early onset cardiomyopathy and heart failure in a Naxos‐like syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Uzumcu, A; Norgett, E E; Dindar, A; Uyguner, O; Nisli, K; Kayserili, H; Sahin, S E; Dupont, E; Severs, N J; Leigh, I M; Yuksel‐Apak, M; Kelsell, D P; Wollnik, B

    2006-01-01

    Background Desmosomes are cellular junctions important for intercellular adhesion and anchoring the intermediate filament (IF) cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. Desmoplakin (DSP) is the most abundant desmosomal protein with 2 isoforms produced by alternative splicing. Methods We describe a patient with a recessively inherited arrhythmogenic dilated cardiomyopathy with left and right ventricular involvement, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, and woolly hair. The patient showed a severe heart phenotype with an early onset and rapid progression to heart failure at 4 years of age. Results A homozygous nonsense mutation, R1267X, was found in exon 23 of the desmoplakin gene, which results in an isoform specific truncation of the larger DSPI isoform. The loss of most of the DSPI specific rod domain and C‐terminal area was confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. We further showed that the truncated DSPI transcript is unstable, leading to a loss of DSPI. DSPI is reported to be an obligate constituent of desmosomes and the only isoform present in cardiac tissue. To address this, we reviewed the expression of DSP isoforms in the heart. Our data suggest that DSPI is the major cardiac isoform but we also show that specific compartments of the heart have detectable DSPII expression. Conclusions This is the first description of a phenotype caused by a mutation affecting only one DSP isoform. Our findings emphasise the importance of desmoplakin and desmosomes in epidermal and cardiac function and additionally highlight the possibility that the different isoforms of desmoplakin may have distinct functional properties within the desmosome. PMID:16467215

  1. Light-induced pH changes in the intact retinae of normal and early diabetic rats

    PubMed Central

    Dmitriev, Andrey V.; Henderson, Desmond; Linsenmeier, Robert A.

    2016-01-01

    Double-barreled H+-selective microelectrodes were used to measure local extracellular concentration of H+ ([H+]o) in the retina of dark-adapted anesthetized Long-Evans rats. The microelectrode advanced in steps of 30 μm throughout the retina from the vitreal surface to retinal pigment epithelium and then to the choroid, recording changes in [H+]o evoked by light stimulation. Recordings were performed in diabetic rats 1 to 3 months after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and the results were compared with data obtained in age-matched control animals. Brief light stimulation (2.5 s) evoked changes of [H+]o with amplitudes of a few nM. Throughout the retina, there was a transient initial acidification for ~200 ms followed by steady alkalinization, although amplitudes and kinetics of these components were slightly variable in different retinal layers. No significant difference was found when the light-induced [H+]o changes recorded in various retinal layers of early diabetic rats were compared with the [H+]o changes from corresponding layers of control animals. Also, when H+-selective microelectrodes were located in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer, an increase in H+ was recorded, whose time course and amplitude were similar in control and diabetic rats. However, a striking difference between light-induced [H+]o changes in controls and diabetics was observed in the choriocapillaris, in the thin layer (10 – 20 μm) distal to the basal membrane of the RPE. In control rats, choroidal [H+]o decreased in a few cases, but much more often practically did not change. In contrast, diabetic rats demonstrated either an increase (in half of the cases) or no change in choroidal [H+]o. The data suggest that the active participation of the choroidal blood supply in stabilization of [H+]o could be partially compromised already at early stages of diabetes in rats. Interestingly, it appeared that the acid removal by the choroidal circulation was compromised most

  2. Deep Convolutional Neural Network-Based Early Automated Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Fundus Image.

    PubMed

    Xu, Kele; Feng, Dawei; Mi, Haibo

    2017-11-23

    The automatic detection of diabetic retinopathy is of vital importance, as it is the main cause of irreversible vision loss in the working-age population in the developed world. The early detection of diabetic retinopathy occurrence can be very helpful for clinical treatment; although several different feature extraction approaches have been proposed, the classification task for retinal images is still tedious even for those trained clinicians. Recently, deep convolutional neural networks have manifested superior performance in image classification compared to previous handcrafted feature-based image classification methods. Thus, in this paper, we explored the use of deep convolutional neural network methodology for the automatic classification of diabetic retinopathy using color fundus image, and obtained an accuracy of 94.5% on our dataset, outperforming the results obtained by using classical approaches.

  3. Use of calcium channel blockers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Lorell, B H

    1985-02-22

    Recent studies in patients with either obstructive or nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have suggested that increased resistance to diastolic filling of the stiff left ventricle may be an important mechanism contributing to symptoms. These observations have led to exploration of the effects of calcium channel blockers on systolic and diastolic function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Acute hemodynamic studies using verapamil and nifedipine have shown that these agents tend to cause: (1) a slight fall in systemic arterial pressure and reflex increase in heart rate; (2) a reduction in left ventricular outflow gradient in most but not all patients; and (3) variable effect on left-side heart filling pressures. In contrast to beta-adrenergic blockers, these hemodynamic effects are not associated with depression of systolic function, but appear to be related to improved left ventricular distensibility. Clinical trials have suggested that long-term administration of verapamil in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy promotes improvement in symptomatic status and exercise tolerance in many but not all patients; similar results have been reported in preliminary studies using nifedipine. Potential major adverse effects include depression of sinoatrial activity and atrioventricular conduction with verapamil, and marked hypotension and, rarely, pulmonary edema with both verapamil and nifedipine.

  4. Association of caspase-1 polymorphisms with Chagas cardiomyopathy among individuals in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

    PubMed

    Fu, Katherine Yih-Jia; Zamudio, Roxana; Henderson-Frost, Jo; Almuedo, Alex; Steinberg, Hannah; Clipman, Steven Joseph; Duran, Gustavo; Marcus, Rachel; Crawford, Thomas; Alyesh, Daniel; Colanzi, Rony; Flores, Jorge; Gilman, Robert Hugh; Bern, Caryn

    2017-01-01

    Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) infection is usually acquired in childhood in endemic areas, leading to Chagas disease, which progresses to Chagas cardiomyopathy in 20-30% of infected individuals over decades. The pathogenesis of Chagas cardiomyopathy involves the host inflammatory response to T. cruzi, in which upstream caspase-1 activation prompts the cascade of inflammatory chemokines/cytokines, cardiac remodeling, and myocardial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of two caspase-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cardiomyopathy. We recruited infected (Tc+, n = 149) and uninfected (Tc-, n = 87) participants in a hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Cardiac status was classified (I, II, III, IV) based on Chagas cardiomyopathy-associated electrocardiogram findings and ejection fractions on echocardiogram. Genotypes were determined using Taqman probes via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of peripheral blood DNA. Genotype frequencies were analyzed according to three inheritance patterns (dominant, recessive, additive) using logistic regression adjusted for age and sex. The AA allele for the caspase-1 SNP rs501192 was more frequent in Tc+ cardiomyopathy (classes II, III, IV) patients compared to those with a normal cardiac status (class I) [odds ratio (OR) = -2.18, p = 0.117]. This trend approached statistical significant considering only Tc+ patients in class I and II (OR = -2.64, p = 0.064). Caspase-1 polymorphisms may play a role in Chagas cardiomyopathy development and could serve as markers to identify individuals at higher risk for priority treatment.

  5. Recent advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis and prognosis of acute heart failure and cardiomyopathy in Africa.

    PubMed

    Sliwa, Karen; Mayosi, Bongani M

    2013-09-01

    This review addresses recent advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis and prognosis of acute heart failure and cardiomyopathy based on research conducted in Africa. We searched Medline/PubMed for publications on acute decompensated heart failure and cardiomyopathy in Africa for the past 5 years (ie, 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012). This was supplemented with personal communications with colleagues from Africa working in the field. A large prospective registry has shown that acute decompensated heart failure is caused by hypertension, cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease in 90% of cases, a pattern that is in contrast with the dominance of coronary artery disease in North America and Europe. Furthermore, acute heart failure is a disease of the young with a mean age of 52 years, occurs equally in men and women, and is associated with high mortality at 6 months (∼18%), which is, however, similar to that observed in non-African heart failure registries, suggesting that heart failure has a dire prognosis globally, regardless of aetiology. The molecular genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in Africans is consistent with observations elsewhere in the world; the unique founder effects in the Afrikaner provide an opportunity for the study of genotype-phenotype correlations in large numbers of individuals with cardiomyopathy due to the same mutation. Advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy have led to promising clinical trials of bromocriptine in the treatment of peripartum heart failure. The key challenges of management of heart failure are the urgent need to increase the use of proven treatments by physicians, and the control of hypertension in primary care and at the population level.

  6. The influence of type 2 diabetes and gender on ventricular repolarization dispersion in patients with sub-clinic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Jani, Ylber; Kamberi, Ahmet; Xhunga, Sotir; Pocesta, Bekim; Ferati, Fatmir; Lala, Dali; Zeqiri, Agim; Rexhepi, Atila

    2015-01-01

    Objective: To assess the influence of type 2 DM and gender, on the QT dispersion, Tpeak-Tend dispersion of ventricular repolarization, in patients with sub-clinic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction of the heart. Background: QT dispersion, that reflects spatial inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization, Tpeak-Tend dispersion, this on the other hand reflects transmural inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization, that is increased in an early stage of cardiomyopathy, and in patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, as well. The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, a basic characteristic of diabetic heart disease (diabetic cardiomyopathy), that developes earlier than systolic dysfunction, suggests that diastolic markers might be sensitive for early cardiac injury. It is also demonstrated that gender has complex influence on indices of myocardial repolarization abnormalities such as QT interval and QT dispersion. Material and methods: We performed an observational study including 300 diabetic patients with similar epidemiological-demographic characteristics recruited in our institution from May 2009 to July 2014, divided into two groups. Demographic and laboratory echocardiographic data were obtained, twelve lead resting electrocardiography, QT, QTc, Tpeak-Tend-intervals and dispersion, were determined manually, and were compared between various groups. For statistical analysis a t-test, X2 test, and logistic regression are used according to the type of variables. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for a confidence interval of 95%. Results: QTc max. interval, QTc dispersion and Tpeak-Tend dispersion, were significantly higher in diabetic group with subclinical LV (left ventricular) diastolic dysfunction, than in diabetic group with normal left ventricular diastolic function (445.24±14.7 ms vs. 433.55±14.4 ms, P<0.000; 44.98±18.78 ms vs. 32.05±17.9 ms, P<0.000; 32.60±1.6 ms vs. 17.46±2.0 ms, P<0.02. Prolonged QTc max

  7. Arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy: A paradigm shift from right to biventricular disease

    PubMed Central

    Saguner, Ardan M; Brunckhorst, Corinna; Duru, Firat

    2014-01-01

    Arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVC) is generally referred to as arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy/dysplasia and constitutes an inherited cardiomyopathy. Affected patients may succumb to sudden cardiac death (SCD), ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA) and heart failure. Genetic studies have identified causative mutations in genes encoding proteins of the intercalated disk that lead to reduced myocardial electro-mechanical stability. The term arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy is somewhat misleading as biventricular involvement or isolated left ventricular (LV) involvement may be present and thus a broader term such as AVC should be preferred. The diagnosis is established on a point score basis according to the revised 2010 task force criteria utilizing imaging modalities, demonstrating fibrous replacement through biopsy, electrocardiographic abnormalities, ventricular arrhythmias and a positive family history including identification of genetic mutations. Although several risk factors for SCD such as previous cardiac arrest, syncope, documented VTA, severe RV/LV dysfunction and young age at manifestation have been identified, risk stratification still needs improvement, especially in asymptomatic family members. Particularly, the role of genetic testing and environmental factors has to be further elucidated. Therapeutic interventions include restriction from physical exercise, beta-blockers, sotalol, amiodarone, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and catheter ablation. Life-long follow-up is warranted in symptomatic patients, but also asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic mutations. PMID:24772256

  8. Early-onset and classical forms of type 2 diabetes show impaired expression of genes involved in muscle branched-chain amino acids metabolism.

    PubMed

    Hernández-Alvarez, María Isabel; Díaz-Ramos, Angels; Berdasco, María; Cobb, Jeff; Planet, Evarist; Cooper, Diane; Pazderska, Agnieszka; Wanic, Krzystof; O'Hanlon, Declan; Gomez, Antonio; de la Ballina, Laura R; Esteller, Manel; Palacin, Manuel; O'Gorman, Donal J; Nolan, John J; Zorzano, Antonio

    2017-10-23

    The molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathophysiological traits of type 2 diabetes are incompletely understood. Here we have performed transcriptomic analysis in skeletal muscle, and plasma metabolomics from subjects with classical and early-onset forms of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Focused studies were also performed in tissues from ob/ob and db/db mice. We document that T2D, both early and late onset, are characterized by reduced muscle expression of genes involved in branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) metabolism. Weighted Co-expression Networks Analysis provided support to idea that the BCAA genes are relevant in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, and that mitochondrial BCAA management is impaired in skeletal muscle from T2D patients. In diabetic mice model we detected alterations in skeletal muscle proteins involved in BCAA metabolism but not in obese mice. Metabolomic analysis revealed increased levels of branched-chain keto acids (BCKA), and BCAA in plasma of T2D patients, which may result from the disruption of muscle BCAA management. Our data support the view that inhibition of genes involved in BCAA handling in skeletal muscle takes place as part of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, and this occurs both in early-onset and in classical type 2 diabetes.

  9. [Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome with non-obstructive cardiomyopathy treated with methotrexate].

    PubMed

    Blétry, O; De Prost, Y; Scheuble, C; Frank, R; Godeau, P

    1979-07-01

    The case of a 50 year old male with the Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis and generalised pustular psoriasis is reported. This condition wax complicated by non-obstructive cardiomyopathy, congestive cardiac failure and first-degree atrioventricular block, the site of which was localised by electrophysiological studies (nodal block with an infrahisian conduction defect). After failure of several therapeutic regimes, a spectacular improvement was obtained with Methotrexate associated with a diuretic; the signs of heart failure regressed and the cardiomyopathy stablised. A parallel improvement was seen in the skin, cardiac and articular lesions and has been maintained with an 18 months follow-up. Left ventricular performance was studied by echocardiography. The mechanism of the beneficial effect of Methotrexate is unclear; this therapeutic trial is to be extended to include other cases of primary cardiomyopathy without obstruction.

  10. Development of Diagnostic Biomarkers for Detecting Diabetic Retinopathy at Early Stages Using Quantitative Proteomics

    PubMed Central

    Min, Hophil; Kim, Sang Jin; Oh, Sohee; Kim, Kyunggon; Yu, Hyeong Gon; Park, Taesung; Kim, Youngsoo

    2016-01-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) and is a leading cause of vision impairment and loss among adults. Here, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis to discover biomarkers for DR. First, to identify biomarker candidates that are specifically expressed in human vitreous, we performed data-mining on both previously published DR-related studies and our experimental data; 96 proteins were then selected. To confirm and validate the selected biomarker candidates, candidates were selected, confirmed, and validated using plasma from diabetic patients without DR (No DR) and diabetics with mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (Mi or Mo NPDR) using semiquantitative multiple reaction monitoring (SQ-MRM) and stable-isotope dilution multiple reaction monitoring (SID-MRM). Additionally, we performed a multiplex assay using 15 biomarker candidates identified in the SID-MRM analysis, which resulted in merged AUC values of 0.99 (No DR versus Mo NPDR) and 0.93 (No DR versus Mi and Mo NPDR). Although further validation with a larger sample size is needed, the 4-protein marker panel (APO4, C7, CLU, and ITIH2) could represent a useful multibiomarker model for detecting the early stages of DR. PMID:26665153

  11. RESTRICTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY AND SECONDARY CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN A MCDOWELL'S CARPET PYTHON (MORELIA SPILOTA MCDOWELLI).

    PubMed

    Schilliger, Lionel; Chetboul, Valérie; Damoiseaux, Cécile; Nicolier, Alexandra

    2016-12-01

    Echocardiography is an established and noninvasive diagnostic tool used in herpetologic cardiology. Various cardiac lesions have been previously described in reptiles with the exception of restrictive cardiomyopathy. In this case report, restrictive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure associated with left atrial and sinus venosus dilation were diagnosed in a 2-yr-old captive lethargic McDowell's carpet python ( Morelia spilota mcdowelli), based on echocardiographic, Doppler, and histopathologic examinations. This cardiomyopathy was also associated with thrombosis within the sinus venosus.

  12. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Case Series and Literature Review

    PubMed Central

    Cavayero, Chase; Kar, Pran; Kar, Sunny

    2016-01-01

    Although originally considered to be uncommon, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is becoming increasingly visible, annually comprising an increasing portion of suspected diagnoses of acute coronary syndrome. This condition is characterized by reversible left ventricular akinesis without significant coronary artery obstruction. This case study presents five patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as confirmed by echocardiogram and angiography. All of the patients presented with classic myocardial chest pain and elevated troponins. Following diagnosis, they were treated with supportive measures, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta-blockers. All patients made a full recovery. Though the mechanism of Takotsubo has not been fully elucidated, hypotheses suggest it may be related to excessive catecholamine levels causing either myocardial stunning or coronary vasospasm. Recognition and understanding of this unusual pathology are essential because it can lead to improved clinical management. PMID:27446769

  13. Age-dependent systemic DNA damage in early Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Rogulj, Dinko; El Aklouk, Ismail; Konjevoda, Paško; Ljubić, Spomenka; Pibernik Okanović, Mirjana; Barbir, Ante; Luburić, Marijana; Radman, Maja; Budinski, Ninoslav; Vučić Lovrenčić, Marijana

    2017-01-01

    Oxidative stress, capable of eliciting damage to various biomolecules including DNA, is a recognized component of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as other unfavorable outcomes. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of oxidative stress in the development of T2DM, by investigating association of oxidative DNA damage with metabolic parameters in subjects with MetS and early T2DM. Selected anthropometric and biochemical parameters of MetS, inflammation and oxidative DNA damage: body mass index (BMI), fatty liver index (FLI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), total leukocyte/neutrophil count, and urinary 8-hidroxy-deoxyguanosine (u-8-OHdG) were assessed in male subjects with MetS and both younger (≤55 years) and older (>55 years) subjects with T2DM of short duration without complications. BMI, FLI, WC, total and LDL-cholesterol and uric acid were higher, while the u-8-OHdG was lower in MetS group, when compared to older T2DM subjects. None of these parameters were different neither between MetS and younger T2DM, nor between two sub-groups of subjects with T2DM. Values of CRP, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, GGT, leukocytes and neutrophils were not different between all examined groups of subjects. Higher 8-OHdG in older subjects with T2DM suggests that both aging process and diabetes could contribute to the development of DNA damage. Oxidative DNA damage cannot serve as an universal early marker of T2DM.

  14. Recommendations for participation in competitive sport and leisure-time physical activity in individuals with cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and pericarditis.

    PubMed

    Pelliccia, Antonio; Corrado, Domenico; Bjørnstad, Hans Halvor; Panhuyzen-Goedkoop, Nicole; Urhausen, Axel; Carre, Francois; Anastasakis, Aris; Vanhees, Luc; Arbustini, Eloisa; Priori, Silvia

    2006-12-01

    Several relatively uncommon, but important cardiovascular diseases are associated with increased risk for acute cardiac events during exercise (including sudden death), such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and myo-pericarditis. Practising cardiologists are frequently asked to advise on exercise programmes and sport participation in young individuals with these cardiovascular diseases. Indeed, many asymptomatic (or mildly symptomatic) patients with cardiomyopathies aspire to a physically active lifestyle to take advantage of the many documented benefits of exercise. While recommendations dictating the participation in competitive sport for athletes with cardiomyopathies and myo-pericarditis have recently been published as a consensus document of the European Society of Cardiology, no European guidelines have addressed the possible participation of patients with cardiomyopathies in recreational and amateur sport activities. The present document is intended to offer a comprehensive overview to practising cardiologists and sport physicians of the recommendations governing safe participation in different types of competitive sport, as well as the participation in a variety of recreational physical activities and amateur sports in individuals with cardiomyopathies and myo-pericarditis. These recommendations, based largely on the experience and insights of the expert panel appointed by the European Society of Cardiology, include the most up-to-date information concerning regular exercise and sports activity in patients with cardiomyopathies and myo-pericarditis.

