2 型糖尿病患者肾小管功能测定及其相关因素分析

目的:探讨2型糖尿病(DM)患者的肾小管功能改变,分析其相关因素。方法:将64例2型DM患者根据尿微量白蛋白量分为3组:正常蛋白尿组(<30mg/24h)21例、微量白蛋白尿组(30~300mg/24h)20例和临床蛋白尿组(>300mg/24h)23例,测定各组尿β2微球蛋白(U-β2MG)和尿渗透压(U-OSM)。探讨年龄、DM病程、24h尿白蛋白量、糖化血红蛋白、血压、血脂水平与肾小管功能损害的关系。结果:2型DM患者均有不同程度的尿β2MG增高及尿渗透压减低,在正常蛋白尿组即有4例尿β2-MG和7例尿OSM存在异常;方差分析显示,随尿白蛋白量的增高,尿β2MG逐步增高,尿渗透压逐步减低,三组间差异有统计学意义(F=26.123和13.889,P均<0.01),任两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。线性回归显示,尿β2MG及尿OSM改变与DM病程、尿白蛋白(U-ALB)、收缩压(SBP)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)独立有关。结论:2型DM肾脏损害并非仅累及肾小球,在尿微量白蛋白出现之前即可出现肾小管功能异常。联合检测24h尿白蛋白量、尿β2-MG、尿OSM有助于全面评估2型糖尿病患者的肾脏损害情况。严格控制血糖,尽早纠正代谢紊乱对肾小管功能有保护作用。     

2型糖尿病患者肾小管功能测定及其相关因素分析

目的：探讨2型糖尿病（DM）患者的肾小管功能改变,分析其相关因素。方法：将64例2型DM患者根据尿微量白蛋白量分为3组：正常蛋白尿组（〈30mg/24h）21例、微量白蛋白尿组（30~300mg/24h）20例和临床蛋白尿组（〉300mg/24h）23例,测定各组尿β2微球蛋白（U-β2MG）和尿渗透压（U-OSM）。探讨年龄、DM病程、24h尿白蛋白量、糖化血红蛋白、血压、血脂水平与肾小管功能损害的关系。结果：2型DM患者均有不同程度的尿β2MG增高及尿渗透压减低,在正常蛋白尿组即有4例尿β2-MG和7例尿OSM存在异常;方差分析显示,随尿白蛋白量的增高,尿β2MG逐步增高,尿渗透压逐步减低,三组间差异有统计学意义（F=26.123和13.889,P均〈0.01）,任两组比较差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）。线性回归显示,尿β2MG及尿OSM改变与DM病程、尿白蛋白（U-ALB）、收缩压（SBP）、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）独立有关。结论：2型DM肾脏损害并非仅累及肾小球,在尿微量白蛋白出现之前即可出现肾小管功能异常。联合检测24h尿白蛋白量、尿β2-MG、尿OSM有助于全面评估2型糖尿病患者的肾脏损害情况。严格控制血糖,尽早纠正代谢紊乱对肾小管功能有保护作用。     

A Panel of Novel Biomarkers Representing Different Disease Pathways Improves Prediction of Renal Function Decline in Type 2 Diabetes

ObjectiveWe aimed to identify a novel panel of biomarkers predicting renal function decline in type 2 diabetes, using biomarkers representing different disease pathways speculated to contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy.ResultsPatients’ average age was 63.5 years and baseline eGFR was 77.9 mL/min/1.73m². The average rate of eGFR decline was -2.0 ± 4.7 mL/min/1.73m²/year. When modeled on top of established risk markers, the biomarker panel including matrix metallopeptidases, tyrosine kinase, podocin, CTGF, TNF-receptor-1, sclerostin, CCL2, YKL-40, and NT-proCNP improved the explained variability of eGFR decline (R² increase from 37.7% to 54.6%; p=0.018) and improved prediction of accelerated eGFR decline (C-index increase from 0.835 to 0.896; p=0.008).ConclusionsA novel panel of biomarkers representing different pathways of renal disease progression including inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and endothelial function improved prediction of eGFR decline on top of established risk markers in type 2 diabetes. These results need to be confirmed in a large prospective cohort.     

西格列汀对早期2型糖尿病肾病患者肾功能的影响

目的:研究西格列汀对早期2型糖尿病肾病患者肾小球、肾小管标志性蛋白/酶的影响。方法:早期2型糖尿病肾病患者72例,随机数字表分为对照组36例、治疗组36例;两组均采用糖尿病饮食管理、运动治疗,在控制血糖、血脂、血压的基础上,治疗组给予磷酸西格列汀100 mg 1粒/次,1次/天,持续服药6月。观察治疗前、后两组血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、糖化血红蛋白(Hb A1c)、血脂、空腹血糖(FBG)、餐后2小时血糖(2 h PBG)、血清胱抑素-C(Cys-C)及24 h尿微量白蛋白(24 h UAE)、尿N-乙酰-β-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、尿β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG)的变化。结果:治疗后,治疗组血脂、Hb A1c、FBG、2 h PBG较对照组明显下降,差异有显著性(P0.05)。两组患者24 h UAE、NAG、β2-MG和Cys-C较治疗前均下降,差异有显著性(P0.05);两组治疗后相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:西格列汀可以有效控制早期DN患者的血糖水平,减少血清Cys-C、尿微量白蛋白水平,减轻肾小管损伤,有利于延缓DN的病程和进展。     

