Taurine Transporter Gene Expression in Mononuclear Blood Cells of Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Background. Taurine transporter gene expression (RNA-TauT) has a role in retinal cell function and is modulatedin vitroandin vivoby hyperglycemia and/or oxidative stress. This study was aimed at testing whether RNA-TauT gene expression is modified in blood mononuclear peripheral cells (MPCs) of type 1 diabetic patients, is related to plasma markers of oxidative stress or endothelial dysfunction, or, finally, is related to presence of retinopathy.Methods. RNA-TauT was measured in MPCs by real-time PCR-analysis in 35 type 1 diabetic patients and in 33 age- and sex-matched controls, additionally measuring plasma and cell taurine and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.Results. RNA-TauT, expressed as2-ΔΔCt, was significantly higher in MPCs of type 1 diabetic patients than in controls [median (interquartile range): 1.32(0.31) versus 1.00(0.15);P=0.01]. In diabetic patients RNA-TauT was related to HbA1c (r=0.42;P=0.01) and inversely to plasma homocysteine (r=-0.39;P=0.02) being additionally significantly higher in MPCs of patients without retinopathy [(n=22); 1.36(0.34)] compared to those with retinopathy [(n=13); 1.16(0.20)], independently from HbA1c or diabetes duration.Conclusions. RNA-TauT gene expression is significantly upregulated in MPCs of type 1 diabetes patients and is related to HbA1c levels and inversely to plasma homocysteine. Finally, in diabetes patients, RNA-TauT upregulation seems to be blunted in patients with retinopathy independently of their metabolic control or longer diabetes duration.

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Mitochondrial Alterations and Enhanced Human Leukocyte/Endothelial Cell Interactions in Type 1 Diabetes

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9072155 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 2155

Author(s):

Francesca Iannantuoni ◽

Aranzazu M. de Marañon ◽

Zaida Abad-Jiménez ◽

Francisco Canet ◽

Pedro Díaz-Pozo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Adhesion Molecules ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Mitochondrial Membrane ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Ros Production ◽

Mitochondrial Ros ◽

Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Type 1 diabetes has been associated with oxidative stress. This study evaluates the rates of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, leukocyte–endothelium interactions and adhesion molecules in type 1 diabetic patients. The study population consisted of 52 diabetic patients and 46 body-composition and age-matched controls. We assessed anthropometric and metabolic parameters, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function by evaluating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) expression in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from type 1 diabetic patients. In addition, we evaluated interactions between leukocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and serum expression of adhesion molecules (P-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). HbA1C and glucose levels were higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects, as expected. Mitochondrial function was altered and leukocyte–endothelium interactions were enhanced in diabetic patients, which was evident in the increase in total and mitochondrial ROS production, higher mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced leukocyte rolling and adhesion, and decreased rolling velocity. Furthermore, we observed an increase in levels of adhesion molecules P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in these subjects. In addition, type 1 diabetic patients exhibited an increase in proinflammatory mediators TNFα and MPO, and a decreased expression of SOD. The enhancement of leukocyte–endothelium interactions and proinflammatory markers correlated with glucose and HbA1Clevels. Mitochondrial alteration, oxidative stress, and enhanced leukocyte–endothelium interactions are features of type 1 diabetes and may be related to cardiovascular implications.

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