  15. Demographic Characteristics, Survival and Prognostic Factors of Early Breast Cancer Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study

    PubMed

    Behrouzi, Bita; Mohagheghi, Mohammad Ali; Sadighi, Sanambar

    2017-09-27

    Objective: With increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in Iran, we aimed to search hospital registries of breast cancer patients to investigate type 2 diabetes mellitus association with survival outcomes of early breast cancer after adjustment of confounding factors. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study conducted from July 2003 to Feb 2014 and followed up until death or December 2016, female patients with early breast cancer who have been treated for the first time at the Cancer Institute of Iran, were divided to diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Primary and secondary outcomes were relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). SPSS version 23 was used for analysis of data. Other variables included age, tumor stage, hormone receptor status, tumor subtype, and patient’s body mass index (BMI). Result: From a total of 1021 patients, 218 (21.4%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients had a higher mean age (53.31 vs 47.00), higher mean BMI (31.13 vs 29.15), lower HER2 expression (20.8% vs 32.1%) and higher frequency of luminal A subtype (61.1% vs 51.0). Overall, after adjustment of other variables, diabetes status did not affect RFS or OS independently. However, in luminal A subgroup, patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly lower survival outcomes of OS (135.277 vs 154.701) and RFS (114.107 vs 133.612) as well as OS higher hazard ratio of 1.830 and RFS hazard ratio of 1.663 compared to non-diabetic patients. BMI, hormone receptor status and tumor stage significantly affected the survival of the patients. Conclusion: In the present study, in addition to known breast cancer risk factors, BMI and type 2 diabetes mellitus had an independent impact on survival of the patients, highlighting the importance of health issues such as obesity and diabetes suboptimal performance in the treatment outcomes of early breast cancer patients in Iran. Creative Commons Attribution License

  16. Diabetes mellitus and CKD awareness: the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

    PubMed

    Whaley-Connell, Adam; Sowers, James R; McCullough, Peter A; Roberts, Tricia; McFarlane, Samy I; Chen, Shu-Cheng; Li, Suying; Wang, Changchun; Collins, Allan J; Bakris, George L

    2009-04-01

    Diabetes contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to describe CKD awareness and identify factors associated with optimal glycemic control in diabetic and nondiabetic individuals both aware and unaware of CKD. This cross-sectional analysis compared Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2006 participants with diabetes and CKD. CKD was defined and staged using glomerular filtration rate (estimated by using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio. NHANES defined diabetes as self-reported diabetes or fasting plasma blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or greater, and KEEP as self-reported diabetes or diabetic retinopathy, use of diabetes medications, fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or greater, or nonfasting glucose level of 200 mg/dL or greater. Of 77,077 KEEP participants, 20,200 (26.2%) were identified with CKD and 23,082 (29.9%) were identified with diabetes. Of 9,536 NHANES participants, 1,743 (18.3%) were identified with CKD and 1,127 (11.8%) were identified with diabetes. Of KEEP participants with diabetes and CKD (n = 7,853), 736 (9.4%) were aware of CKD. Trends in lack of CKD awareness were similar for KEEP participants with and without diabetes. Unaware participants with and without diabetes identified with stages 1 and 2 CKD were less likely to reach target glucose levels, defined as fasting glucose level less than 126 mg/dL or nonfasting glucose level less than 140 mg/dL, than those with stages 3 to 5 (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 0.78; odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.81; P < 0.001, respectively). Our data support that KEEP, as a targeted screening program, is a more enriched population with CKD and comorbid diabetes than NHANES. In addition, our findings highlight the relationship between dysglycemia and early

  17. Comparison of electrochemical skin conductance and vibration perception threshold measurement in the detection of early diabetic neuropathy.

    PubMed

    Goel, Amit; Shivaprasad, Channabasappa; Kolly, Anish; Sarathi H A, Vijaya; Atluri, Sridevi

    2017-01-01

    The early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is challenging. Sudomotor dysfunction is one of the earliest detectable abnormalities in DPN. The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of the electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) test in detecting early DPN, compared with the vibration perception threshold (VPT) test and diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) score, using the modified neuropathy disability score (NDS) as the reference standard. Five hundred and twenty-three patients with type 2 diabetes underwent an NDS-based clinical assessment for neuropathy. Participants were classified into the DPN and non-DPN groups based on the NDS (≥ 6). Both groups were evaluated further using the DNS, and VPT and ESC testing. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of ESC measurements with those of DNS and VPT testing in detecting DPN. The DPN group (n = 110, 21%) had significantly higher HbA1c levels and longer diabetes durations compared with the non-DPN group (n = 413). The sensitivity of feet ESC < 60 μS, VPT testing, and DNS in detecting DPN were 85%, 72%, and 52%, respectively. The specificity of feet ESC, VPT, and DNS in detecting DPN were 85%, 90% and 60% respectively. The areas under the curves of the ROC plots for feet ESC, VPT testing, and DNS were 0.88, 0.84, and 0.6, respectively. A significant inverse linear relationship was noted between VPT and feet ESC (r = -0.45, p = <0.0001). The odds ratios for having DPN, based on the mean feet ESC testing < 60 μS, VPT testing > 15 V, and DNS ≥ 1, were 16.4, 10.9 and 1.8, respectively. ESC measurement is an objective and sensitive technique for the early detection of DPN. Feet ESC measurement was superior to VPT testing for identifying patients with early DPN.

  18. Comparison of electrochemical skin conductance and vibration perception threshold measurement in the detection of early diabetic neuropathy

    PubMed Central

    Kolly, Anish; Sarathi H. A., Vijaya; Atluri, Sridevi

    2017-01-01

    The early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is challenging. Sudomotor dysfunction is one of the earliest detectable abnormalities in DPN. The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of the electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) test in detecting early DPN, compared with the vibration perception threshold (VPT) test and diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) score, using the modified neuropathy disability score (NDS) as the reference standard. Five hundred and twenty-three patients with type 2 diabetes underwent an NDS-based clinical assessment for neuropathy. Participants were classified into the DPN and non-DPN groups based on the NDS (≥ 6). Both groups were evaluated further using the DNS, and VPT and ESC testing. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of ESC measurements with those of DNS and VPT testing in detecting DPN. The DPN group (n = 110, 21%) had significantly higher HbA1c levels and longer diabetes durations compared with the non-DPN group (n = 413). The sensitivity of feet ESC < 60 μS, VPT testing, and DNS in detecting DPN were 85%, 72%, and 52%, respectively. The specificity of feet ESC, VPT, and DNS in detecting DPN were 85%, 90% and 60% respectively. The areas under the curves of the ROC plots for feet ESC, VPT testing, and DNS were 0.88, 0.84, and 0.6, respectively. A significant inverse linear relationship was noted between VPT and feet ESC (r = -0.45, p = <0.0001). The odds ratios for having DPN, based on the mean feet ESC testing < 60 μS, VPT testing > 15 V, and DNS ≥ 1, were 16.4, 10.9 and 1.8, respectively. ESC measurement is an objective and sensitive technique for the early detection of DPN. Feet ESC measurement was superior to VPT testing for identifying patients with early DPN. PMID:28880907

  19. Impact of ethyl pyruvate on Adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Menglin; Wang, Menglong; Liu, Jianfang; Luo, Zhen; Shi, Lei; Feng, Ying; Li, Li; Xu, Lin; Wan, Jun

    2016-01-01

    Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a derivative of pyruvic acid, is known to have protective effects against ischemic cardiomyopathy and other disorders. However, little is known about its role in Adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiomyopathy. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of EP on ADR-induced cardiomyopathy in an animal model. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups: Normal control, EP, ADR and ADR + EP groups (n=15/group). Rats in the ADR and ADR + EP groups were treated with ADR (2.5 mg/kg/week intraperitoneally) for 6 weeks. From the eighth week, rats in the EP and ADR + EP groups received EP via gastric lavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 30 days. After completing the EP treatment, cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and then rats were sacrificed. Hearts were harvested for subsequent analysis. Compared with rats in the normal control and EP groups (without ADR treatment), rats in the ADR and ADR + EP groups showed significant impairments in terms of cardiac function, apoptosis, severe oxidative stress and fibrosis in the heart. However, these impairments were alleviated by EP treatment in the ADR + EP group. Upon EP treatment, cardiac function was significantly improved. The levels of oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis in the myocardial tissues were also significantly reduced. These findings indicated that EP treatment attenuated, at least partially, ADR-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. PMID:27882138

  20. Experiences of health care in women with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Sweden: a qualitative interview study.

    PubMed

    Patel, Harshida; Schaufelberger, Maria; Begley, Cecily; Berg, Marie

    2016-12-08

    Peripartum cardiomyopathy is often associated with severe heart failure occurring towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following birth with debilitating, exhausting and frightening symptoms requiring person-centered care. The aim of this study was to explore women's experiences of health care while being diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy in Sweden, following consent. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Confirmability was ensured by peer-debriefing, and an audit trail was kept to establish the credibility of the study. The main theme in the experience of health care was, 'Exacerbated Suffering', expressed in three subthemes; 'not being cared about', 'not being cared for' and 'not feeling secure.' The suffering was present in relation to the illness with failing health symptoms, but most of all in relation to not being taken seriously and adequately cared for by healthcare professionals. Women felt they were on an assembly line in midwives' routine work where knowledge about peripartum cardiomyopathy was lacking and they showed distrust and dissatisfaction with care related to negligence and indifference experienced from healthcare professionals. Feelings of being alone and lost were prominent and related to a sense of insecurity, distress and uneasiness. This study shows a knowledge gap of peripartum cardiomyopathy in maternity care personnel. This is alarming as the deprecation of symptoms and missed diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy can lead to life-threatening consequences. To prompt timely diagnosis and avoid unnecessary suffering it is important to listen seriously to, and respect, women's narratives and act on expressions of symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy, even those overlapping normal pregnancy symptoms.

  1. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with Addison disease: is apical ballooning always reversible?

    PubMed

    Barcin, Cem; Kursaklioglu, Hurkan; Kose, Sedat; Amasyali, Basri; Isik, Ersoy

    2010-01-07

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary obstruction. Complete improvement of ventricular function is seen in the vast majority of the patients. We describe a 40-year-old woman with Addison disease who experienced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy but with persistent apical dysfunction during 5-month-follow up.

  2. Dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure. An update for pediatricians.

    PubMed

    Caviedes Bottner, Paola; Córdova Fernández, Tamara; Larraín Valenzuela, Marcos; Cruces Romero Presentación de Casos Clínicos, Pablo

    2018-06-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is the main cause of heart failure leading to heart transplant. Its prognosis is variable and depends on the etiology, the patient's age at onset, and the severity. The management of dilated cardiomyopathy is aimed at minimizing symptoms and preventing disease progression; it requires a comprehensive screening for comorbidities and the prevention of complications to improve the overall status of these children and mitigate their prognosis. Here we present a review oriented at the multidisciplinary management that pediatricians should consider when seeing these patients. Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.

  3. Gene Editing and Gene-Based Therapeutics for Cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Ohiri, Joyce C; McNally, Elizabeth M

    2018-04-01

    With an increasing understanding of genetic defects leading to cardiomyopathy, focus is shifting to correcting these underlying genetic defects. One approach involves treating mutant RNA through antisense oligonucleotides; the first drug has received regulatory approval to treat specific mutations associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Gene editing is being evaluated in the preclinical setting. For inherited cardiomyopathies, genetic correction strategies require tight specificity for the mutant allele. Gene-editing methods are being tested to create deletions that may be useful to restore protein expression by through the bypass of mutations that restore protein production. Site-specific gene editing, which is required to correct many point mutations, is a less efficient process than inducing deletions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. [Early coronary heart disease together with tyoe II diabetes mellitus in persons of Hindustani origin].

    PubMed

    Bongers, I; Westendorp, R G; Stolk, B; Huysmans, H A; Vandenbroucke, J P

    1995-01-07

    To investigate the association between early coronary heart disease and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in South Asian patients in the Netherlands, a homogeneous population which descends from Indian immigrants to Surinam in the late nineteenth century. Case control study. University hospital Leiden. South Asian patients (n = 38) and control patients (n = 76) were identified in an automated data base comprising all patients who had aortocoronary surgery in the period January 1st 1990 to January 1st 1993. Control patients were from the general population and matched for calendar time. Patients' characteristics such as the onset of coronary heart disease and the presence of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were obtained from the medical records at the time of surgery. The onset of coronary heart disease in South Asian patients occurred about eight years earlier than in control patients (49.8 versus 58.2 years; 95% confidence interval of the difference: 4.3-12.5). Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus was about four times more frequent in South Asian patients (50% versus 13%; 19-54). This difference was the same after correction for differences in sex, age, and body mass index. Diabetes mellitus caused by insulin resistance significantly contributes to early coronary heart disease in South Asian immigrant patients, in accordance with the literature on the present population of India. These findings strengthen the belief that genetic factor are important in the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.

  5. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Resulting in Cardiac Arrest in a Patient Undergoing Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Can, M Güner; Özer, A; İyigün, M; Gökay, B Vural; Emiroğlu, R

    2017-12-01

    Cardiac complications during and after liver transplantation are a common cause of death. Although considered to be uncommon, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by reversible left ventricular akinesis without coronary artery obstruction, is becoming increasingly reported. Herein we have presented a case of reversible stress-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy resulting in cardiac arrest in a patient undergoing liver transplantation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Experience with beta-blockers in long term management of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Mohsin, Kiren; Akhtar, Naveed

    2004-01-01

    Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an ominous complication of pregnancy, about which little is known. Although the role of Beta Blockers is well established in heart failure, there is limited data evaluating their use in Peripartum cardiomyopathy. We report the use of Beta-Blockers (metoprolol) in conjunct with standard heart failure therapy in two patients of PPCM with favorable long-term outcome. Our experience, although limited, highlights the significance of use of Beta-Blockers in this rare life threatening condition.

  7. Dysregulated autophagy in restrictive cardiomyopathy due to Pro209Leu mutation in BAG3.

    PubMed

    Schänzer, A; Rupp, S; Gräf, S; Zengeler, D; Jux, C; Akintürk, H; Gulatz, L; Mazhari, N; Acker, T; Van Coster, R; Garvalov, B K; Hahn, A

    2018-03-01

    Myofibrillary myopathies (MFM) are hereditary myopathies histologically characterized by degeneration of myofibrils and aggregation of proteins in striated muscle. Cardiomyopathy is common in MFM but the pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. The BAG3-Pro209Leu mutation is associated with early onset MFM and severe restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), often necessitating heart transplantation during childhood. We report on a young male patient with a BAG3-Pro209Leu mutation who underwent heart transplantation at eight years of age. Detailed morphological analyses of the explanted heart tissue showed intracytoplasmic inclusions, aggregation of BAG3 and desmin, disintegration of myofibers and Z-disk alterations. The presence of undegraded autophagosomes, seen by electron microscopy, as well as increased levels of p62, LC3-I and WIPI1, detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses, indicated a dysregulation of autophagy. Parkin and PINK1, proteins involved in mitophagy, were slightly increased whereas mitochondrial OXPHOS activities were not altered. These findings indicate that altered autophagy plays a role in the pathogenesis and rapid progression of RCM in MFM caused by the BAG3-Pro209Leu mutation, which could have implications for future therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. The innate immune system in chronic cardiomyopathy: a European Society of Cardiology (ESC) scientific statement from the Working Group on Myocardial Function of the ESC.

    PubMed

    Frantz, Stefan; Falcao-Pires, Ines; Balligand, Jean-Luc; Bauersachs, Johann; Brutsaert, Dirk; Ciccarelli, Michele; Dawson, Dana; de Windt, Leon J; Giacca, Mauro; Hamdani, Nazha; Hilfiker-Kleiner, Denise; Hirsch, Emilio; Leite-Moreira, Adelino; Mayr, Manuel; Thum, Thomas; Tocchetti, Carlo G; van der Velden, Jolanda; Varricchi, Gilda; Heymans, Stephane

    2018-03-01

    Activation of the immune system in heart failure (HF) has been recognized for over 20 years. Initially, experimental studies demonstrated a maladaptive role of the immune system. However, several phase III trials failed to show beneficial effects in HF with therapies directed against an immune activation. Preclinical studies today describe positive and negative effects of immune activation in HF. These different effects depend on timing and aetiology of HF. Therefore, herein we give a detailed review on immune mechanisms and their importance for the development of HF with a special focus on commonalities and differences between different forms of cardiomyopathies. The role of the immune system in ischaemic, hypertensive, diabetic, toxic, viral, genetic, peripartum, and autoimmune cardiomyopathy is discussed in depth. Overall, initial damage to the heart leads to disease specific activation of the immune system whereas in the chronic phase of HF overlapping mechanisms occur in different aetiologies. © 2018 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.

  9. Have clinical studies demonstrated diabetes prevention or delay of diabetes through early treatment?

    PubMed

    Southwood, Robin L

    2010-01-01

    The incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase at alarming rates. Prediabetes is a state of abnormal glycemic values that are not abnormal enough to result in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Significant interest in the prevention of diabetes has resulted in trials evaluating pharmacologic intervention and lifestyle intervention to prevent the development of diabetes. Controversy exists over the exact definition of diabetes prevention. Agents might possibly delay diagnosis of diabetes via pharmacologic lowering of blood glucose. Goals of diabetes prevention include decreased cardiovascular disease. Trials assessing diabetes prevention should assess 1) Impact of the study drug upon the incidence of diabetes, 2) Impact of the study drug upon diagnosis of diabetes after post-treatment washout phase, 3) Assessment of insulin sensitivity/@-cell function/insulin secretion and blood glucose, 4) Assessment of confounding factors, 5) Impact of the study drug on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The published studies were reviewed using these criteria. Six studies evaluating seven agents have been were reviewed. Six of the seven agents reduced diagnosis of diabetes during use, but only two demonstrated effect after washout phase. One of the two agents has been withdrawn from the market. The second agent had a short follow-up period making the results difficult to interpret. Assessment of insulin secretion at entry to trial was common, however ongoing reassessment was uncommon. All studies attempted to assess confounding factors, however stratification of drug benefit relative to amount of lifestyle modification benefit was not reported in trials. Cardiovascular benefit in the form of reduced hypertension was documented with three agents. Pharmacologic prevention of type 2 diabetes remains unproven, due in part to the difficulty distinguishing between prevention and delay. Reduction in cardiovascular benefit is unproven with most agents studied. Larger

  10. Factors predicting early postpartum glucose intolerance in Japanese women with gestational diabetes mellitus: decision-curve analysis.

    PubMed

    Kondo, M; Nagao, Y; Mahbub, M H; Tanabe, T; Tanizawa, Y

    2018-04-29

    To identify factors predicting early postpartum glucose intolerance in Japanese women with gestational diabetes mellitus, using decision-curve analysis. A retrospective cohort study was performed. The participants were 123 Japanese women with gestational diabetes who underwent 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests at 8-12 weeks after delivery. They were divided into a glucose intolerance and a normal glucose tolerance group based on postpartum oral glucose tolerance test results. Analysis of the pregnancy oral glucose tolerance test results showed predictive factors for postpartum glucose intolerance. We also evaluated the clinical usefulness of the prediction model based on decision-curve analysis. Of 123 women, 78 (63.4%) had normoglycaemia and 45 (36.6%) had glucose intolerance. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed insulinogenic index/fasting immunoreactive insulin and summation of glucose levels, assessed during pregnancy oral glucose tolerance tests (total glucose), to be independent risk factors for postpartum glucose intolerance. Evaluating the regression models, the best discrimination (area under the curve 0.725) was obtained using the basic model (i.e. age, family history of diabetes, BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 and use of insulin during pregnancy) plus insulinogenic index/fasting immunoreactive insulin <1.1. Decision-curve analysis showed that combining insulinogenic index/fasting immunoreactive insulin <1.1 with basic clinical information resulted in superior net benefits for prediction of postpartum glucose intolerance. Insulinogenic index/fasting immunoreactive insulin calculated using oral glucose tolerance test results during pregnancy is potentially useful for predicting early postpartum glucose intolerance in Japanese women with gestational diabetes. © 2018 Diabetes UK.

  11. Choroidal thickness alterations in diabetic nephropathy patients with early or no diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Kocasarac, Can; Yigit, Yavuz; Sengul, Erkan; Sakalar, Yildirim Beyazit

    2018-04-01

    To assess changes in choroidal thickness (CT) in diabetes patients with and without diabetic nephropathy using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Thirty-five type 2 diabetes patients with a diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DNP) in nephrology department and 35 type 2 diabetes patients without nephropathy (non-DNP) were included in our prospective study consecutively. The control group comprised 34 healthy individuals. CT measurements were recorded under the fovea and at 1500 µm from the foveal center in the nasal and temporal sides. The study parameters also included age, refractive error, axial length, intraocular pressure, HbA1c, glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria amount. The subfoveal, temporal and nasal choroidal thickness was noted to be thinner in patients with DNP compared with non-DNP and normal subjects (p < 0.05). However, CT measurements did not show any difference between the healthy and non-DNP group. CT decreases significantly in diabetic patients when diabetic nephropathy accompanies diabetes mellitus.

  12. Role of crystallins in diabetic complications.

    PubMed

    Reddy, Vadde Sudhakar; Reddy, G Bhanuprakash

    2016-01-01

    Crystallins are the major structural proteins of vertebrate eye lens responsible for maintaining the refractive index of the lens. However, recent studies suggest that they also have a functional significance in non-lenticular tissues. Prolonged uncontrolled diabetes results in the development of macro and microvascular complications that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients all over the world. Recent studies have shown that crystallins play an instrumental role in diabetes and its complications. Therefore, this review highlights the current data on the impact of chronic hyperglycemia on expression, distribution, glycation, phosphorylation, chaperone-like function and, anti-apoptotic activity of crystallins. Furthermore, we discussed the insights for developing therapeutic strategies for diabetic complications including natural agents, peptides, and pharmacological chaperones that modulate or mimic chaperone activity of α-crystallins. Upregulation of crystallins appears to be a common feature of chronic diabetes. Further, chronic hyperglycemia induces the glycation and phosphorylation of crystallins, mainly α-crystallins and thereby alters their properties. The disturbed interaction of αB-crystallin with various apoptotic mediators including Bax and caspases is also an important factor for increased cell death in diabetes. Numerous dietary agents, peptides, and chemical chaperones prevent apoptosis and the loss of chaperone activity in diabetes. Understanding the role of crystallins will aid in developing therapeutic strategies for alleviating pathophysiological conditions such as protein aggregation, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with chronic complications of diabetes including cataract, retinopathy, and cardiomyopathy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin Biochemistry in Health and Disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Non-Compact Cardiomyopathy or Ventricular Non-Compact Syndrome?

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Ventricular myocardial non-compaction has been recognized and defined as a genetic cardiomyopathy by American Heart Association since 2006. The argument on the nomenclature and pathogenesis of this kind of ventricular myocardial non-compaction characterized by regional ventricular wall thickening and deep trabecular recesses often complicated with chronic heart failure, arrhythmia and thromboembolism and usually overlap the genetics and phenotypes of other kind of genetic or mixed cardiomyopathy still exist. The proper classification and correct nomenclature of the non-compact ventricles will contribute to the precisely and completely understanding of etiology and its related patho-physiological mechanism for a better risk stratification and more personalized therapy of the disease individually. All of the genetic heterogeneity and phenotypical overlap and the variety in histopathological, electromechanical and clinical presentation indicates that some of the cardiomyopathies might just be the different consequence of myocardial development variations related to gene mutation and phenotype of one or group genes induced by the interacted and disturbed process of gene modulation at different links of gene function expression and some other etiologies. This review aims to establish a new concept of "ventricular non-compaction syndrome" based on the demonstration of the current findings of etiology, epidemiology, histopathology and echocardiography related to the disorder of ventricular myocardial compaction and myocardial electromechanical function development. PMID:25580189

  14. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in the Setting of Tension Pneumothorax.

    PubMed

    Gale, Michael; Loarte, Pablo; Mirrer, Brooks; Mallet, Thierry; Salciccioli, Louis; Petrie, Alison; Cohen, Ronny

    2015-01-01

    Background. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is defined as a transient left ventricular dysfunction, usually accompanied by electrocardiographic changes. The literature documents only two other cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the latter setting. Methods. A 78-year-old female presented to the ED with severe shortness of breath, hypertension, and tachycardia. On physical exam, heart sounds (S1 and S2) were regular and wheezing was noticed bilaterally. We found laboratory results with a WBC of 20.0 (103/μL), troponin of 16.52 ng/mL, CK-mb of 70.6%, and BNP of 177 pg/mL. The patient was intubated for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. A chest X-ray revealed a large left-sided tension pneumothorax. Initial echocardiogram showed apical ballooning with a LVEF of 10-15%. A cardiac angiography revealed normal coronary arteries with no coronary disease. After supportive treatment, the patient's condition improved with a subsequent echocardiogram showing a LVEF of 60%. Conclusion. The patient was found to have Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of a tension pneumothorax. The exact mechanisms of ventricular dysfunction have not been clarified. However, multivessel coronary spasm or catecholamine cardiotoxicity has been suggested to have a causative role. We suggest that, in our patient, left ventricular dysfunction was induced by the latter mechanism related to the stress associated with acute pneumothorax.

  15. Developments in the management of Chagas cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Tanowitz, Herbert B; Machado, Fabiana S; Spray, David C; Friedman, Joel M; Weiss, Oren S; Lora, Jose N; Nagajyothi, Jyothi; Moraes, Diego N; Garg, Nisha Jain; Nunes, Maria Carmo P; Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz P

    2016-01-01

    Over 100 years have elapsed since the discovery of Chagas disease and there is still much to learn regarding pathogenesis and treatment. Although there are antiparasitic drugs available, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, they are not totally reliable and often toxic. A recently released negative clinical trial with benznidazole in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy further reinforces the concerns regarding its effectiveness. New drugs and new delivery systems, including those based on nanotechnology, are being sought. Although vaccine development is still in its infancy, the reality of a therapeutic vaccine remains a challenge. New ECG methods may help to recognize patients prone to developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The management of heart failure, stroke and arrhythmias also remains a challenge. Although animal experiments have suggested that stem cell based therapy may be therapeutic in the management of heart failure in Chagas cardiomyopathy, clinical trials have not been promising. PMID:26496376

  16. Developments in the management of Chagas cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Tanowitz, Herbert B; Machado, Fabiana S; Spray, David C; Friedman, Joel M; Weiss, Oren S; Lora, Jose N; Nagajyothi, Jyothi; Moraes, Diego N; Garg, Nisha Jain; Nunes, Maria Carmo P; Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz P

    2015-12-01

    Over 100 years have elapsed since the discovery of Chagas disease and there is still much to learn regarding pathogenesis and treatment. Although there are antiparasitic drugs available, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, they are not totally reliable and often toxic. A recently released negative clinical trial with benznidazole in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy further reinforces the concerns regarding its effectiveness. New drugs and new delivery systems, including those based on nanotechnology, are being sought. Although vaccine development is still in its infancy, the reality of a therapeutic vaccine remains a challenge. New ECG methods may help to recognize patients prone to developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The management of heart failure, stroke and arrhythmias also remains a challenge. Although animal experiments have suggested that stem cell based therapy may be therapeutic in the management of heart failure in Chagas cardiomyopathy, clinical trials have not been promising.

  17. Ameliorative effect of the cinnamon oil from Cinnamomum zeylanicum upon early stage diabetic nephropathy.

    PubMed

    Mishra, Awanish; Bhatti, Rajbir; Singh, Amarjit; Singh Ishar, Mohan Paul

    2010-03-01

    The current study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of the cinnamon oil upon early stage diabetic nephropathy owing to its antioxidant and antidiabetic effect. Cinnamon oil was extracted by hydro-distillation of the dried inner bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume. Further characterization of the extracted oil was carried out using IR, (1)H-NMR, and (13)C-NMR techniques. Early stage of diabetic nephropathy was induced by administration of alloxan (150 mg/kg, I. P.). Cinnamon oil was administered at varying doses (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; I. P.) while the level of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, urea, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione, and catalase were determined. These parameters in cinnamon oil treated groups were compared with those of standard (glipizide; 10 mg/kg) and vehicle treated groups in order to investigate if cinnamon oil confers a significant protection against diabetic nephropathy. Histological studies of the kidney proved the protective effect of cinnamon oil by reducing the glomerular expansion, eradicating hyaline casts, and decreasing the tubular dilatations. Our results indicate that the volatile oil from cinnamon contains more than 98 % cinnamaldehyde and that it confers dose-dependent, significant protection against alloxan-induced renal damage, the maximum decrease in fasting blood glucose having been achieved at the dose of 20 mg/kg. (c) Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.

  18. Α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Protects Early Diabetic Retina from Blood-Retinal Barrier Breakdown and Vascular Leakage via MC4R.

    PubMed

    Cai, Siwei; Yang, Qianhui; Hou, Mengzhu; Han, Qian; Zhang, Hanyu; Wang, Jiantao; Qi, Chen; Bo, Qiyu; Ru, Yusha; Yang, Wei; Gu, Zhongxiu; Wei, Ruihua; Cao, Yunshan; Li, Xiaorong; Zhang, Yan

    2018-01-01

    Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown and vascular leakage is the leading cause of blindness of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation are primary pathogenic factors of this severe DR complication. An effective interventional modality against the pathogenic factors during early DR is needed to curb BRB breakdown and vascular leakage. This study sought to examine the protective effects of α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on early diabetic retina against vascular hyperpermeability, electrophysiological dysfunction, and morphological deterioration in a rat model of diabetes and probe the mechanisms underlying the α-MSH's anti-hyperpermeability in both rodent retinas and simian retinal vascular endothelial cells (RF6A). Sprague Dawley rats were injected through tail vein with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The rats were intravitreally injected with α-MSH or saline at Week 1 and 3 after hyperglycemia. In another 2 weeks, Evans blue assay, transmission electron microscopy, electroretinogram (ERG), and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed to examine the protective effects of α-MSH in diabetic retinas. The expression of pro-inflammatory factors and tight junction at mRNA and protein levels in retinas was analyzed. Finally, the α-MSH's anti-hyperpermeability was confirmed in a high glucose (HG)-treated RF6A cell monolayer transwell culture by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and a fluorescein isothiocyanate-Dextran assay. Universal or specific melanocortin receptor (MCR) blockers were also employed to elucidate the MCR subtype mediating α-MSH's protection. Evans blue assay showed that BRB breakdown and vascular leakage was detected, and rescued by α-MSH both qualitatively and quantitatively in early diabetic retinas; electron microscopy revealed substantially improved retinal and choroidal vessel ultrastructures in α-MSH-treated diabetic retinas; scotopic ERG suggested

  19. Tribbles 3: A potential player in diabetic aortic remodelling.

    PubMed

    Ti, Yun; Xie, Guo-lu; Wang, Zhi-hao; Ding, Wen-yuan; Zhang, Yun; Zhong, Ming; Zhang, Wei

    2016-01-01

    Tribbles 3, whose expression is up-regulated by insulin resistance, was confirmed to be involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy in our previous study. However, it is not known whether Tribbles 3 has a role on conduit arteries such as the aorta in diabetes. Type 2 diabetic rat model was induced by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin. We evaluated the characteristics of diabetic rats by serial ultrasonography and histopathologic analyses of aortic wall architecture. Diabetic rats displayed increased aortic medial thickness, excessive collagen deposition, diminished elastic fibres and reduced vascular compliance together with Tribbles 3 overexpression. To further investigate the role of Tribbles 3 in aortic remodelling, we used Tribbles 3 gene silencing in vivo 12 weeks after onset of diabetes. Silence of Tribbles 3 significantly reversed pathological aortic remodelling without blood pressure modification. In Tribbles 3-small interfering RNA group, medial thickness and perivascular fibrosis were markedly decreased; moreover, there were prominent reductions in collagen content and collagen/elastin ratio, resulting in an improved arterial compliance. Additionally, with Tribbles 3 silencing, the diminished phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt was restored, and increased activation of MKK4/JNK was decreased. Silence of Tribbles 3 is potent in mediating reversal of aortic remodelling, implicating that Tribbles 3 is proposed to be a potential therapeutic target for vascular complication in diabetes. © The Author(s) 2015.

  20. Asn391Thr Mutation of β-Myosin Heavy Chain in a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Family.

    PubMed

    Feng, Xiaotong; He, Tingting; Wang, Ji-Gang; Zhao, Peng

    2018-05-30

    The present study was performed to identify the genetic abnormalities in a family with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 22 members of a Chinese family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 307 healthy controls. A total of 26 candidate pathogenic genes were analyzed in the proband using targeted capture sequencing. Identified mutations were analyzed using Sanger sequencing in all family members and healthy controls.A missense mutation (c.1172A>C, p. Asn391Thr) in exon 12 of MYH7 was identified in eight family members, among which six of them were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy carriers. Three carriers presented with cardiac dysfunction. Four members of this pedigree died suddenly, three of whom were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.From the results of this study, we concluded that the Asn391Thr mutation of MYH7 is a malignant mutation for HCM and that mutation carriers should get effective treatment to prevent sudden death.

  1. Rbm20-deficient cardiogenesis reveals early disruption of RNA processing and sarcomere remodeling establishing a developmental etiology for dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Beraldi, Rosanna; Li, Xing; Martinez Fernandez, Almudena; Reyes, Santiago; Secreto, Frank; Terzic, Andre; Olson, Timothy M; Nelson, Timothy J

    2014-07-15

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) due to mutations in RBM20, a gene encoding an RNA-binding protein, is associated with high familial penetrance, risk of progressive heart failure and sudden death. Although genetic investigations and physiological models have established the linkage of RBM20 with early-onset DCM, the underlying basis of cellular and molecular dysfunction is undetermined. Modeling human genetics using a high-throughput pluripotent stem cell platform was herein designed to pinpoint the initial transcriptome dysfunction and mechanistic corruption in disease pathogenesis. Tnnt2-pGreenZeo pluripotent stem cells were engineered to knockdown Rbm20 (shRbm20) to determine the cardiac-pathogenic phenotype during cardiac differentiation. Intracellular Ca(2+) transients revealed Rbm20-dependent alteration in Ca(2+) handling, coinciding with known pathological splice variants of Titin and Camk2d genes by Day 24 of cardiogenesis. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated elongated and thinner sarcomeres in the absence of Rbm20 that is consistent with human cardiac biopsy samples. Furthermore, Rbm20-depleted transcriptional profiling at Day 12 identified Rbm20-dependent dysregulation with 76% of differentially expressed genes linked to known cardiac pathology ranging from primordial Nkx2.5 to mature cardiac Tnnt2 as the initial molecular aberrations. Notably, downstream consequences of Rbm20-depletion at Day 24 of differentiation demonstrated significant dysregulation of extracellular matrix components such as the anomalous overexpression of the Vtn gene. By using the pluripotent stem cell platform to model human cardiac disease according to a stage-specific cardiogenic roadmap, we established a new paradigm of familial DCM pathogenesis as a developmental disorder that is patterned during early cardiogenesis and propagated with cellular mechanisms of pathological cardiac remodeling. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For

  2. Selenium protein identification and profiling by mass spectrometry: A tool to assess progression of cardiomyopathy in a whale model.

    PubMed

    Bryan, Colleen E; Bossart, Gregory D; Christopher, Steven J; Davis, W Clay; Kilpatrick, Lisa E; McFee, Wayne E; O'Brien, Terrence X

    2017-12-01

    Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death in humans and in some cases the etiology of cardiomyopathy can include the downstream effects of an essential element deficiency. Of all mammal species, pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) present the greatest known prevalence of cardiomyopathy with more than half of examined individuals indicating the presence of cardiomyopathy from gross and histo-pathology. Several factors such as genetics, infectious agents, contaminants, biotoxins, and inappropriate dietary intake (vitamins, selenium, mercury, and pro-oxidants), may contribute to the development of idiopathic cardiomyopathy in K. breviceps. Due to the important role Se can play in antioxidant biochemistry and protein formation, Se protein presence and relative abundance were explored in cardiomyopathy related cases. Selenium proteins were separated and detected by multi-dimension liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS), Se protein identification was performed by liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS), and Se protein profiles were examined in liver (n=30) and heart tissue (n=5) by SEC/UV/ICP-MS detection. Data collected on selenium proteins was evaluated in the context of individual animal trace element concentration, life history, and histological information. Selenium containing protein peak profiles varied in presence and intensity between animals with no pathological findings of cardiomyopathy and animals exhibiting evidence of cardiomyopathy. In particular, one class of proteins, metallothioneins, was found to be associated with Se and was in greater abundance in animals with cardiomyopathy than those with no pathological findings. Profiling Se species with SEC/ICP-MS proved to be a useful tool to identify Se protein pattern differences between heart disease stages in K. breviceps and an approach similar to this may be applied to

  3. Altered retinal microRNA expression profiles in early diabetic retinopathy: an in silico analysis.

    PubMed

    Xiong, Fen; Du, Xinhua; Hu, Jianyan; Li, Tingting; Du, Shanshan; Wu, Qiang

    2014-07-01

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) - as negative regulators of target genes - are associated with various human diseases, but their precise role(s) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to elucidate the involvement of miRNAs in early DR using in silico analysis to explore their gene expression patterns. We used the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat to investigate the roles of miRNAs in early DR. Retinal miRNA expression profiles from diabetic versus healthy control rats were examined by miRNA array analysis. Based on several bioinformatic systems, specifically, gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, we identified signatures of the potential pathological processes, gene functions, and signaling pathways that are influenced by dysregulated miRNAs. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to validate six (i.e. those with significant changes in expression levels) of the 17 miRNAs that were detected in the miRNA array. We also describe the significant role of the miRNA-gene network, which is based on the interactions between miRNAs and target genes. GO analysis of the 17 miRNAs detected in the miRNA array analysis revealed the most prevalent miRNAs to be those related to biological processes, olfactory bulb development and axonogenesis. These miRNAs also exert significant influence on additional pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein and calcium signaling pathways. Six of the seventeen miRNAs were chosen for qRT-PCR validation. With the exception of a slight difference in miRNA-350, our results are in close agreement with the differential expressions detected by array analysis. This study, which describes miRNA expression during the early developmental phases of DR, revealed extensive miRNA interactions. Based on both their target genes and signaling pathways, we suggest that miRNAs perform critical regulatory functions during the early stages of DR

  4. Congestive cardiomyopathy and endobronchial granulomas as manifestations of Churg-Strauss syndrome.

    PubMed Central

    Alvarez-Sala, R.; Prados, C.; Armada, E.; Del Arco, A.; Villamor, J.

    1995-01-01

    Churg-Strauss syndrome is a systemic vasculitis. Its most frequent complications are heart diseases and asthma. Usually, cardiological manifestations are pericarditis, cardiac failure and myocardial infarction. Endobronchial granulomas identified by bronchoscopy are unusual. We present the case of a man with congestive cardiomyopathy and endobronchial granulomas macroscopically visible at bronchoscopy. After a review of medical literature, we found one case of congestive cardiomyopathy and no cases of endobronchial granulomas observed by bronchoscopy associated with Churg-Strauss syndrome. Images Figure PMID:7644400

  5. Parenchymal and Stromal Cells Contribute to Pro-Inflammatory Myocardial Environment at Early Stages of Diabetes: Protective Role of Resveratrol.

    PubMed

    Savi, Monia; Bocchi, Leonardo; Sala, Roberto; Frati, Caterina; Lagrasta, Costanza; Madeddu, Denise; Falco, Angela; Pollino, Serena; Bresciani, Letizia; Miragoli, Michele; Zaniboni, Massimiliano; Quaini, Federico; Del Rio, Daniele; Stilli, Donatella

    2016-11-16

    Background: Little information is currently available concerning the relative contribution of cardiac parenchymal and stromal cells in the activation of the pro-inflammatory signal cascade, at the initial stages of diabetes. Similarly, the effects of early resveratrol (RSV) treatment on the negative impact of diabetes on the different myocardial cell compartments remain to be defined. Methods: In vitro challenge of neonatal cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts to high glucose and in vivo/ex vivo experiments on a rat model of Streptozotocin-induced diabetes were used to specifically address these issues. Results: In vitro data indicated that, besides cardiomyocytes, neonatal fibroblasts contribute to generating initial changes in the myocardial environment, in terms of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. These findings were mostly confirmed at the myocardial tissue level in diabetic rats, after three weeks of hyperglycemia. Specifically, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and Fractalkine were up-regulated and initial abnormalities in cardiomyocyte contractility occurred. At later stages of diabetes, a selective enhancement of pro-inflammatory macrophage M1 phenotype and a parallel reduction of anti-inflammatory macrophage M2 phenotype were associated with a marked disorganization of cardiomyocyte ultrastructural properties. RSV treatment inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production, leading to a recovery of cardiomyocyte contractile efficiency and a reduced inflammatory cell recruitment. Conclusion: Early RSV administration could inhibit the pro-inflammatory diabetic milieu sustained by different cardiac cell types.

  6. Circulating T-Cell Subsets, Monocytes, and Natural Killer Cells in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Results From the Multicenter IPAC Study.

    PubMed

    McTiernan, Charles F; Morel, Penelope; Cooper, Leslie T; Rajagopalan, Navin; Thohan, Vinay; Zucker, Mark; Boehmer, John; Bozkurt, Biykem; Mather, Paul; Thornton, John; Ghali, Jalal K; Hanley-Yanez, Karen; Fett, James; Halder, Indrani; McNamara, Dennis M

    2018-01-01

    The aim of this work was to evaluate the hypothesis that the distribution of circulating immune cell subsets, or their activation state, is significantly different between peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and healthy postpartum (HP) women. PPCM is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and an immune-mediated etiology has been hypothesized. Cellular immunity, altered in pregnancy and the peripartum period, has been proposed to play a role in PPCM pathogenesis. The Investigation of Pregnancy-Associated Cardiomyopathy (IPAC) study enrolled 100 women presenting with a left ventricular ejection fraction of <0.45 within 2 months of delivery. Peripheral T-cell subsets, natural killer (NK) cells, and cellular activation markers were assessed by flow cytometry in PPCM women early (<6 wk), 2 months, and 6 months postpartum and compared with those of HP women and women with non-pregnancy-associated recent-onset cardiomyopathy (ROCM). Entry NK cell levels (CD3-CD56+CD16+; reported as % of CD3- cells) were significantly (P < .0003) reduced in PPCM (6.6 ± 4.9% of CD3- cells) compared to HP (11.9 ± 5%). Of T-cell subtypes, CD3+CD4-CD8-CD38+ cells differed significantly (P < .004) between PPCM (24.5 ± 12.5% of CD3+CD4-CD8- cells) and HP (12.5 ± 6.4%). PPCM patients demonstrated a rapid recovery of NK and CD3+CD4-CD8-CD38+ cell levels. However, black women had a delayed recovery of NK cells. A similar reduction of NK cells was observed in women with ROCM. Compared with HP control women, early postpartum PPCM women show significantly reduced NK cells, and higher CD3+CD4-CD8-CD38+ cells, which both normalize over time postpartum. The mechanistic role of NK cells and "double negative" (CD4-CD8-) T regulatory cells in PPCM requires further investigation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Peripartum cardiomyopathy in the Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti.

    PubMed

    Fett, James D; Carraway, Robert D; Dowell, Duane L; King, Mary Etta; Pierre, Ronald

    2002-05-01

    This report details current epidemiologic information on peripartum cardiomyopathy in 1 district of Haiti and represents the initial report of an ongoing investigation that addresses potential etiologic and prognostic factors. Another goal is to alert the medical community of what appears to be a high-incidence area. A detailed peripartum cardiomyopathy registry has been implemented to include a review of case records from 1994 to 2000 and subsequently to identify new cases from February 1, 2000, to July 1, 2001. The Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti is a 600-square mile area with approximately 258,000 population served by a hospital, an associated clinic, and outlying health centers. There are approximately 7740 live births annually. This report details epidemiologic information on the HAS District peripartum cardiomyopathy patients including incidence, mortality rate, complications, and prognostic factors. There were 47 confirmed patients (retrospective cohort, 20 patients; prospective cohort, 27 patients), which was approximately 1 case per 400 live births (compared with an incidence of 1 case per 3000 to 4000 live births in the United States). There were 4 deaths (14% of 29 patients with follow-up), and 7 complications (pulmonary embolism, 1 case; hemiplegia, 1 case; subsequent deterioration of heart function, 5 cases). The prognosis for subsequent pregnancy was 4 of 5 cases (80%) of recurrent congestive heart failure. Peripartum cardiomyopathy appears to be relatively common in the Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti. A core group of patients is identified for ongoing epidemiologic and immunohematologic investigation of risk factors and potential etiologic factors.

  8. Conditioned Medium from Early-Outgrowth Bone Marrow Cells Is Retinal Protective in Experimental Model of Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Duarte, Diego A.; Papadimitriou, Alexandros; Gilbert, Richard E.; Thai, Kerri; Zhang, Yanling; Rosales, Mariana A. B.; Lopes de Faria, José B.; Lopes de Faria, Jacqueline M.

    2016-01-01

    Bone marrow-derived cells were demonstrated to improve organ function, but the lack of cell retention within injured organs suggests that the protective effects are due to factors released by the cells. Herein, we tested cell therapy using early outgrowth cells (EOCs) or their conditioned media (CM) to protect the retina of diabetic animal models (type 1 and type 2) and assessed the mechanisms by in vitro study. Control and diabetic (db/db) mice (8 weeks of age) were randomized to receive a unique intravenous injection of 5×105EOCs or 0.25 ml thrice weekly tail-vein injections of 10x concentrated CM and Wystar Kyoto rats rendered diabetic were randomized to receive 0.50 ml thrice weekly tail-vein injections of 10x concentrated CM. Four weeks later, the animals were euthanized and the eyes were enucleated. Rat retinal Müller cells (rMCs) were exposed for 24 h to high glucose (HG), combined or not with EOC-conditioned medium (EOC-CM) from db/m EOC cultures. Diabetic animals showed increase in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and oxidative damage markers; the treatment with EOCs or CM infusions significantly reduced this damage and re-established the retinal function. In rMCs exposed to diabetic milieu conditions (HG), the presence of EOC-CM reduced reactive oxygen species production by modulating the NADPH-oxidase 4 system, thus upregulating SIRT1 activity and deacetylating Lys-310-p65-NFκB, decreasing GFAP and VEGF expressions. The antioxidant capacity of EOC-CM led to the prevention of carbonylation and nitrosylation posttranslational modifications on the SIRT1 molecule, preserving its activity. The pivotal role of SIRT1 on the mode of action of EOCs or their CM was also demonstrated on diabetic retina. These findings suggest that EOCs are effective as a form of systemic delivery for preventing the early molecular markers of DR and its conditioned medium is equally protective revealing a novel possibility for cell-free therapy for the treatment of DR. PMID:26836609

  9. Use of Simpson's method of disc to detect early echocardiographic changes in Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Wess, G; Mäurer, J; Simak, J; Hartmann, K

    2010-01-01

    M-mode is the echocardiographic gold standard to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, whereas Simpson's method of discs (SMOD) is the preferred method to detect echocardiographic evidence of disease in humans. To establish reference values for SMOD and to compare those with M-mode measurements. Nine hundred and sixty-nine examinations of 471 Doberman Pinschers. Using a prospective longitudinal study design. Reference values for SMOD were established using 75 healthy Doberman Pinschers >8 years old with <50 ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) in 24 hours. The ability of the new SMOD cut-off values, normalized to body surface area (BSA), for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV/BSA >95mL/m(2) ) and end-systolic volume (LVESV/BSA > 55mL/m(2) ) to detect echocardiographic changes in Doberman Pinschers with DCM was compared with currently recommended M-mode values. Dogs with elevated SMOD values but normal M-mode measurements were followed-up using a prospective longitudinal study design. At the final examination 175 dogs were diagnosed with DCM according to both methods (M-mode and SMOD). At previous examinations, M-mode values were abnormal in 142 examinations only, whereas all 175 SMOD already had detected changes. Additionally, 19 of 154 dogs with >100 VPCs/24 hours and normal M-mode values had abnormal SMOD measurement. Six dogs with increased SMOD measurements remained healthy at several follow-up examinations (classified as false positive); in 24 dogs with increased SMOD measurements, no follow-up examinations were available (classified as unclear). SMOD measurements are superior to M-mode to detect early echocardiographic changes in Dobermans with occult DCM. Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

  10. Relationship between red cell distribution width and early renal injury in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Dong; Zhao, Jiangtao; Jian, Liguo; Ding, Tongbin; Liu, Shichao

    2016-09-01

    Previous studies found that red cell distribution width was related to adverse cardiovascular events. However, few studies reported the relationship between red cell distribution width and early-stage renal injury in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Using a cross-sectional design, 334 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were enrolled according to the criterion of inclusion and exclusion. Demographic and clinical examination data were collected. Depended on the urine albumin, study population were divided into case group (n = 118) and control group (n = 216). Compared with control group, the case group tend to be higher red cell distribution width level (13.6 ± 0.9 vs.12.5 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). The red cell distribution width was positively associated with albuminuria creatinine ratio (r = 0.567, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regressions showed that red cell distribution width was still associated with early-stage renal injury after adjusting for many other potential cofounders. Compared with the first quartile, the risk ratio of the second, the third and the fourth quartile were 1.38 (95%CI: 1.06-1.80), 1.57 (95%CI: 1.21-2.97), 2.71 (95%CI: 2.08-3.54), respectively. Besides, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen were also significantly associated with renal injury in gestational diabetes mellitus patients. The elevated red cell distribution width level might be a predictor of early-stage renal injury in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. As an easy and routine examination index, red cell distribution width may provide better clinical guidance when combined with other important indices.

  11. A Novel Locus For Dilated Cardiomyopathy Maps to Canine Chromosome 8

    PubMed Central

    Werner, Petra; Raducha, Michael G.; Prociuk, Ulana; Sleeper, Meg M.; Henthorn, Paula S.

    2008-01-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the most common form of cardiomyopathy, often leads to heart failure and sudden death. While a substantial proportion of DCMs are inherited, mutations responsible for the majority of DCMs remain unidentified. A genome-wide linkage study was performed to identify the locus responsible for an autosomal recessive inherited form of juvenile DCM (JDCM) in Portuguese water dogs using 16 families segregating the disease. Results link the JDCM locus to canine chromosome 8 with two-point and multipoint LOD scores of 10.8 and 14, respectively. The locus maps to a 3.9 Mb region, with complete syntenic homology to human chromosome 14, that contains no genes or loci known to be involved in the development of any type of cardiomyopathy. This discovery of a DCM locus with a previously unknown etiology will provide a new gene to examine in human DCM patients and a model for testing therapeutic approaches for heart failure. PMID:18442891

  12. A novel locus for dilated cardiomyopathy maps to canine chromosome 8.

    PubMed

    Werner, Petra; Raducha, Michael G; Prociuk, Ulana; Sleeper, Meg M; Van Winkle, Thomas J; Henthorn, Paula S

    2008-06-01

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the most common form of cardiomyopathy, often leads to heart failure and sudden death. While a substantial proportion of DCMs are inherited, mutations responsible for the majority of DCMs remain unidentified. A genome-wide linkage study was performed to identify the locus responsible for an autosomal recessive inherited form of juvenile DCM (JDCM) in Portuguese water dogs using 16 families segregating the disease. Results link the JDCM locus to canine chromosome 8 with two-point and multipoint lod scores of 10.8 and 14, respectively. The locus maps to a 3.9-Mb region, with complete syntenic homology to human chromosome 14, that contains no genes or loci known to be involved in the development of any type of cardiomyopathy. This discovery of a DCM locus with a previously unknown etiology will provide a new gene to examine in human DCM patients and a model for testing therapeutic approaches for heart failure.

  13. The Association of Alanine Aminotransferase in Early Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Yarrington, Christina D; Cantonwine, David E; Seely, Ellen W; McElrath, Thomas F; Zera, Chloe A

    2016-06-01

    Elevated alanine amino transferase, attributed to nonalcoholic fatty liver, is associated with later development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We sought to determine whether maternal ALT values are associated with subsequent development of gestational diabetes. We performed a nested case-control study utilizing prospectively banked serum samples collected in early gestation. We excluded women with known diabetes, liver disease, or alcohol use. We included 83 cases of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 247 controls matched for prepregnancy body-mass index (BMI) and compared ALT values. We then performed a conditional logistic regression to model the adjusted odds of GDM in women with ALT ≥19 U/L, stratified by prepregnancy BMI. The median (interquartile range) ALT in cases was 15 (12, 19) IU/L compared to 13 (11, 18) IU/L in controls (P = 0.07). Among women with a prepregnancy BMI <30 kg/m(2), ALT ≥19 U/L was associated with a fourfold increased odds of GDM (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.56 [1.45, 14.27]), while there was no such association among obese women (aOR 0.36 [0.11, 1.20]). Similarly, each unit increase in log-transformed ALT was associated with a threefold increased odds of GDM in nonobese (aOR 3.15 [1.04,9.54]), but not obese (aOR 3.15 [0.30,3.15]) women. The association of high normal ALT and later GDM in nonobese women may reflect the role of hepatic insulin resistance and visceral obesity.

  14. Chagasic cardiomyopathy and Pompe disease: case report

    PubMed Central

    de Morais, Rafael OB; Chaves-Markman, Ândrea V; Miranda, Anna PP; Amorim, Ingrid G; Cavalcanti, Maria da GA de M; Markman, Manuel; Markman-Filho, Brivaldo

    2018-01-01

    Background: Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disease with an autosomal recessive inheritance characterized by an insufficient activity of the acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme. The incidence varies from 1:40000 to 1:200000 live births and cardiac involvement in adults is rare. Chagas disease is an infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, in which one-third of the cases progress to the chronic form, and may lead to cardiac involvement, usually from the fifth decade of life onwards. We report a case of a patient with Chagas and Pompe diseases who had early cardiac involvement and rapid evolution to heart failure. Case report: A 43-year-old male patient with a history of ischemic stroke at 28 years with gait ataxia sequelae. A few years after the episode, he experienced gait impairment and difficulty climbing stairs, attributed to stroke. A family screening for Pompe disease was carried out years later, and thus the diagnosis was made. As for Chagas disease, the investigation was performed because the patient lives in an endemic area. The cardiovascular physical examination did not show significant changes. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with left bundle branch block and first-degree atrioventricular block; the transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated left ventricular systolic dysfunction; the Holter monitoring showed several episodes of ventricular tachycardia. The patient is undergoing optimized treatment for heart failure and enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease. Conclusion: Cardiomyopathy with early onset and with rapid evolution suggests overlap of the two diseases. PMID:29755837

  15. Patient-level predictors of achieving early glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population-based study.

    PubMed

    Svensson, E; Baggesen, L M; Thomsen, R W; Lyngaa, T; Pedersen, L; Nørrelund, H; Buhl, E S; Haase, C L; Johnsen, S P

    2016-11-01

    To identify individual predictors of early glycaemic control in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus after initiation of first glucose-lowering drug treatment in everyday clinical practice. Using medical registries, we identified a population-based cohort of people with a first-time glucose-lowering drug prescription in Northern Denmark in the period 2000-2012. We used Poisson regression analysis to examine patient-level predictors of success in reaching early glycaemic control [HbA 1c target of < 53 mmol/mol (7%)] < 6 months after treatment start. Among the 38 418 people (median age 63 years), 27 545 (72%) achieved early glycaemic control. The strongest predictor of achieving early control was pre-treatment HbA 1c level; compared with a pre-treatment HbA 1c level of ≤ 58 mmol/mol (7.5%), the adjusted relative risks of attaining early control were 0.63 (95% CI 0.61-0.64) for baseline HbA 1c levels of > 58 and ≤ 75 mmol/mol (> 7.5 and ≤ 9%), and 0.58 (95% CI 0.57-0.59) for a baseline HbA 1c level of > 9% (> 75 mmol/mol). All other examined predictors were only weakly associated with the chance of achieving early control. After adjustment, the only characteristics that remained independently associated with early control (in addition to high baseline HbA 1c ) were being widowed (adjusted relative risk 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97) and having a high Charlson comorbidity index score (score ≥ 3; adjusted relative risk 0.94; 95% CI 0.90-0.97). In a real-world clinical setting, people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating glucose-lowering medication had a similar likelihood of achieving glycaemic control, regardless of sex, age, comorbidities and other individual factors; the only strong and potentially modifiable predictor was HbA 1c before therapy start. © 2016 Diabetes UK.

  16. THE INVOLVEMENT OF HUMAN MONOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY GENES IN EXPERIMENTAL POLYGENIC CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY.

    PubMed

    Prestes, Priscilla R; Marques, Francine Z; Lopez-Campos, Guillermo; Lewandowski, Paul; Delbridge, Lea M D; Charchar, Fadi J; Harrap, Stephen B

    2018-05-18

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens heart muscles reducing functionality and increasing risk of cardiac disease and morbidity. Genetic factors are involved, but their contribution is poorly understood. We used the hypertrophic heart rat (HHR), a unique normotensive polygenic model of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure to investigate the role of genes associated with monogenic human cardiomyopathy. We selected 42 genes involved in monogenic human cardiomyopathies to study: 1) DNA variants, by sequencing the whole-genome of 13-week old HHR and age-matched normal heart rat (NHR), its genetic control strain; 2) mRNA expression, by targeted RNA-sequencing in left ventricles of HHR and NHR at five ages (2-days old, 4-, 13-, 33- and 50-weeks old) compared to human idiopathic dilated data; and 3) microRNA expression, with rat microRNA microarrays in left ventricles of 2-days old HHR and age-matched NHR. We also investigated experimentally validated microRNA-mRNA interactions. Whole-genome sequencing revealed unique variants mostly located in non-coding regions of HHR and NHR. We found 29 genes differentially expressed in at least one age. Genes encoding desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) and transthyretin (Ttr) were significantly differentially expressed at all ages in the HHR, but only Ttr was also differentially expressed in human idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Lastly, only two microRNAs differentially expressed in the HHR were present in our comparison of validated microRNA-mRNA interactions. These two microRNAs interact with five of the genes studied. Our study shows that genes involved in monogenic forms of human cardiomyopathies may also influence polygenic forms of the disease.

  17. Retinal changes in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Dumitrescu, Alina Gabriela; Istrate, Sinziana Luminita; Iancu, Raluca Claudia; Guta, Oana Maria; Ciuluvica, Radu; Voinea, Liliana

    2017-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to measure retinal vessel caliber and to examine early changes in macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT). We evaluated to what extend vascular caliber and macular thickness differed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy compared with healthy individuals. 26 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy and 26 normal participants without any retinal and optic nerve diseases underwent ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, and OCT imaging. Temporal inferior retinal vessel diameters were measured using OCT. Also, we measured macular thickness in nine ETDRS subfields using Cirrus OCT. The mean age in the diabetic group was 61.5 years and in the control group, 55.5 years. Wider retinal arterioles and venules were found in patients with diabetes compared with healthy subjects (120 µm versus 96 µm, p<0.005 and 137 µm versus 120.5 µm, p value <0.001, respectively). In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, central macular thickness was significantly thinner than that of control eyes (243.5 µm versus 269.9 µm, p value <0.001). Our results support the hypothesis that the association between vascular damage and structural changes of the neuroretina is an early indicator of retinal impairment in patients with diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.

  18. Smoking is associated with increased hepatic lipase activity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and early atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Kong, C; Nimmo, L; Elatrozy, T; Anyaoku, V; Hughes, C; Robinson, S; Richmond, W; Elkeles, R S

    2001-06-01

    We have studied the relationships between hepatic lipase activity, smoking, dyslipidaemia insulin resistance, and early atherosclerosis in 67 Type 2 diabetic subjects, 47 non-smokers and 20 smokers. Insulin resistance was measured using an insulin modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Early atherosclerosis was assessed using high-resolution ultrasound to measure carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and an arterial ultrasonic score (AUS). Smokers had higher serum cholesterol and triglyceride, lower HDL and HDL2 cholesterol as well as increased hepatic lipase activity. They were also more insulin resistant than non-smokers. Smokers also had higher patient AUS scores. On multiple regression analysis, hepatic lipase activity emerged as the most significant variable affecting patient AUS. We suggest that smoking accentuates the dyslipidaemia of Type 2 diabetic subjects and this is associated with increased hepatic lipase activity. This may be one mechanism whereby smoking further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes.

  19. Abnormal cardiac response to exercise in a murine model of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Lan; Chung, Jessica; Lam, Lien; Tsoutsman, Tatiana; Semsarian, Christopher

    2007-07-10

    Clinical outcome in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) may be influenced by modifying factors such as exercise. Transgenic mice which overexpress the human disease-causing cTnI gene mutation, Gly203Ser (designated cTnI-G203S), develop all the characteristic phenotypic features of FHC. To study the modifying effect of exercise in early disease, mice underwent swimming exercise at an early age prior to the development of the FHC phenotype. In non-transgenic and cTnI-wt mice, swimming resulted in a significant increase in left ventricular wall thickness and contractility on echocardiography, consistent with a physiological hypertrophic response to exercise. In contrast, cTnI-G203S mice showed no increase in these parameters, indicating an abnormal response to exercise. The lack of a physiological response to exercise may indicate an important novel mechanistic insight into the role of exercise in triggering adverse events in FHC.

  20. Use of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging to detect early changes in diabetic kidneys.

    PubMed

    Deng, Yi; Yang, Biran; Peng, Yan; Liu, Zhiqiang; Luo, Jinwen; Du, Guoxin

    2018-03-14

    The purpose of the study was to examine differences in kidney intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) parameters in early-stage diabetic patients versus healthy controls. Nineteen type 2 diabetic patients (group A) with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) < 30 mg/g and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 80-120 mL/(min 1.73 m 2 ) and twelve healthy volunteers (group B) were recruited. Kidneys were scanned with 1.5-Tesla IVIM-DWI. Nine b values (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, and 800 s/mm 2 ) were used. The parameters derived from IVIM-DWI were calculated for each kidney by two radiologists and included the perfusion fraction (f), diffusion coefficient (D), and pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*). The mean values of f, D, and D* were calculated by selecting multiple regions of interest in the kidney. The diagnostic performance of the f, D, and D* values for the diagnosis of early diabetic kidney changes was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Three radiologists independently measured the parameters derived from IVIM-DWI in the two groups by free-hand placing regions of interest, and the interclass coefficients (ICCs) were analyzed by SPSS.16.0 software. The f values of the kidneys were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in healthy volunteers. The D value of the kidneys was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in healthy volunteers. No significant differences in the D* values of the kidneys were observed between diabetic patients and healthy volunteers. The D values of the right kidneys were significantly higher than those of the left kidneys in both groups. The results of the receiver operating characteristic analysis were as follows: left kidney-f value AUC = 0.650 (cutoff point ≥ 27.49%) and D value AUC = 0.752 (cutoff point ≤ 1.68 × 10 -3  mm 2 /s); and right kidney-f value AUC = 0.650 (cutoff point ≥ 28.24%) and D value AUC = 0

  1. Histopathological Correlates of Global and Segmental Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Experimental Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    de Oliveira, Luciano Fonseca Lemos; Romano, Minna Moreira Dias; de Carvalho, Eduardo Elias Vieira; Cabeza, Jorge Mejia; Salgado, Hélio Cesar; Fazan Júnior, Rubens; Costa, Renata Sesti; da Silva, João Santana; Higuchi, Maria de Lourdes; Maciel, Benedito Carlos; Cunha-Neto, Edécio; Marin-Neto, José Antônio; Simões, Marcus Vinícius

    2016-01-21

    Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in humans is characterized by segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (WMA), mainly in the early stages of disease. This study aimed at investigating the detection of WMA and its correlation with the underlying histopathological changes in a chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy model in hamsters. Female Syrian hamsters (n=34) infected with 3.5×10(4) or 10(5) blood trypomastigote Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain) forms and an uninfected control group (n=7) were investigated. After 6 or 10 months after the infection, the animals were submitted to in vivo evaluation of global and segmental left ventricular systolic function by echocardiography, followed by euthanasia and histological analysis for quantitative assessment of fibrosis and inflammation with tissue sampling in locations coinciding with the left ventricular wall segmentation employed at the in vivo echocardiographic evaluation. Ten of the 34 infected animals (29%) showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (<73%). Left ventricular ejection fraction was more negatively correlated with the intensity of inflammation (r=-0.63; P<0.0001) than with the extent of fibrosis (r=-0.36; P=0.036). Among the 24 animals with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (82.9±5.5%), 8 (33%) showed segmental WMA predominating in the apical, inferior, and posterolateral segments. The segments exhibiting WMA, in comparison to those with normal wall motion, showed a greater extent of fibrosis (9.3±5.7% and 7±6.3%, P<0.0001) and an even greater intensity of inflammation (218.0±111.6 and 124.5±84.8 nuclei/mm², P<0.0001). Isolated WMA with preserved global systolic left ventricular function is frequently found in Syrian hamsters with experimental chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy whose underlying histopathological features are mainly inflammatory. © 2016 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

  2. Oxytocin and cardioprotection in diabetes and obesity.

    PubMed

    Jankowski, Marek; Broderick, Tom L; Gutkowska, Jolanta

    2016-06-07

    Oxytocin (OT) emerges as a drug for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The entire OT system is synthesized in the rat and human heart. The direct myocardial infusion with OT into an ischemic or failing heart has the potential to elicit a variety of cardioprotective effects. OT treatment attenuates cardiomyocyte (CMs) death induced by ischemia-reperfusion by activating pro-survival pathways within injured CMs in vivo and in isolated cells. OT treatment reduces cardiac apoptosis, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. The OT/OT receptor (OTR) system is downregulated in the db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes which develops genetic diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) similar to human disease. We have shown that chronic OT treatment prevents the development of DC in the db/db mouse. In addition, OT stimulates glucose uptake in both cardiac stem cells and CMs, and increases cell resistance to diabetic conditions. OT may help replace lost CMs by stimulating the in situ differentiation of cardiac stem cells into functional mature CMs. Lastly, adult stem cells amenable for transplantation such as MSCs could be preconditioned with OT ex vivo and implanted into the injured heart to aid in tissue regeneration through direct differentiation, secretion of protective and cardiomyogenic factors and/or their fusion with injured CMs.

  3. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Athletes: Catching a Killer.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Maron, Barry J.

    1993-01-01

    A leading cause of sudden death among young athletes, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) does not always present cardiac signs and symptoms. Echocardiography offers the most effective means for diagnosis. Some patients require pharmaceutical or surgical intervention. Patients with HCM should not engage in organized competitive sports or…

  4. Dominant de novo DSP mutations cause erythrokeratodermia-cardiomyopathy syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Boyden, Lynn M.; Kam, Chen Y.; Hernández-Martín, Angela; Zhou, Jing; Craiglow, Brittany G.; Sidbury, Robert; Mathes, Erin F.; Maguiness, Sheilagh M.; Crumrine, Debra A.; Williams, Mary L.; Hu, Ronghua; Lifton, Richard P.; Elias, Peter M.; Green, Kathleen J.; Choate, Keith A.

    2016-01-01

    Disorders of keratinization (DOK) show marked genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. In most cases, disease is primarily cutaneous, and further clinical evaluation is therefore rarely pursued. We have identified subjects with a novel DOK featuring erythrokeratodermia and initially-asymptomatic, progressive, potentially fatal cardiomyopathy, a finding not previously associated with erythrokeratodermia. We show that de novo missense mutations clustered tightly within a single spectrin repeat of DSP cause this novel cardio-cutaneous disorder, which we term erythrokeratodermia-cardiomyopathy (EKC) syndrome. We demonstrate that DSP mutations in our EKC syndrome subjects affect localization of desmosomal proteins and connexin 43 in the skin, and result in desmosome aggregation, widening of intercellular spaces, and lipid secretory defects. DSP encodes desmoplakin, a primary component of desmosomes, intercellular adhesion junctions most abundant in the epidermis and heart. Though mutations in DSP are known to cause other disorders, our cohort features the unique clinical finding of severe whole-body erythrokeratodermia, with distinct effects on localization of desmosomal proteins and connexin 43. These findings add a severe, previously undescribed syndrome featuring erythrokeratodermia and cardiomyopathy to the spectrum of disease caused by mutation in DSP, and identify a specific region of the protein critical to the pathobiology of EKC syndrome and to DSP function in the heart and skin. PMID:26604139

  5. Ergotamine-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Ozpelit, Ebru; Ozpelit, Mehmet E; Akdeniz, Bahri; Göldeli, Özhan

    2016-01-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a recently increasing diagnosed disease showed by transient apical or mid-apical left ventricular dysfunction. It is known as a disease of postmenopausal women, which is usually triggered by emotional or physical stress. Although the trigger is mostly endogenous, some drugs have also been reported as the cause. Published case reports of TC associated with drug usage consist of sympathomimetic drugs, inotropic agents, thyroid hormone, cocaine, and 5-fluorouracil. We present an unusual case of TC in which the possible trigger is ergotamine toxicity.

  6. AMA0428, A Potent Rock Inhibitor, Attenuates Early and Late Experimental Diabetic Retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Hollanders, Karolien; Hove, Inge Van; Sergeys, Jurgen; Bergen, Tine Van; Lefevere, Evy; Kindt, Nele; Castermans, Karolien; Vandewalle, Evelien; van Pelt, Jos; Moons, Lieve; Stalmans, Ingeborg

    2017-02-01

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by an early stage of inflammation and vessel leakage, and an advanced vasoproliferative stage. Also, neurodegeneration might play an important role in disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AMA0428, on these processes. The response to ROCK inhibition by AMA0428 (1 µg) was studied in vivo using the murine model for streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, focusing on early non-proliferative DR features and the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model to investigate proliferative DR. Intravitreal (IVT) administration of AMA0428 was compared with murine anti-VEGF-R2 antibody (DC101, 6.2 µg) and placebo (H 2 O/PEG; 1C8). Outcome was assessed by analyzing leukostasis using fluorescein isothiocyanate coupled concanavalin A (FITC-ConA) and vessel leakage (bovine serum albumin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate; FITC-BSA)/neovascularization and neurodegeneration by immunohistological approaches (hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), Brn3a). ELISA and Western blotting were employed to unravel the consequences of ROCK inhibition (1 µM AMA0428) on myosin phosphatase target protein (MYPT)-1 phosphorylation, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in retinas of diabetic mice, on NF-κβ activity and ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells (ECs). In vivo, AMA0428 significantly reduced vessel leakage and neovascularization, respectively, in the STZ and OIR model, comparable to DC101 therapy. Additionally, the ROCK inhibitor decreased neurodegeneration in both models and inhibited leukostasis by 30% (p < 0.05) in the STZ model (p < 0.05), while DC101 had no positive effect on the outcome of these latter processes. ROCK activity was upregulated in the diabetic retina and AMA0428 administration resulted in

  7. Dietary Salt Exacerbates Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyopathy in Rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Spontaneously Hypertensive Heart Failure rats (SHHFs) take far longer to develop compensated heart failure and congestive decompensation than common surgical models of heart failure. Isoproterenol (ISO) infusion can accelerate cardiomyopathy in young SHHFs, while dietary salt loa...

  8. Mitochondrial Epigenetic Changes Link to Increased Diabetes Risk and Early-Stage Prediabetes Indicator

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Louise D.; Linarelli, Leah E.; Brooke, Joseph; Smith, Cayleen; Wall, Sarah S.; Greenawald, Mark H.; Seidel, Richard W.; Estabrooks, Paul A.; Almeida, Fabio A.; Cheng, Zhiyong

    2016-01-01

    Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by mitochondrial derangement and oxidative stress. With no known cure for T2D, it is critical to identify mitochondrial biomarkers for early diagnosis of prediabetes and disease prevention. Here we examined 87 participants on the diagnosis power of fasting glucose (FG) and hemoglobin A1c levels and investigated their interactions with mitochondrial DNA methylation. FG and A1c led to discordant diagnostic results irrespective of increased body mass index (BMI), underscoring the need of new biomarkers for prediabetes diagnosis. Mitochondrial DNA methylation levels were not correlated with late-stage (impaired FG or A1c) but significantly with early-stage (impaired insulin sensitivity) events. Quartiles of BMI suggested that mitochondrial DNA methylation increased drastically from Q1 (20 < BMI < 24.9, lean) to Q2 (30 < BMI < 34.9, obese), but marginally from Q2 to Q3 (35 < BMI < 39.9, severely obese) and from Q3 to Q4 (BMI > 40, morbidly obese). A significant change was also observed from Q1 to Q2 in HOMA insulin sensitivity but not in A1c or FG. Thus, mitochondrial epigenetic changes link to increased diabetes risk and the indicator of early-stage prediabetes. Further larger-scale studies to examine the potential of mitochondrial epigenetic marker in prediabetes diagnosis will be of critical importance for T2D prevention. PMID:27298712

  9. Factors associated with early cessation of breastfeeding in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Morrison, M K; Collins, C E; Lowe, J M; Giglia, R C

    2015-06-01

    To determine factors associated with early cessation of breastfeeding (≤ 3 months) in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A cross-sectional online survey of women aged ≥ 18 years, diagnosed with GDM in 2010 and registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme in Australia. The 59 questions examined breastfeeding duration, intention, attitudes, exclusivity and support. 738 women completed the survey (15% response rate). Data was analysed for 729 eligible respondents. Of these 97% reported 'ever' breastfeeding and 19% had breastfed for ≤ 3 months. Cessation of breastfeeding at or before 3 months was associated with breastfeeding problems at home [adjusted odds ratio 8.01, 95% confidence interval (4.57, 14.05)], return to work prior to three months [OR 3.39 (95% CI 1.53, 7.55)], inadequate breastfeeding support [OR 1.88 (95% CI 1.10, 3.22)], caesarean delivery [OR 1.70 (95% CI 1.04, 2.76)], low socioeconomic status (SEIFA 1 unit increase) [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.81, 0.97)] and BMI (2 unit increase) [OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.01, 1.57)]. Being married or de facto [OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.03, 0.62)] was a protective against early cessation of breastfeeding. Strategies to improve breastfeeding duration in women with GDM need to address those most at risk of early cessation and provide appropriate postpartum breastfeeding support in this group. Copyright © 2014 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Attenuation of Diabetes-induced Cardiac and Subcellular Defects by Sulphur-containing Amino Acids.

    PubMed

    Tappia, Paramjit S; Adameova, Adriana; Dhalla, Naranjan S

    2018-01-30

    Patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of mortality due to cardiovascular complications. Supplementation with specific sulphur-containing amino acids is rapidly emerging as a possible therapeutic adjuvant for diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications. It is well-known that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced cardiovascular disease, which is invariably associated with abnormal blood lipid profile, insulin resistance and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Cysteine and taurine are among the most common sulphur-containing amino acids and their cellular levels decline during diabetes that may contribute to the development of the cardiomyopathy. Although sulphur-containing agents exert multiple actions on cellular and subcellular functions in the heart, they also exhibit antioxidant properties and thus may exert beneficial effects in different pathophysiological conditions. It is concluded that reduction of oxidative stress by cysteine and taurine may serve as an important mechanism for the attenuation of diabetes-induced subcellular and functional abnormalities in the heart. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  11. Effects of Silymarin on Diabetes Mellitus Complications: A Review.

    PubMed

    Stolf, Aline Maria; Cardoso, Cibele Campos; Acco, Alexandra

    2017-03-01

    Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder that is caused by a deficit in the production of (type 1) or response to (type 2) insulin. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a state of chronic hyperglycemia and such symptoms as weight loss, thirst, polyuria, and blurred vision. These disturbances represent one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality nowadays, despite available treatments, such as insulin, insulin secretagogues, insulin sensitizers, and oral hypoglycemic agents. However, many efforts have been made to discover new drugs for diabetes treatment, including medicinal plant extracts. Silymarin is a powder extract of the seeds from Silybum marianum, a plant from the Asteraceae family. The major active ingredients include four isomers: silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, and silydianin. Silymarin is indicated for the treatment of hepatic disorders, such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and gallstones. Moreover, several studies of other pathologies, including diabetes, sepsis, osteoporosis, arthritis, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, viral infections, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, have tested the effects of silymarin and reported promising results. This article reviews data from clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies on the use of silymarin, with a focus on the complications of diabetes, including nephropathy, neuropathy, healing delays, oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, and cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  12. Osteopontin--a fibrosis-related marker--in dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.

    PubMed

    Niebroj-Dobosz, Irena; Madej-Pilarczyk, Agnieszka; Marchel, Michał; Sokołowska, Beata; Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz, Irena

    2011-12-01

    As osteopontin (OPN) may be assumed to have diagnostic/prognostic value in heart diseases, it is worth assessing whether it is also involved in the pathogenesis and can be applied in the diagnosis of the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD). Serum levels of osteopontin were quantified by means of sandwich immunoassay in 25 EDMD patients (10 laminopathies AD-EDMD and 15 emerinopathies--X-EDMD), eight carriers of X-EDMD, nine disease controls (patients with dystrophinopathy) and 20 age-matched healthy controls. The levels of circulating OPN were elevated in all AD-EDMD and X-linked EDMD patients, as well as in X-EDMD carriers and patients suffering progressive muscular dystrophy. There was no correlation between the osteopontin level and different cardiac parameters, including left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, the left ventricular ejection fraction and the CK-MB level. There was a slight negative correlation with the ages of the patients. The presented results indicate that assessments of circulating OPN levels may help to identify EDMD patients at risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and might be therefore included among the set of biomarkers referred to with a view to appropriate early cardiologic diagnosis and therapy being commenced with in time.

  13. Multiple Species Comparison of Cardiac Troponin T and Dystrophin: Unravelling the DNA behind Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    England, Jennifer; Loughna, Siobhan; Rutland, Catrin Sian

    2017-07-07

    Animals have frequently been used as models for human disorders and mutations. Following advances in genetic testing and treatment options, and the decreasing cost of these technologies in the clinic, mutations in both companion and commercial animals are now being investigated. A recent review highlighted the genes associated with both human and non-human dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac troponin T and dystrophin were observed to be associated with both human and turkey (troponin T) and canine (dystrophin) dilated cardiomyopathies. This review gives an overview of the work carried out in cardiac troponin T and dystrophin to date in both human and animal dilated cardiomyopathy.

  14. Newborn infant with maternal anti-SSA antibody-induced complete heart block accompanying cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Iida, Midori; Inamura, Noboru; Takeuchi, Makoto

    2006-01-01

    Newborn case of maternal anti-SSA antibody-induced congenital complete heart block (CCHB) accompanying cardiomyopathy is presented. Unexpectedly, she died of ventricular tachycardia, not bradycardia, 6 days after birth. Autopsy revealed left ventricular cardiomyopathy with endocardial fibroelastosis. Thus, when evaluating fetal cardiac performance in cases of maternal anti-SSA antibody-induced CCHB, it is necessary to pay attention to myocardial attributes such as endocardial hyperplasia.

  15. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor ameliorates early renal injury through its anti-inflammatory action in a rat model of type 1 diabetes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kodera, Ryo, E-mail: kodera@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp; Shikata, Kenichi; Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558

    Highlights: •DPP-4 inhibitor decreased urinary albumin excretion in a rat of type 1 diabetes. •DPP-4 inhibitor ameliorated histlogical changes of diabetic nephropathy. •DPP-4 inhibitor has reno-protective effects through anti-inflammatory action. •DPP-4 inhibitor is beneficial on diabetic nephropathy besides lowering blood glucose. -- Abstract: Introduction: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are incretin-based drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes. In our previous study, we showed that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist has reno-protective effects through anti-inflammatory action. The mechanism of action of DPP-4 inhibitor is different from that of GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is not obvious whether DPP-4 inhibitor prevents the exacerbationmore » of diabetic nephropathy through anti-inflammatory effects besides lowering blood glucose or not. The purpose of this study is to clarify the reno-protective effects of DPP-4 inhibitor through anti-inflammatory actions in the early diabetic nephropathy. Materials and methods: Five-week-old male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups; non-diabetes, diabetes and diabetes treated with DPP-4 inhibitor (PKF275-055; 3 mg/kg/day). PKF275-055 was administered orally for 8 weeks. Results: PKF275-055 increased the serum active GLP-1 concentration and the production of urinary cyclic AMP. PKF275-055 decreased urinary albumin excretion and ameliorated histological change of diabetic nephropathy. Macrophage infiltration was inhibited, and inflammatory molecules were down-regulated by PKF275-055 in the glomeruli. In addition, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity was suppressed in the kidney. Conclusions: These results indicate that DPP-4 inhibitor, PKF275-055, have reno-protective effects through anti-inflammatory action in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. The endogenous biological active GLP-1 might be beneficial on diabetic nephropathy besides lowering blood glucose.« less

  16. Urinary Glucose Screening for Early Detection of Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetes in Jeonbuk Province Korean Schoolchildren.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min Sun; Lee, Dae Yeol

    2017-06-01

    This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of glucosuria and the characteristics of diabetes in schoolchildren as detected by a school urine glucose screening program implemented from 2010 to 2013 in the Jeonbuk province area of Korea. A total of 110 children without known diabetes were analyzed. They were checked with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with other laboratory tests and their clinical data were collected. A total of 707,238 schoolchildren from a school population of 1,064,999 were screened for glucosuria. In total, over a 4-year period, 545 schoolchildren (0.077%) were positive for glucosuria on the second urine test. The prevalence of glucosuria was more common among middle and high schoolchildren than among elementary schoolchildren. Among 110 students who completed the OGTT to confirm diabetes, 40 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM); 39 children, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 1 child, slowly progressive insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (SPIDDM). The mean annual incidence of diabetes was 5.6 per 100,000 schoolchildren and adolescents. The subjects with diabetes diagnosed through the urine screening test showed minimal or no symptoms of diabetes. The students with diabetes were more likely to be woman and obese, and they have a higher body mass index, higher cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, C-peptide, and fasting glucosuria values than the students with normal glucose tolerance. We identified 40 new cases of diabetes in the Korean schoolchildren with asymptomatic glucosuria on urine glucose screening. This finding shows that school urine glucose screening is a feasible and simple method for early detection of asymptomatic T2DM. © 2017 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

  17. Urinary Glucose Screening for Early Detection of Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetes in Jeonbuk Province Korean Schoolchildren

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of glucosuria and the characteristics of diabetes in schoolchildren as detected by a school urine glucose screening program implemented from 2010 to 2013 in the Jeonbuk province area of Korea. A total of 110 children without known diabetes were analyzed. They were checked with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with other laboratory tests and their clinical data were collected. A total of 707,238 schoolchildren from a school population of 1,064,999 were screened for glucosuria. In total, over a 4-year period, 545 schoolchildren (0.077%) were positive for glucosuria on the second urine test. The prevalence of glucosuria was more common among middle and high schoolchildren than among elementary schoolchildren. Among 110 students who completed the OGTT to confirm diabetes, 40 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM); 39 children, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 1 child, slowly progressive insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (SPIDDM). The mean annual incidence of diabetes was 5.6 per 100,000 schoolchildren and adolescents. The subjects with diabetes diagnosed through the urine screening test showed minimal or no symptoms of diabetes. The students with diabetes were more likely to be woman and obese, and they have a higher body mass index, higher cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, C-peptide, and fasting glucosuria values than the students with normal glucose tolerance. We identified 40 new cases of diabetes in the Korean schoolchildren with asymptomatic glucosuria on urine glucose screening. This finding shows that school urine glucose screening is a feasible and simple method for early detection of asymptomatic T2DM. PMID:28480657

  18. Pressure-derived indices of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed Central

    Thompson, D S; Wilmshurst, P; Juul, S M; Waldron, C B; Jenkins, B S; Coltart, D J; Webb-Peploe, M M

    1983-01-01

    High fidelity measurements of left ventricular pressure were made at increasing pacing rates in 21 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a control group of 11 patients investigated for chest pain who proved to have normal hearts. In both groups the fall in pressure during isovolumic relaxation from the point of min dp/dt approximated closely to a monoexponential, and could be described by a time constant and asymptote. The time constant shortened and the asymptote increased as heart rate rose in both groups. The time constant was longer and min dp/dt less in the cardiomyopathy group than controls at all heart rates. In the cardiomyopathy patients min dp/dt, but not the time constant, was related to systolic pressure. During pacing, eight cardiomyopathy patients developed metabolic evidence of myocardial ischaemia, but indices of relaxation did not differ between these eight and the other 13 either at basal heart rate or the highest pacing rate. In 10 cardiomyopathy patients measurements were repeated at comparable pacing rates after propranolol (0.2 mg/kg). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and indices of contractility decreased after the drug, but the time constant did not change. Eight patients received verapamil (20 mg) after which there were substantial reductions in systolic pressure and contractility. Min dp/dt decreased in proportion to systolic pressure, but the time constant was unchanged. At the highest pacing rate before drug administration three patients had abnormal lactate extraction which was corrected by either propranolol (one patient) or verapamil (two patients). Despite abolition of metabolic evidence of ischaemia, relaxation did not improve. It is concluded that abnormal isovolumic relaxation is common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but its severity correlates poorly with other features of the disease. Abnormal relaxation is not the result of ischaemia, and pressure derived indices of relaxation do not improve after

  19. Canine candidate genes for dilated cardiomyopathy: annotation of and polymorphic markers for 14 genes.

    PubMed

    Wiersma, Anje C; Leegwater, Peter Aj; van Oost, Bernard A; Ollier, William E; Dukes-McEwan, Joanna

    2007-10-19

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease occurring in humans and domestic animals and is characterized by dilatation of the left ventricle, reduced systolic function and increased sphericity of the left ventricle. Dilated cardiomyopathy has been observed in several, mostly large and giant, dog breeds, such as the Dobermann and the Great Dane. A number of genes have been identified, which are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in the human, mouse and hamster. These genes mainly encode structural proteins of the cardiac myocyte. We present the annotation of, and marker development for, 14 of these genes of the dog genome, i.e. alpha-cardiac actin, caveolin 1, cysteine-rich protein 3, desmin, lamin A/C, LIM-domain binding factor 3, myosin heavy polypeptide 7, phospholamban, sarcoglycan delta, titin cap, alpha-tropomyosin, troponin I, troponin T and vinculin. A total of 33 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms were identified for these canine genes and 11 polymorphic microsatellite repeats were developed. The presented polymorphisms provide a tool to investigate the role of the corresponding genes in canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy by linkage analysis or association studies.

  20. Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement in specific cardiomyopathies by cardiovascular magnetic resonance: a preliminary experience.

    PubMed

    Silva, Caterina; Moon, James C; Elkington, Andrew G; John, Anna S; Mohiaddin, Raad H; Pennell, Dudley J

    2007-12-01

    Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can visualize myocardial interstitial abnormalities. The aim of this study was to assess whether regions of abnormal myocardium can also be visualized by late enhancement gadolinium CMR in the specific cardiomyopathies. A retrospective review of all referrals for gadolinium CMR with specific cardiomyopathy over 20 months. Nine patients with different specific cardiomyopathies were identified. Late enhancement was demonstrated in all patients, with a mean signal intensity of 390 +/- 220% compared with normal regions. The distribution pattern of late enhancement was unlike the subendocardial late enhancement related to coronary territories found in myocardial infarction. The affected areas included papillary muscles (sarcoid), the mid-myocardium (Anderson-Fabry disease, glycogen storage disease, myocarditis, Becker muscular dystrophy) and the global sub-endocardium (systemic sclerosis, Loeffler's endocarditis, amyloid, Churg-Strauss). Focal myocardial late gadolinium enhancement is found in the specific cardiomyopathies, and the pattern is distinct from that seen in infarction. Further systematic studies are warranted to assess whether the pattern and extent of late enhancement may aid diagnosis and prognostic assessment.

  1. [Spongy cardiomyopathy in an elderly woman. Echocardiographic description].

    PubMed

    Canale, Jesús; Cortés Lawrenz, Jorge; Moreno Valenzuela, Francisco Germán

    2005-01-01

    Isolated left ventricular noncompaction, also known as spongy myocardium or spongy cardiomyopathy, is a recently described congenital disease caused by an arrest in the left ventricular myocardial embriogenesis that makes the ventricular wall to persist thickened with multiple trabecular formations and deep sinusoidal recesses. It is clinically characterized by heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and systemic embolic events. Most of the affected subjects are detected during childhood or adolescence, others in the adult life but very few elderly patients have been reported in the worldwide medical literature. We here report the case of a 75-year-old woman that is one of the oldest patients ever reported, whose clinical picture and echocardiographic findings are typical of this modality of cardiomyopathy. We do comments on this case in regard to the most relevant facts that appear in the limited medical literature about this interesting disease.

  2. Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy of Heart Failure in Genetic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Yamada, Satsuki; Nelson, Timothy J.; Crespo-Diaz, Ruben J.; Perez-Terzic, Carmen; Liu, Xiao-Ke; Miki, Takashi; Seino, Susumu; Behfar, Atta; Terzic, Andre

    2009-01-01

    Pathogenic causes underlying nonischemic cardiomyopathies are increasingly being resolved, yet repair therapies for these commonly heritable forms of heart failure are lacking. A case in point is human dilated cardiomyopathy 10 (CMD10; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #608569), a progressive organ dysfunction syndrome refractory to conventional therapies and linked to mutations in cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel sub-units. Embryonic stem cell therapy demonstrates benefit in ischemic heart disease, but the reparative capacity of this allogeneic regenerative cell source has not been tested in inherited cardiomyopathy. Here, in a Kir6.2-knockout model lacking functional KATP channels, we recapitulated under the imposed stress of pressure overload the gene-environment substrate of CMD10. Salient features of the human malignant heart failure phenotype were reproduced, including compromised contractility, ventricular dilatation, and poor survival. Embryonic stem cells were delivered through the epicardial route into the left ventricular wall of cardiomyopathic stressed Kir6.2-null mutants. At 1 month of therapy, transplantation of 200,000 cells per heart achieved teratoma-free reversal of systolic dysfunction and electrical synchronization and halted maladaptive remodeling, thereby preventing end-stage organ failure. Tracked using the lacZ reporter transgene, stem cells engrafted into host heart. Beyond formation of cardiac tissue positive for Kir6.2, transplantation induced cell cycle activation and halved fibrotic zones, normalizing sarcomeric and gap junction organization within remuscularized hearts. Improved systemic function induced by stem cell therapy translated into increased stamina, absence of anasarca, and benefit to overall survivorship. Embryonic stem cells thus achieve functional repair in nonischemic genetic cardiomyopathy, expanding indications to the therapy of heritable heart failure. PMID:18669912

  3. Neuregulin-1/erbB-activation improves cardiac function and survival in models of ischemic, dilated, and viral cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xifu; Gu, Xinhua; Li, Zhaoming; Li, Xinyan; Li, Hui; Chang, Jianjie; Chen, Ping; Jin, Jing; Xi, Bing; Chen, Denghong; Lai, Donna; Graham, Robert M; Zhou, Mingdong

    2006-10-03

    We evaluated the therapeutic potential of a recombinant 61-residue neuregulin-1 (beta2a isoform) receptor-active peptide (rhNRG-1) in multiple animal models of heart disease. Activation of the erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases by rhNRG-1 could provide a treatment option for heart failure, because neuregulin-stimulated erbB2/erbB4 heterodimerization is not only critical for myocardium formation in early heart development but prevents severe dysfunction of the adult heart and premature death. Disabled erbB-signaling is also implicated in the transition from compensatory hypertrophy to failure, whereas erbB receptor-activation promotes myocardial cell growth and survival and protects against anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy. rhNRG-1 was administered IV to animal models of ischemic, dilated, and viral cardiomyopathy, and cardiac function and survival were evaluated. Short-term intravenous administration of rhNRG-1 to normal dogs and rats did not alter hemodynamics or cardiac contractility. In contrast, rhNRG-1 improved cardiac performance, attenuated pathological changes, and prolonged survival in rodent models of ischemic, dilated, and viral cardiomyopathy, with the survival benefits in the ischemic model being additive to those of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy. In addition, despite continued pacing, rhNRG-1 produced global improvements in cardiac function in a canine model of pacing-induced heart failure. These beneficial effects make rhNRG-1 promising as a broad-spectrum therapeutic for the treatment of heart failure due to a variety of common cardiac diseases.

  4. Delayed-enhanced cardiac MRI for differentiation of Fabry's disease from symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    De Cobelli, Francesco; Esposito, Antonio; Belloni, Elena; Pieroni, Maurizio; Perseghin, Gianluca; Chimenti, Cristina; Frustaci, Andrea; Del Maschio, Alessandro

    2009-03-01

    Fabry's disease may be difficult to differentiate from symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Our aim was to compare the myocardial location and distribution patterns of delayed enhancement between patients with Fabry's disease who are affected by symmetric myocardial hypertrophy and patients with symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in order to identify a specific sign to best differentiate the two diseases. Patients with Fabry's disease-related hypertrophy showed left ventricular (LV) delayed enhancement with a typical and consistently found pattern characterized by the involvement of the inferolateral basal or mid basal segments and a mesocardial distribution that spared the subendocardium. This pattern seems to be specific to Fabry's disease; in fact, patients with symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had variable locations and distributions of delayed enhancement. These observations may contribute to identifying Fabry's disease as a specific cause of symmetric hypertrophy.

  5. Comprehensive Metabolomics Study To Assess Longitudinal Biochemical Changes and Potential Early Biomarkers in Nonobese Diabetic Mice That Progress to Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Buchwald, Peter; Tamayo-Garcia, Alejandro; Ramamoorthy, Sivapriya; Garcia-Contreras, Marta; Mendez, Armando J; Ricordi, Camillo

    2017-10-06

    A global nontargeted longitudinal metabolomics study was carried out in male and female NOD mice to characterize the time-profile of the changes in the metabolic signature caused by onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and identify possible early biomarkers in T1D progressors. Metabolomics profiling of samples collected at five different time-points identified 676 and 706 biochemicals in blood and feces, respectively. Several metabolites were expressed at significantly different levels in progressors at all time-points, and their proportion increased strongly following onset of hyperglycemia. At the last time-point, when all progressors were diabetic, a large percentage of metabolites had significantly different levels: 57.8% in blood and 27.8% in feces. Metabolic pathways most strongly affected included the carbohydrate, lipid, branched-chain amino acid, and oxidative ones. Several biochemicals showed considerable (>4×) change. Maltose, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, and kojibiose increased, while 1,5-anhydroglucitol decreased more than 10-fold. At the earliest time-point (6-week), differences between the metabolic signatures of progressors and nonprogressors were relatively modest. Nevertheless, several compounds had significantly different levels and show promise as possible early T1D biomarkers. They include fatty acid phosphocholine derivatives from the phosphatidylcholine subpathway (elevated in both blood and feces) as well as serotonin, ribose, and arabinose (increased) in blood plus 13-HODE, tocopherol (increased), diaminopimelate, valerate, hydroxymethylpyrimidine, and dulcitol (decreased) in feces. A combined metabolic signature based on these compounds might serve as an early predictor of T1D-progressors.

  6. Diabetes-related heart failure.

    PubMed

    Bando, Yasuko K; Murohara, Toyoaki

    2014-01-01

    As the link between heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) becomes unignorable, so the need is further increasing for pathological comprehension: What is "diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMC)?" In response to current concern, the most updated guidelines stated by the ACCF/AHA and by the ESC/EASD take one step further, including the definition of DMC, although it is a matter yet to be completed. For more than 40 years, coronary artery disease and hypertension have been considered as the main causes of diabetes-related cardiac dysfunction. HF was originally considered as a result of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HF-REF); however, it has been recognized that HF symptoms are often observed in patients with preserved EF (HF-PEF). DMC includes HF with both reduced and preserved entities independent of coronary stenosis and hypertension. Cardiologists are thus facing a sort of chaos without clear guidelines for the "deadly intersection" of DM and HF. Today, the increasing interest and concern have caused DMC to be revisited and the first step in controlling the chaos around DMC is to organize and analyze all of the available evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. This review aims to illustrate the current concepts of DMC by shedding light on the new molecular mechanisms.  (Circ J 2014; 78: 576-583).

  7. Comparison of digital color fundus imaging and fluorescein angiographic findings for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy in young type 1 diabetic patients.

    PubMed

    Kapsala, Z; Anastasakis, A; Mamoulakis, D; Maniadaki, I; Tsilimbaris, M

    2018-01-01

    To compare the findings from digital 7-field color fundus (CF) photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in young patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 without known diabetic retinopathy. In this prospective, observational cohort study, 54 type 1 diabetic patients were recruited. Participants had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) for at least 6 years, had Best Corrected Visual Acuity of 20/25 or better and did not have any known retinal pathology. One hundred and seven eyes were analyzed. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination in the Retina Service of a University Eye Clinic including digital CF imaging and FFA. The mean age of the patients was 18.6 years. Mean duration of DM was 11.3 years, and mean haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was 8.6%. Of the 107 eyes, 8 eyes (7.5%) showed microvascular abnormalities on CF images, while FFA images revealed changes in 26 eyes (24.3%). Hence, 18 of the 26 eyes showing abnormalities on FFA did not show any abnormalities on CF images. Mean DM duration in the patient group with detectable microvascular changes was found to be significantly higher compared to patients without changes, while no difference in HbA1c levels, serum lipid levels or blood pressure was observed. Comparison of digital CF and FFA findings for the detection of diabetic microvascular changes in type 1 diabetic patients showed that FFA reveals more information about retinal vascular pathology for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  8. Advanced Gene Therapy for Treatment of Cardiomyopathy and Respiratory Insufficiency in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-09-01

    TITLE: Advanced Gene Therapy for Treatment of Cardiomyopathy and Respiratory Insufficiency in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy PRINCIPAL...Advanced Gene Therapy for Treatment of Cardiomyopathy and Respiratory Insufficiency in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT...effective recombinant AAV vector serotype 9 delivery system for the treatment of cardiorespiratory dysfunction in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy . 2

  9. Neonatal Hairy Ear Pinnae and Gestational Diabetes: Just a Coincidence?

    PubMed

    Valerio, Enrico; Riello, Laura; Chirico, Michela; Semenzato, Rossella; Cutrone, Mario

    2015-01-01

    A newborn girl of 36 weeks gestation was noted to have several anomalies, including bilateral low ear attachment with ear pinnae hypertrichosis, left preauricular pit, micrognathia, short lingual frenulum, and short neck. Pregnancy history revealed poorly controlled maternal gestational diabetes (GD). Localized hypertrichosis of the ear pinnae may represent a potential marker of GD and thereby alert physicians to suspect other potentially GD-associated conditions such as macrosomia, asphyxia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, polycythemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and congenital anomalies, particularly those involving the central nervous system. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Triheptanoin Treatment in Patients with Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Associated with Long Chain-Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders

    PubMed Central

    Vockley, J; Charrow, J; Ganesh, J; Eswara, M; Diaz, GA; McCracken, E; Conway, R; Enns, GM; Starr, J; Wang, R; Abdenur, JE.; Sanchez-de-Toledo, J; Marsden, DL

    2016-01-01

    Long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD) can cause cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy, often presenting in infancy, typically leading to death or heart transplant despite ongoing treatment. Previous data on triheptanoin treatment of cardiomyopathy in LC-FAOD suggested a clinical benefit on heart function during acute failure. An additional series of LC-FAOD patients with critical emergencies associated with cardiomyopathy were treated with triheptanoin under emergency treatment or compassionate use protocols. Case reports from 10 patients (8 infants) with moderate or severe cardiomyopathy associated with LC-FAOD are summarized. The majority of these patients were detected by newborn screening, with follow up confirmatory testing, including mutation analysis; all patients were managed with standard treatment, including medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. While on this regimen, they presented with acute heart failure requiring hospitalization and cardiac support (ventilation, ECMO, vasopressors) and, in some cases, resuscitation. The patients discontinued MCT oil and began treatment with triheptanoin, an investigational drug. Triheptanoin is expected to provide anaplerotic metabolites, to replace deficient TCA cycle intermediates and improve effective energy metabolism. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography and ejection fraction (EF) was assessed. EF was moderately to severely impaired prior to triheptanoin treatment, ranging from 12–45%. Improvements in EF began between 2 and 21 days following initiation of triheptanoin, and peaked at 33–71%, with 9 of 10 patients achieving EF in the normal range. Continued treatment was associated with longer-term stabilization of clinical signs of cardiomyopathy. The most common adverse event observed was gastrointestinal distress. Of the 10 patients, 7 have continued on treatment, 1 elected to discontinue due to tolerability issues, and 2 patients died from other causes. Two of the case histories

  11. Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Hereditary Bullous Epidermolysis.

    PubMed

    Batalla, A; Vicente, A; Bartrons, J; Prada, F; Fortuny, C; González-Enseñat, M A

    In recent decades, an association has been reported between epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DC). DC is typically in an advanced phase when detected, leading to a poorer prognosis. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of DC in patients with EB seen in Hospital San Joan de Déu in Barcelona, Spain, between May 1986 and April 2015. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional chart-review study in which we recorded the type and main subtypes of EB and the presence or absence of DC. Fifty-seven patients with EB were found, 19 with EB simplex, 10 with junctional EB, 27 with dystrophic EB (14 dominant dystrophic and 13 recessive dystrophic), and just 1 with Kindler syndrome. DC was detected in only 2 patients with recessive dystrophic EB. Twenty-three patients had presented factors that could have had a causal relationship with the potential onset of DC. DC is a possible complication of EB, particularly in recessive dystrophic EB. Periodic follow-up should be performed to make an early diagnosis and start treatment. Copyright © 2017 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  12. Azilsartan ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy in young db/db mice through the modulation of ACE-2/ANG 1-7/Mas receptor cascade.

    PubMed

    Sukumaran, Vijayakumar; Tsuchimochi, Hirotsugu; Tatsumi, Eisuke; Shirai, Mikiyasu; Pearson, James T

    2017-11-15

    Hyperglycemia up-regulates intracellular angiotensin II (ANG-II) production in cardiac myocytes. This study investigated the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of azilsartan (AZL) treatment in a mouse model of diabetic cardiomyopathy and whether the cardioprotective effects of AZL are mediated by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-2/ANG 1-7/Mas receptor (R) cascade. Control db/+ and db/db mice (n=5 per group) were treated with vehicle or AZL (1 or 3mg/kg/d oral gavage) from the age of 8 to 16weeks. Echocardiography was then performed and myocardial protein levels of ACE-2, Mas R, AT 1 R, AT 2 R, osteopontin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and nitrotyrosine were measured by Western blotting. Oxidative DNA damage and inflammatory markers were assessed by immunofluorescence of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Compared with db/+ mice, the vehicle-treated db/db mice developed obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and diastolic dysfunction along with cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. AZL treatment lowered blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and reduced peak plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test. AZL-3 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of cytokines, oxidative DNA damage and cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, AZL-3 treatment significantly abrogated the downregulation of ACE-2 and Mas R protein levels in db/db mice. Furthermore, AZL treatment significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy and their marker molecules (osteopontin, CTGF, TGF-β1 and ANP). Short-term treatment with AZL-3 reversed abnormal cardiac structural remodeling and partially improved glucose metabolism in db/db mice by modulating the ACE-2/ANG 1-7/Mas R pathway. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Intravitreal injection of exendin-4 analogue protects retinal cells in early diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Jingfa; Wang, Qingping; Lei, Xia; Chu, Qing; Xu, Guo-Tong; Ye, Wen

    2011-01-05

    To evaluate the protective effect of intravitreal injection of exendin-4 analogue (E4a) in early diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to explore its possible mechanism. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal (N), diabetic (D), and E4a-treated diabetic rats (E4a). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Rats in the E4a group were treated with E4a (0.1 μg/2μL/eye), whereas the N and D groups were treated with the equivalent volume of normal saline. Electroretinography was performed at 1 month and 3 months after diabetes onset. Thicknesses and cell counts in each layer of the retina were evaluated. The concentration of glutamate was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Expressions of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and GLAST (excitatory amino acid transporter) were detected at mRNA and protein levels and verified by immunohistochemistry in vitro and in vivo. The rMc-1 cells were cultured under high-glucose medium (25 mM), which mimicked diabetic conditions. Effects of E4a (10 μg/mL) were also tested in the rMc-1 culture system. E4a prevented the reduction in b-wave amplitude and oscillatory potential amplitude caused by diabetes. It also prevented the cell loss of outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer; the thickness and cell count in the outer nuclear layer were decreased in 1-month diabetic rats. The concentration of glutamate in the retina was higher in diabetic rats and was significantly reduced in the E4a-treated group. Consistent with such changes, retinal GLP-1R and GLAST expression were reduced in the diabetic retina but upregulated in E4a-treated rats. No improvement was found in the retina in both functional and morphologic parameters 3 months after treatment. Intravitreal administration of E4a can prevent the retina, functionally and morphologically, from the insults of diabetes in rats. GLP-1R and GLAST were proved to exist in the rat retina, and their lowered expressions in the diabetic retina

  14. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Practical Steps for Preventing Sudden Death.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Maron, Barry J.

    2002-01-01

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a rare cause of death among athletes, with deaths occurring in young, apparently healthy people. Differentiating HCM from conditioning hypertrophy is challenging. Routine detection involves family history, physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Keys to differential diagnosis include…

  15. Concomitant alteration in number and affinity of P2X and muscarinic receptors are associated with bladder dysfunction in early stage of diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Yoshizawa, Tsuyoshi; Hayashi, Yukio; Yoshida, Akira; Yoshida, Shohei; Ito, Yoshihiko; Yamaguchi, Kenya; Yamada, Shizuo; Takahashi, Satoru

    2018-03-01

    To investigate time course of bladder dysfunction and concurrent changes in number and affinity of the muscarinic and P 2 X receptor in the early stage of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were prepared by the intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of STZ to 7-week-old female Wistar rats. We performed recording of 24-h voiding behavior and cystometry at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the induction of diabetes. A muscle strip experiments with electrical field stimulation (EFS), carbachol, and α,β-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (α,β-MeATP) were also performed at the same time-points. Additionally, concurrent changes in number and affinity of bladder muscarinic and P 2 X receptor were measured by a radioreceptor assay using [N-methyl- 3 H] scopolamine methyl chloride ([ 3 H]NMS) and α,β-methylene-ATP (2,8- 3 H) tetrasodium salt ([ 3 H]α,β-MeATP). In STZ-induced diabetic rats, polydipsic polyuric pollakiuria were noted on recording of 24-h voiding behavior from early stage. Also, the residual urine volume markedly increased in diabetic rats on cystometry. In the muscle strip experiment, the detrusor contractions induced by EFS, carbachol, and α,β-MeATP were enhanced in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Based on the radioreceptor assay, the maximum number of sites (Bmax) for the specific binding of [ 3 H]NMS and [ 3 H]α,β-MeATP was concurrently increased in the bladder from diabetic rats. Increased bladder contractility is found in early stage of diabetic rats. Then, bladder dysfunction is associated with increased number of muscarinic and P 2 X receptors in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

  16. Biomarkers in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected and uninfected individuals with varying severity of cardiomyopathy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

    PubMed

    Okamoto, Emi E; Sherbuk, Jacqueline E; Clark, Eva H; Marks, Morgan A; Gandarilla, Omar; Galdos-Cardenas, Gerson; Vasquez-Villar, Angel; Choi, Jeong; Crawford, Thomas C; Do, Rose Q; Q, Rose; Fernandez, Antonio B; Colanzi, Rony; Flores-Franco, Jorge Luis; Gilman, Robert H; Bern, Caryn

    2014-10-01

    Twenty to thirty percent of persons with Trypanosoma cruzi infection eventually develop cardiomyopathy. If an early indicator were to be identified and validated in longitudinal studies, this could enable treatment to be prioritized for those at highest risk. We evaluated cardiac and extracellular matrix remodeling markers across cardiac stages in T. cruzi infected (Tc+) and uninfected (Tc-) individuals. Participants were recruited in a public hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and assigned cardiac severity stages by electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. BNP, NTproBNP, CKMB, troponin I, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TGFb1, and TGFb2 were measured in specimens from 265 individuals using multiplex bead systems. Biomarker levels were compared between Tc+ and Tc- groups, and across cardiac stages. Receivers operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created; for markers with area under curve>0.60, logistic regression was performed. Analyses stratified by cardiac stage showed no significant differences in biomarker levels by Tc infection status. Among Tc+ individuals, those with cardiac insufficiency had higher levels of BNP, NTproBNP, troponin I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 than those with normal ejection fraction and left ventricular diameter. No individual marker distinguished between the two earliest Tc+ stages, but in ROC-based analyses, MMP-2/MMP-9 ratio was significantly higher in those with than those without ECG abnormalities. BNP, NTproBNP, troponin I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 levels rose with increasing severity stage but did not distinguish between Chagas cardiomyopathy and other cardiomyopathies. Among Tc+ individuals without cardiac insufficiency, only the MMP-2/MMP-9 ratio differed between those with and without ECG changes.

  17. Biomarkers in Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected and Uninfected Individuals with Varying Severity of Cardiomyopathy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

    PubMed Central

    Clark, Eva H.; Marks, Morgan A.; Gandarilla, Omar; Galdos-Cardenas, Gerson; Vasquez-Villar, Angel; Choi, Jeong; Crawford, Thomas C.; Q., Rose; Fernandez, Antonio B.; Colanzi, Rony; Flores-Franco, Jorge Luis; Gilman, Robert H.; Bern, Caryn

    2014-01-01

    Background Twenty to thirty percent of persons with Trypanosoma cruzi infection eventually develop cardiomyopathy. If an early indicator were to be identified and validated in longitudinal studies, this could enable treatment to be prioritized for those at highest risk. We evaluated cardiac and extracellular matrix remodeling markers across cardiac stages in T. cruzi infected (Tc+) and uninfected (Tc−) individuals. Methods Participants were recruited in a public hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and assigned cardiac severity stages by electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. BNP, NTproBNP, CKMB, troponin I, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TGFb1, and TGFb2 were measured in specimens from 265 individuals using multiplex bead systems. Biomarker levels were compared between Tc+ and Tc− groups, and across cardiac stages. Receivers operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created; for markers with area under curve>0.60, logistic regression was performed. Results Analyses stratified by cardiac stage showed no significant differences in biomarker levels by Tc infection status. Among Tc+ individuals, those with cardiac insufficiency had higher levels of BNP, NTproBNP, troponin I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 than those with normal ejection fraction and left ventricular diameter. No individual marker distinguished between the two earliest Tc+ stages, but in ROC-based analyses, MMP-2/MMP-9 ratio was significantly higher in those with than those without ECG abnormalities. Conclusions BNP, NTproBNP, troponin I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 levels rose with increasing severity stage but did not distinguish between Chagas cardiomyopathy and other cardiomyopathies. Among Tc+ individuals without cardiac insufficiency, only the MMP-2/MMP-9 ratio differed between those with and without ECG changes. PMID:25275382

  18. Cognitive Machine-Learning Algorithm for Cardiac Imaging: A Pilot Study for Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis From Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Sengupta, Partho P; Huang, Yen-Min; Bansal, Manish; Ashrafi, Ali; Fisher, Matt; Shameer, Khader; Gall, Walt; Dudley, Joel T

    2016-06-01

    Associating a patient's profile with the memories of prototypical patients built through previous repeat clinical experience is a key process in clinical judgment. We hypothesized that a similar process using a cognitive computing tool would be well suited for learning and recalling multidimensional attributes of speckle tracking echocardiography data sets derived from patients with known constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Clinical and echocardiographic data of 50 patients with constrictive pericarditis and 44 with restrictive cardiomyopathy were used for developing an associative memory classifier-based machine-learning algorithm. The speckle tracking echocardiography data were normalized in reference to 47 controls with no structural heart disease, and the diagnostic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the associative memory classifier was evaluated for differentiating constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy. Using only speckle tracking echocardiography variables, associative memory classifier achieved a diagnostic area under the curve of 89.2%, which improved to 96.2% with addition of 4 echocardiographic variables. In comparison, the area under the curve of early diastolic mitral annular velocity and left ventricular longitudinal strain were 82.1% and 63.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the associative memory classifier demonstrated greater accuracy and shorter learning curves than other machine-learning approaches, with accuracy asymptotically approaching 90% after a training fraction of 0.3 and remaining flat at higher training fractions. This study demonstrates feasibility of a cognitive machine-learning approach for learning and recalling patterns observed during echocardiographic evaluations. Incorporation of machine-learning algorithms in cardiac imaging may aid standardized assessments and support the quality of interpretations, particularly for novice readers with limited experience. © 2016

  19. Urinary N-terminal fragment of titin is a marker to diagnose muscular dystrophy in patients with cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Yoshihisa, Akiomi; Kiko, Takatoyo; Sato, Takamasa; Oikawa, Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Atsushi; Takeishi, Yasuchika

    2018-06-02

    The differential diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is important. It has been recently reported that urinary titin N (U-TN) is increased in patients with muscular dystrophy (MD), and is associated with muscular damage. We aimed to clarify whether U-TN is useful as a diagnostic tool for distinguishing MD from various cardiomyopathies [e.g. dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)]. We measured and compared the U-TN/creatinine ratio (U-TN/Cr; pmol/mg/dl) in 278 control subjects and 331 patients with various cardiomyopathies (DCM, n = 199; sarcoidosis, n = 18; HCM, n = 86; amyloidosis, n = 15; Fabry disease, n = 6; MD, n = 7). The U-TN/Cr was significantly higher in MD patients than in patients with various cardiomyopathies and the control subjects (P < 0.001). From the ROC analysis, the U-TN/Cr (with a cut-off value of 8.7) identified MD with 100% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.98, P < 0.001). The AUC of the U-TN/Cr that was able to predict MD was superior to those of U-TN, creatinine kinase, B-type natriuretic peptide, and troponin I. Urinary Titin-N is a novel marker to diagnose MD. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and incident type 2 diabetes risk: the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

    PubMed

    Park, Juri; Kim, Jin-Seok; Kim, Seong Hwan; Kim, Sunwon; Lim, Sang Yup; Lim, Hong-Euy; Cho, Goo-Yeong; Sung, Ki-Chul; Kim, Jang-Young; Baik, Inkyung; Koh, Kwang Kon; Lee, Jung Bok; Lee, Seung Ku; Shin, Chol

    2017-03-14

    Subclinical left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common finding and represents an early sign of diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the relationship between LV diastolic dysfunction and the incident T2D has not been previously studied. A total of 1817 non-diabetic participants (mean age, 54 years; 48% men) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study who were free of cardiovascular disease were studied. LV structure and function were assessed by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction was defined using age-specific cutoff limits for early diastolic (Em) velocity, mitral E/Em ratio, and left atrial volume index. During the 6-year follow-up period, 273 participants (15%) developed T2D. Participants with incident T2D had greater LV mass index (86.7 ± 16.4 vs. 91.2 ± 17.0 g/m 2 ), worse diastolic function, reflected by lower Em velocity (7.67 ± 1.80 vs. 7.47 ± 1.70) and higher E/Em ratio (9.19 ± 2.55 vs. 10.23 ± 3.00), and higher prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction (34.6 vs. 54.2%), compared with those who did not develop T2D (all P < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, lower Em velocity (odd ratio [OR], 0.867; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.786-0.957) and the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction (OR, 1.617; 95% CI 1.191-2.196) were associated with the development of T2D, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. In a community-based cohort, the presence of subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction was a predictor of the progression to T2D. These data suggest that the echocardiographic assessment of LV diastolic function may be helpful in identifying non-diabetic subjects at risk of incident T2D.

  1. Multiple Species Comparison of Cardiac Troponin T and Dystrophin: Unravelling the DNA behind Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    England, Jennifer

    2017-01-01

    Animals have frequently been used as models for human disorders and mutations. Following advances in genetic testing and treatment options, and the decreasing cost of these technologies in the clinic, mutations in both companion and commercial animals are now being investigated. A recent review highlighted the genes associated with both human and non-human dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac troponin T and dystrophin were observed to be associated with both human and turkey (troponin T) and canine (dystrophin) dilated cardiomyopathies. This review gives an overview of the work carried out in cardiac troponin T and dystrophin to date in both human and animal dilated cardiomyopathy. PMID:29367539

  2. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with involvement of delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury after rosuvastatin treatment.

    PubMed

    Kamada, Tomohito; Hayashi, Mutsuharu; Yokoi, Hiroatsu; Fujiwara, Wakaya; Yoshikawa, Daiji; Mukaide, Daisuke; Sugishita, Yoshinori; Yoshinaga, Masataka; Ito, Takehiro; Ozaki, Yukio; Izawa, Hideo

    2015-01-01

    Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a disorder characterized by left ventricular apical ballooning with preceding emotional and/or physical stressors. This condition is also an important differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. We herein describe a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a significant clinical phenomenon, triggered by delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis following the administration of long-term statin treatment, without any preceding stressors or changes in the patient's medical condition, in association with complaints of non-specific muscle-related symptoms. Although an electrocardiogram showed remarkable ST-segment elevation, a careful reading of the electrocardiogram findings revealed the features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Withdrawing the statin therapy improved the patient's cardiac function.

  3. Dominant de novo DSP mutations cause erythrokeratodermia-cardiomyopathy syndrome.

    PubMed

    Boyden, Lynn M; Kam, Chen Y; Hernández-Martín, Angela; Zhou, Jing; Craiglow, Brittany G; Sidbury, Robert; Mathes, Erin F; Maguiness, Sheilagh M; Crumrine, Debra A; Williams, Mary L; Hu, Ronghua; Lifton, Richard P; Elias, Peter M; Green, Kathleen J; Choate, Keith A

    2016-01-15

    Disorders of keratinization (DOK) show marked genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. In most cases, disease is primarily cutaneous, and further clinical evaluation is therefore rarely pursued. We have identified subjects with a novel DOK featuring erythrokeratodermia and initially-asymptomatic, progressive, potentially fatal cardiomyopathy, a finding not previously associated with erythrokeratodermia. We show that de novo missense mutations clustered tightly within a single spectrin repeat of DSP cause this novel cardio-cutaneous disorder, which we term erythrokeratodermia-cardiomyopathy (EKC) syndrome. We demonstrate that DSP mutations in our EKC syndrome subjects affect localization of desmosomal proteins and connexin 43 in the skin, and result in desmosome aggregation, widening of intercellular spaces, and lipid secretory defects. DSP encodes desmoplakin, a primary component of desmosomes, intercellular adhesion junctions most abundant in the epidermis and heart. Though mutations in DSP are known to cause other disorders, our cohort features the unique clinical finding of severe whole-body erythrokeratodermia, with distinct effects on localization of desmosomal proteins and connexin 43. These findings add a severe, previously undescribed syndrome featuring erythrokeratodermia and cardiomyopathy to the spectrum of disease caused by mutation in DSP, and identify a specific region of the protein critical to the pathobiology of EKC syndrome and to DSP function in the heart and skin. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  4. Identification of novel mutations including a double mutation in patients with inherited cardiomyopathy by a targeted sequencing approach using the Ion Torrent PGM system.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Yue; Cao, Hong; Song, Yindi; Feng, Yue; Ding, Xiaoxue; Pang, Mingjie; Zhang, Yunmei; Zhang, Hong; Ding, Jiahuan; Xia, Xueshan

    2016-06-01

    Inherited cardiomyopathy is the major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and heart failure (HF). The disease is associated with extensive genetic heterogeneity; pathogenic mutations in cardiac sarcomere protein genes, cytoskeletal protein genes and nuclear envelope protein genes have been linked to its etiology. Early diagnosis is conducive to clinical monitoring and allows for presymptomatic interventions as needed. In the present study, the entire coding sequences and flanking regions of 12 major disease (cardiomyopathy)-related genes [namely myosin, heavy chain 7, cardiac muscle, β (MYH7); myosin binding protein C, cardiac (MYBPC3); lamin A/C (LMNA); troponin I type 3 (cardiac) (TNNI3); troponin T type 2 (cardiac) (TNNT2); actin, α, cardiac muscle 1 (ACTC1); tropomyosin 1 (α) (TPM1); sodium channel, voltage gated, type V alpha subunit (SCN5A); myosin, light chain 2, regulatory, cardiac, slow (MYL2); myosin, heavy chain 6, cardiac muscle, α (MYH6); myosin, light chain 3, alkali, ventricular, skeletal, slow (MYL3); and protein kinase, AMP-activated, gamma 2 non-catalytic subunit  (PRKAG2)] in 8 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and in 8 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were amplified and then sequenced using the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM) system. As a result, a novel heterozygous mutation (MYH7, p.Asn885Thr) and a variant of uncertain significance (TNNT2, p.Arg296His) were identified in 2 patients with HCM. These 2 missense mutations, which were absent in the samples obtained from the 200 healthy control subjects, altered the amino acid that was evolutionarily conserved among a number of vertebrate species; this illustrates that these 2 non-synonymous mutations play a role in the pathogenesis of HCM. Moreover, a double heterozygous mutation (PRKAG2, p.Gly100Ser plus MYH7, p.Arg719Trp) was identified in a patient with severe familial HCM, for the first time to the best of our

  5. CELF4 Variant and Anthracycline-Related Cardiomyopathy: A Children’s Oncology Group Genome-Wide Association Study

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xuexia; Sun, Can-Lan; Quiñones-Lombraña, Adolfo; Singh, Purnima; Landier, Wendy; Hageman, Lindsey; Mather, Molly; Rotter, Jerome I.; Taylor, Kent D.; Chen, Yii-Der Ida; Armenian, Saro H.; Winick, Naomi; Ginsberg, Jill P.; Neglia, Joseph P.; Oeffinger, Kevin C.; Castellino, Sharon M.; Dreyer, Zoann E.; Hudson, Melissa M.; Robison, Leslie L.; Blanco, Javier G.

    2016-01-01

    Purpose Interindividual variability in the dose-dependent association between anthracyclines and cardiomyopathy suggests that genetic susceptibility could play a role. The current study uses an agnostic approach to identify genetic variants that could modify cardiomyopathy risk. Methods A genome-wide association study was conducted in childhood cancer survivors with and without cardiomyopathy (cases and controls, respectively). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that surpassed a prespecified threshold for statistical significance were independently replicated. The possible mechanistic significance of validated SNP(s) was sought by using healthy heart samples. Results No SNP was marginally associated with cardiomyopathy. However, SNP rs1786814 on the CELF4 gene passed the significance cutoff for gene-environment interaction (Pge = 1.14 × 10−5). Multivariable analyses adjusted for age at cancer diagnosis, sex, anthracycline dose, and chest radiation revealed that, among patients with the A allele, cardiomyopathy was infrequent and not dose related. However, among those exposed to greater than 300 mg/m2 of anthracyclines, the rs1786814 GG genotype conferred a 10.2-fold (95% CI, 3.8- to 27.3-fold; P < .001) increased risk of cardiomyopathy compared with those who had GA/AA genotypes and anthracycline exposure of 300 mg/m2 or less. This gene-environment interaction was successfully replicated in an independent set of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy. CUG-BP and ETR-3-like factor proteins control developmentally regulated splicing of TNNT2, the gene that encodes for cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a biomarker of myocardial injury. Coexistence of more than one cTnT variant results in a temporally split myofilament response to calcium, which causes decreased contractility. Analysis of TNNT2 splicing variants in healthy human hearts suggested an association between the rs1786814 GG genotype and coexistence of more than one TNNT2 splicing variant (90.5% GG v 41.7% GA

  6. Exaggerated cardiovascular effects of cocaine in conscious dogs with pacing-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Mathier, Michael A; Shen, You-Tang; Shannon, Richard P

    2002-12-01

    The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of the cardiovascular effects of cocaine in dilated cardiomyopathy. We studied the cardiovascular responses to acute intravenous cocaine (1 mg/kg) in 8 conscious, chronically instrumented dogs before and after the development of dilated cardiomyopathy induced by rapid ventricular pacing. To help elucidate the role of altered baroreflex function in mediating the cardiovascular effects of cocaine, we also studied responses in 3 conscious, chronically instrumented dogs that had undergone surgical sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation. Cocaine produced greater increases in heart rate (+57 +/- 8% from 112 +/- 5 beats/min versus +28 +/- 3% from 100 +/- 4 beats/min; P <.01), first derivative of left ventricular pressure (+30 +/- 5% from 1,714 +/- 147 mm Hg/sec versus +15 +/- 3% from 3,032 +/- 199 mm Hg/sec; P <.01), coronary vascular resistance (+28 +/- 5% from 2.3 +/- 0.3 mm Hg/mL/min versus +11 +/- 5% from 2.2 +/- 0.3 mm Hg/mL/min; P <.05) and plasma norepinephrine concentration (+130 +/- 31% from 462 +/- 102 pg/mL versus +86 +/- 32% from 286 +/- 77 pg/mL; P <.05) in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy as compared to controls. In addition, responses were much more rapid in onset following the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. Chronotropic and inotropic responses to cocaine were similarly rapid and exaggerated in dogs after baroreceptor denervation. Cocaine produces rapid and exaggerated chronotropic, inotropic, and coronary vasoconstrictor responses in conscious dogs with pacing-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Alterations in arterial baroreflex function may play a role in these observations, which in turn may underlie the clinically observed association between cocaine and heart failure.

  7. Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: Masquerading as Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Frigault, Jonathan; Lafrenière-Bessi, Valérie; Perron, Jean; Bédard, Élisabeth; Philippon, François; Poirier, Paul; Larose, Éric; Jacques, Frédéric

    2018-03-09

    Diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy 8 years earlier, a 45-year-old female suffered sudden cardiac death. Following resuscitation, the patient was diagnosed with an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery and underwent a successful coronary repair. The management of a patient with clinical features of cardiomyopathy is reviewed. Anomalous left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare but potentially lethal congenital anomaly affecting 1 in 300,000 live births 1 . Infants may have clinical features of myocardial ischemia and congestive heart failure 2 . Most surgically untreated patients die within the first year of life 3 . Although rare in teenagers and adults, this syndrome can cause sudden cardiac death 3 . ALCAPA that becomes clinically significant in the peripartum period and that is misdiagnosed for a postpartum cardiomyopathy, such as presented herein, is a very rare occurrence. Copyright © 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular interactions in cardiomyopathy patients using joint symbolic dynamic analysis.

    PubMed

    Giraldo, Beatriz F; Rodriguez, Javier; Caminal, Pere; Bayes-Genis, Antonio; Voss, Andreas

    2015-01-01

    Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in developed countries. Using electrocardiographic (ECG), blood pressure (BP) and respiratory flow signals, we obtained parameters for classifying cardiomyopathy patients. 42 patients with ischemic (ICM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies were studied. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was used to stratify patients with low risk (LR: LVEF>35%, 14 patients) and high risk (HR: LVEF≤ 35%, 28 patients) of heart attack. RR, SBP and TTot time series were extracted from the ECG, BP and respiratory flow signals, respectively. The time series were transformed to a binary space and then analyzed using Joint Symbolic Dynamic with a word length of three, characterizing them by the probability of occurrence of the words. Extracted parameters were then reduced using correlation and statistical analysis. Principal component analysis and support vector machines methods were applied to characterize the cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular interactions in ICM and DCM cardiomyopathies, obtaining an accuracy of 85.7%.

  9. α-cardiac actin is a novel disease gene in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Mogensen, Jens; Klausen, Ib C.; Pedersen, Anders K.; Egeblad, Henrik; Bross, Peter; Kruse, Torben A.; Gregersen, Niels; Hansen, Peter S.; Baandrup, Ulrik; Børglum, Anders D.

    1999-01-01

    We identified the α-cardiac actin gene (ACTC) as a novel disease gene in a pedigree suffering from familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). Linkage analyses excluded all the previously reported FHC loci as possible disease loci in the family studied, with lod scores varying between –2.5 and –6.0. Further linkage analyses of plausible candidate genes highly expressed in the adult human heart identified ACTC as the most likely disease gene, showing a maximal lod score of 3.6. Mutation analysis of ACTC revealed an Ala295Ser mutation in exon 5 close to 2 missense mutations recently described to cause the inherited form of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). ACTC is the first sarcomeric gene described in which mutations are responsible for 2 different cardiomyopathies. We hypothesize that ACTC mutations affecting sarcomere contraction lead to FHC and that mutations affecting force transmission from the sarcomere to the surrounding syncytium lead to IDC. PMID:10330430

  10. Early energy metabolism-related molecular events in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats: The effects of l-arginine and SOD mimic.

    PubMed

    Stancic, Ana; Filipovic, Milos; Ivanovic-Burmazovic, Ivana; Masovic, Sava; Jankovic, Aleksandra; Otasevic, Vesna; Korac, Aleksandra; Buzadzic, Biljana; Korac, Bato

    2017-06-25

    Considering the vital role of skeletal muscle in control of whole-body metabolism and the severity of long-term diabetic complications, we aimed to reveal the molecular pattern of early diabetes-related skeletal muscle phenotype in terms of energy metabolism, focusing on regulatory mechanisms, and the possibility to improve it using two redox modulators, l-arginine and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats (120 mg/kg) were treated with l-arginine or the highly specific SOD mimic, M40403, for 7 days. As appropriate controls, non-diabetic rats received the same treatments. We found that l-arginine and M40403 restored diabetes-induced impairment of phospho-5'-AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) signaling by upregulating AMPKα protein itself and its downstream effectors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α and nuclear respiratory factor 1. Also, there was a restitution of the protein levels of oxidative phosphorylation components (complex I, complex II and complex IV) and mitofusin 2. Furthermore, l-arginine and M40403 induced translocation of glucose transporter 4 to the membrane and upregulation of protein of phosphofructokinase and acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase, diminishing negative diabetic effects on limiting factors of glucose and lipid metabolism. Both treatments abolished diabetes-induced downregulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase proteins (SERCA 1 and 2). Similar effects of l-arginine and SOD mimic treatments suggest that disturbances in the superoxide/nitric oxide ratio may be responsible for skeletal muscle mitochondrial and metabolic impairment in early diabetes. Our results provide evidence that l-arginine and SOD mimics have potential in preventing and treating metabolic disturbances accompanying this widespread metabolic disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Early onset of cardiomyopathy and intellectual disability in a girl with Danon disease associated with a de novo novel mutation of the LAMP2 gene.

    PubMed

    Sugie, Kazuma; Yoshizawa, Hiroyuki; Onoue, Kenji; Nakanishi, Yoko; Eura, Nobuyuki; Ogawa, Megumu; Nakano, Tomoya; Sakaguchi, Yasuhiro; Hayashi, Yukiko K; Kishimoto, Toshifumi; Shima, Midori; Saito, Yoshihiko; Nishino, Ichizo; Ueno, Satoshi

    2016-12-01

    Danon disease, primary lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) deficiency, is characterized clinically by cardiomyopathy, myopathy and intellectual disability in boys. Because Danon disease is inherited in an X-linked dominant fashion, males are more severely affected than females, who usually have only cardiomyopathy without myopathy or intellectual disability; moreover, the onset of symptoms in females is usually in adulthood. We describe a girl with Danon disease who presented with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome at 12 years of age. Subsequently, she showed signs of mild learning disability and intellectual disability on psychological examinations. She had a de novo novel mutation in the LAMP-2 gene and harbored an identical c.749C > A (p.Ser250X) variant, resulting in a stop codon in exon 6. She showed decreased, but not completely absent LAMP-2 expression on immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses of a skeletal muscle biopsy specimen, which has been suggested to be caused by a 50% reduction in LAMP-2 expression (LAMP-2 haploinsufficiency) in female patients with Danon disease caused by a heterozygous null mutation. To our knowledge, our patient is one of the youngest female patients to have been given a diagnosis of Danon disease. In addition, this is the first documented case in a girl that was clearly associated with intellectual disability, which is very rare in females with Danon disease. Our findings suggest that studies of female patients with Danon disease can extend our understanding of the clinical features of this rare disease. © 2016 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.

  12. Spatial analysis improves the detection of early corneal nerve fiber loss in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Winter, Karsten; Strom, Alexander; Zhivov, Andrey; Allgeier, Stephan; Papanas, Nikolaos; Ziegler, Iris; Brüggemann, Jutta; Ringel, Bernd; Peschel, Sabine; Köhler, Bernd; Stachs, Oliver; Guthoff, Rudolf F.; Roden, Michael

    2017-01-01

    Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has revealed reduced corneal nerve fiber (CNF) length and density (CNFL, CNFD) in patients with diabetes, but the spatial pattern of CNF loss has not been studied. We aimed to determine whether spatial analysis of the distribution of corneal nerve branching points (CNBPs) may contribute to improving the detection of early CNF loss. We hypothesized that early CNF decline follows a clustered rather than random distribution pattern of CNBPs. CCM, nerve conduction studies (NCS), and quantitative sensory testing (QST) were performed in a cross-sectional study including 86 patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 47 control subjects. In addition to CNFL, CNFD, and branch density (CNBD), CNBPs were analyzed using spatial point pattern analysis (SPPA) including 10 indices and functional statistics. Compared to controls, patients with diabetes showed lower CNBP density and higher nearest neighbor distances, and all SPPA parameters indicated increased clustering of CNBPs (all P<0.05). SPPA parameters were abnormally increased >97.5th percentile of controls in up to 23.5% of patients. When combining an individual SPPA parameter with CNFL, ≥1 of 2 indices were >99th or <1st percentile of controls in 28.6% of patients compared to 2.1% of controls, while for the conventional CNFL/CNFD/CNBD combination the corresponding rates were 16.3% vs 2.1%. SPPA parameters correlated with CNFL and several NCS and QST indices in the controls (all P<0.001), whereas in patients with diabetes these correlations were markedly weaker or lost. In conclusion, SPPA reveals increased clustering of early CNF loss and substantially improves its detection when combined with a conventional CCM measure in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. PMID:28296936

  13. Cardiac-specific suppression of NF-κB signaling prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Candice M; Yong, Qian Chen; Rosa, Rodolfo M; Seqqat, Rachid; Gopal, Shanthi; Casarini, Dulce E; Jones, W Keith; Gupta, Sudhiranjan; Baker, Kenneth M; Kumar, Rajesh

    2014-10-01

    Activation of NF-κB signaling in the heart may be protective or deleterious depending on the pathological context. In diabetes, the role of NF-κB in cardiac dysfunction has been investigated using pharmacological approaches that have a limitation of being nonspecific. Furthermore, the specific cellular pathways by which NF-κB modulates heart function in diabetes have not been identified. To address these questions, we used a transgenic mouse line expressing mutated IκB-α in the heart (3M mice), which prevented activation of canonical NF-κB signaling. Diabetes was developed by streptozotocin injections in wild-type (WT) and 3M mice. Diabetic WT mice developed systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction by the 12th week, as measured by echocardiography. In contrast, cardiac function was preserved in 3M mice up to 24 wk of diabetes. Diabetes induced an elevation in cardiac oxidative stress in diabetic WT mice but not 3M mice compared with nondiabetic control mice. In diabetic WT mice, an increase in the phospholamban/sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2 ratio and decrease in ryanodine receptor expression were observed, whereas diabetic 3M mice showed an opposite effect on these parameters of Ca(2+) handling. Significantly, renin-angiotensin system activity was suppressed in diabetic 3M mice compared with an increase in WT animals. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that inhibition of NF-κB signaling in the heart prevents diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction through preserved Ca(2+) handling and inhibition of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system.

  14. Cardiac-specific suppression of NF-κB signaling prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system

    PubMed Central

    Thomas, Candice M.; Yong, Qian Chen; Rosa, Rodolfo M.; Seqqat, Rachid; Gopal, Shanthi; Casarini, Dulce E.; Jones, W. Keith; Gupta, Sudhiranjan; Baker, Kenneth M.

    2014-01-01

    Activation of NF-κB signaling in the heart may be protective or deleterious depending on the pathological context. In diabetes, the role of NF-κB in cardiac dysfunction has been investigated using pharmacological approaches that have a limitation of being nonspecific. Furthermore, the specific cellular pathways by which NF-κB modulates heart function in diabetes have not been identified. To address these questions, we used a transgenic mouse line expressing mutated IκB-α in the heart (3M mice), which prevented activation of canonical NF-κB signaling. Diabetes was developed by streptozotocin injections in wild-type (WT) and 3M mice. Diabetic WT mice developed systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction by the 12th week, as measured by echocardiography. In contrast, cardiac function was preserved in 3M mice up to 24 wk of diabetes. Diabetes induced an elevation in cardiac oxidative stress in diabetic WT mice but not 3M mice compared with nondiabetic control mice. In diabetic WT mice, an increase in the phospholamban/sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2 ratio and decrease in ryanodine receptor expression were observed, whereas diabetic 3M mice showed an opposite effect on these parameters of Ca2+ handling. Significantly, renin-angiotensin system activity was suppressed in diabetic 3M mice compared with an increase in WT animals. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that inhibition of NF-κB signaling in the heart prevents diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction through preserved Ca2+ handling and inhibition of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system. PMID:25085967

  15. Embryonic stem cell therapy of heart failure in genetic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Yamada, Satsuki; Nelson, Timothy J; Crespo-Diaz, Ruben J; Perez-Terzic, Carmen; Liu, Xiao-Ke; Miki, Takashi; Seino, Susumu; Behfar, Atta; Terzic, Andre

    2008-10-01

    Pathogenic causes underlying nonischemic cardiomyopathies are increasingly being resolved, yet repair therapies for these commonly heritable forms of heart failure are lacking. A case in point is human dilated cardiomyopathy 10 (CMD10; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #608569), a progressive organ dysfunction syndrome refractory to conventional therapies and linked to mutations in cardiac ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel subunits. Embryonic stem cell therapy demonstrates benefit in ischemic heart disease, but the reparative capacity of this allogeneic regenerative cell source has not been tested in inherited cardiomyopathy. Here, in a Kir6.2-knockout model lacking functional K(ATP) channels, we recapitulated under the imposed stress of pressure overload the gene-environment substrate of CMD10. Salient features of the human malignant heart failure phenotype were reproduced, including compromised contractility, ventricular dilatation, and poor survival. Embryonic stem cells were delivered through the epicardial route into the left ventricular wall of cardiomyopathic stressed Kir6.2-null mutants. At 1 month of therapy, transplantation of 200,000 cells per heart achieved teratoma-free reversal of systolic dysfunction and electrical synchronization and halted maladaptive remodeling, thereby preventing end-stage organ failure. Tracked using the lacZ reporter transgene, stem cells engrafted into host heart. Beyond formation of cardiac tissue positive for Kir6.2, transplantation induced cell cycle activation and halved fibrotic zones, normalizing sarcomeric and gap junction organization within remuscularized hearts. Improved systemic function induced by stem cell therapy translated into increased stamina, absence of anasarca, and benefit to overall survivorship. Embryonic stem cells thus achieve functional repair in nonischemic genetic cardiomyopathy, expanding indications to the therapy of heritable heart failure. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is

  16. Establishment of a Novel Murine Model of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy with Multiple Diffuse Coronary Lesions

    PubMed Central

    Nakaoka, Hajime; Nakagawa-Toyama, Yumiko; Nishida, Makoto; Okada, Takeshi; Kawase, Ryota; Yamashita, Taiji; Yuasa-Kawase, Miyako; Nakatani, Kazuhiro; Masuda, Daisaku; Ohama, Tohru; Sonobe, Takashi; Shirai, Mikiyasu; Komuro, Issei; Yamashita, Shizuya

    2013-01-01

    Objectives Atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries are the pathological basis for myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction is associated with cardiac remodeling, which has been studied by means of coronary ligation in mice. However, this ligation model requires excellent techniques. Recently, a new murine model, HypoE mouse was reported to exhibit atherogenic Paigen diet-induced coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction; however, the HypoE mice died too early to make possible investigation of cardiac remodeling. Therefore, we aimed to modify the HypoE mouse model to establish a novel model for ischemic cardiomyopathy caused by atherosclerotic lesions, which the ligation model does not exhibit. Methods and Results In our study, the sustained Paigen diet for the HypoE mice was shortened to 7 or 10 days, allowing the mice to survive longer. The 7-day Paigen diet intervention starting when the mice were 8 weeks old was adequate to permit the mice to survive myocardial infarction. Our murine model, called the “modified HypoE mouse”, was maintained until 8 weeks, with a median survival period of 36 days, after the dietary intervention (male, n = 222). Echocardiography demonstrated that the fractional shortening 2 weeks after the Paigen diet (n = 14) significantly decreased compared with that just before the Paigen diet (n = 6) (31.4±11.9% vs. 54.4±2.6%, respectively, P<0.01). Coronary angiography revealed multiple diffuse lesions. Cardiac remodeling and fibrosis were identified by serial analyses of cardiac morphological features and mRNA expression levels in tissue factors such as MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, collagen-1, and TGF-β. Conclusion Modified HypoE mice are a suitable model for ischemic cardiomyopathy with multiple diffuse lesions and may be considered as a novel and convenient model for investigations of cardiac remodeling on a highly atherogenic background. PMID

  17. Survival in cats with primary and secondary cardiomyopathies.

    PubMed

    Spalla, Ilaria; Locatelli, Chiara; Riscazzi, Giulia; Santagostino, Sara; Cremaschi, Elena; Brambilla, Paola

    2016-06-01

    Feline cardiomyopathies (CMs) represent a heterogeneous group of myocardial diseases. The most common CM is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), followed by restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Studies comparing survival and outcome for different types of CM are scant. Furthermore, little is known about the cardiovascular consequences of systemic diseases on survival. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare survival and prognostic factors in cats affected by HCM, RCM or secondary CM referred to our institution over a 10 year period. The study included 94 cats with complete case records and echocardiographic examination. Fifty cats presented HCM, 14 RCM and 30 secondary CM. A statistically significant difference in survival time was identified for cats with HCM (median survival time of 865 days), RCM (273 days) and secondary CM (<50% cardiac death rate). In the overall population and in the primary CM group (HCM + RCM), risk factors in the multivariate analysis, regardless of the CM considered, were the presence of clinical signs, an increased left atrial to aortic root (LA/Ao) ratio and a hypercoagulable state. Primary CMs in cats share some common features (ie, LA dimension and hypercoagulable state) linked to feline cardiovascular physiology, which influence survival greatly in end-stage CM. The presence of clinical signs has to be regarded as a marker of disease severity, regardless of the underlying CM. Secondary CMs are more benign conditions, but if the primary disease is not properly managed, the prognosis might also be poor in this group of patients. © ISFM and AAFP 2015.

  18. Status of therapeutic gene transfer to treat canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

    PubMed

    Sleeper, Meg M; Bish, Lawrence T; Sweeney, H Lee

    2010-07-01

    Therapeutic gene transfer holds promise as a way to treat dilated cardiomyopathy from any underlying cause because the approach attempts to address metabolic disturbances that occur at the molecular level of the failing heart. Calcium-handling abnormalities and increased rates of apoptosis are abnormalities that occur in many types of heart disease, and gene therapies that target these metabolic defects have proven to be beneficial in numerous rodent models of heart disease. The authors are currently evaluating this approach to treat canine idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

  19. Genomic Insights into Cardiomyopathies: A Comparative Cross-Species Review

    PubMed Central

    Simpson, Siobhan; Rutland, Paul; Rutland, Catrin Sian

    2017-01-01

    In the global human population, the leading cause of non-communicable death is cardiovascular disease. It is predicted that by 2030, deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease will have risen to over 20 million per year. This review compares the cardiomyopathies in both human and non-human animals and identifies the genetic associations for each disorder in each species/taxonomic group. Despite differences between species, advances in human medicine can be gained by utilising animal models of cardiac disease; likewise, gains can be made in animal medicine from human genomic insights. Advances could include undertaking regular clinical checks in individuals susceptible to cardiomyopathy, genetic testing prior to breeding, and careful administration of breeding programmes (in non-human animals), further development of treatment regimes, and drugs and diagnostic techniques. PMID:29056678

  20. Cardiomyocyte-Specific Ablation of Med1 Subunit of the Mediator Complex Causes Lethal Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Mice.

    PubMed

    Jia, Yuzhi; Chang, Hsiang-Chun; Schipma, Matthew J; Liu, Jing; Shete, Varsha; Liu, Ning; Sato, Tatsuya; Thorp, Edward B; Barger, Philip M; Zhu, Yi-Jun; Viswakarma, Navin; Kanwar, Yashpal S; Ardehali, Hossein; Thimmapaya, Bayar; Reddy, Janardan K

    2016-01-01

    Mediator, an evolutionarily conserved multi-protein complex consisting of about 30 subunits, is a key component of the polymerase II mediated gene transcription. Germline deletion of the Mediator subunit 1 (Med1) of the Mediator in mice results in mid-gestational embryonic lethality with developmental impairment of multiple organs including heart. Here we show that cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Med1 in mice (csMed1-/-) during late gestational and early postnatal development by intercrossing Med1fl/fl mice to α-MyHC-Cre transgenic mice results in lethality within 10 days after weaning due to dilated cardiomyopathy-related ventricular dilation and heart failure. The csMed1-/- mouse heart manifests mitochondrial damage, increased apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. Global gene expression analysis revealed that loss of Med1 in heart down-regulates more than 200 genes including Acadm, Cacna1s, Atp2a2, Ryr2, Pde1c, Pln, PGC1α, and PGC1β that are critical for calcium signaling, cardiac muscle contraction, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor regulated energy metabolism. Many genes essential for oxidative phosphorylation and proper mitochondrial function such as genes coding for the succinate dehydrogenase subunits of the mitochondrial complex II are also down-regulated in csMed1-/- heart contributing to myocardial injury. Data also showed up-regulation of about 180 genes including Tgfb2, Ace, Atf3, Ctgf, Angpt14, Col9a2, Wisp2, Nppa, Nppb, and Actn1 that are linked to cardiac muscle contraction, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and myocardial injury. Furthermore, we demonstrate that cardiac specific deletion of Med1 in adult mice using tamoxifen-inducible Cre approach (TmcsMed1-/-), results in rapid development of cardiomyopathy and death within 4 weeks. We found that the key findings of the csMed1-/- studies described above are highly reproducible in TmcsMed1-/- mouse heart