Reduction of Specific Circulating Lymphocyte Populations with Metabolic Risk Factors in Patients at Risk to Develop Type 2 Diabetes

Low-grade inflammation, characterized by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, is present in patients with obesity-linked insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and considered to play a leading role to progression into type 2 diabetes (T2D). In adipose tissue in obese patients and in pancreatic islets in T2D patients cellular inflammation is present. However, the systemic leukocyte compartment and the circulating endothelial/precursor compartment in patients at risk to develop T2D has so far not been analyzed in detail. To address this, peripheral blood cells from a cohort of 20 subjects at risk to develop diabetes with normal to impaired glucose tolerance were analyzed by flow cytometry using a wide range of cellular markers and correlated to known metabolic risk factors for T2D i.e. fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h plasma glucose (2 h PG), HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B), homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) and fasting insulin (FI). The four highest ranked cell markers for each risk factor were identified by random forest analysis. In the cohort, a significant negative correlation between the number of TLR4⁺ CD4 T cells and increased FPG was demonstrated. Similarly, with increased BMI the frequency of TLR4⁺ B cells was significantly decreased, as was the frequency of IL-21R⁺ CD4 T cells. Unlinked to metabolic risk factors, the frequency of regulatory T cells was reduced and TLR4⁺ CD4 T cells were increased with age. Taken together, in this small cohort of subjects at risk to develop T2D, a modulation of the circulating immune cell pool was demonstrated to correlate with risk factors like FPG and BMI. This may provide novel insights into the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the progression to diabetes in subjects at risk.     

2型糖尿病患者早期使用胰高血糖素样受体激动剂

糖尿病目前已成为继心血管疾病和肿瘤之后的第三位主要非传染性疾病,其中90%为2型糖尿病患者。胰高血糖素样肽-1类似物(GLP-I类似物)作为一种新型的降糖药物,具有降低体重、降低收缩压、改善胰岛细胞功能,已成为2型糖尿病治疗的新热点。艾塞那肽和利拉鲁肽作为肠促胰素激素,与人体内天然GLP-1保持了高度同源性(97%)。近几年来受到人们广泛关注。本综述针对2型糖尿病患者早期使用胰岛素样受体激动剂艾塞那肽和利拉鲁肽的安全性和有效性进行评估。     

Cysteine Residues and the Structure of the Rat Renal Proximal Tubular Type II Sodium Phosphate Cotransporter (Rat NaPi IIa)

The rat renal Na/P _i cotransporter type IIa (rat NaP_i IIa) is a 637 amino acid protein containing 12 cysteine residues. We examined the effect of different cysteine modifying methanethiosulfonate (MTS)-reagents and the disulfide bond reducing agent tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) on the transport activity of wild-type and 12 single cysteine substitution mutants of rat NaPi IIa expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The transport activity of the wild-type protein was resistant to three membrane impermeant MTS-reagents (MTSEA, MTSET and MTSES). In contrast, membrane permeant methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) and TCEP inhibited the transport activity of both the wild-type, as well as all the single mutant proteins. This indicated the existence of more than one functionally important cysteine residue, not accessible extracellularly, and at least 2 disulfide bridges. To identify the disulfide bridges, three double mutants lacking 2 of the 3 cysteine residues predicted to be extracellular in different combinations were examined. This led to the identification of one disulfide bridge between C306 and C334; reconsideration of the topological model predictions suggested a second disulfide bridge between C225 and C520. Evaluation of a fourth double mutant indicated that at least one of two disulfide bridges (C306 and C334; C225 and C520) has to be formed to allow the surface expression of a functional cotransporter. A revised secondary structure is proposed which includes two partially repeated motifs that are connected by disulfide bridges formed between cysteine pairs C306-C334 and C225-C520. Received: 13 December 1999/Revised: 31 March 2000     

替米沙坦联合叶酸对老年H型高血压合并2型糖尿病患者凝血功能及肾功的影响

目的:观察替米沙坦联合叶酸治疗对老年H型高血压合并2型糖尿病患者凝血功能及肾功的影响.为老年H型高血压合并2型糖尿病患者的临床治疗以及延缓病程提供理论依据.方法:选择66例符合标准的老年H型高血压合并2型糖尿病患者,测定血压,胰岛素敏感指数,糖化血红蛋白,同型半胱氨酸,凝血指标及尿白蛋白排泄率(UAE)等基线数据.上述患者随机分为对照组及实验组,分别接受替米沙坦80 mg/d及替米沙坦80 mg/d+叶酸片0.8 mg/d治疗后,于24周后复查上述指标,并与用药前进行对比研究.结果:对照组及实验组患者均较治疗前血压下降,糖化血红蛋白、纤维蛋白原、尿白蛋白排泄率明显下降(P＜0.05),胰岛素敏感指数较治疗前升高(P＜0.05).经治疗后,实验组患者较对照组血压、糖化血红蛋白、同型半胱氨酸、纤维蛋白原、尿白蛋白排泄率下降均低于对照组(P＜0.05),胰岛素敏感指数较对照组升高(P＜0.05).结论:对于老年H型高血压合并2型糖尿病患者替米沙坦联合叶酸治疗较单纯替米沙坦治疗具有更良好的降压作用,增加胰岛素敏感性,改善高凝状态,改善肾功.     

Secreted Products of Macrophages Exposed to Calcium Oxalate Crystals Induce Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Renal Tubular Cells via RhoA-Dependent TGF-β1 Pathway

Kidney stone disease is associated with renal fibrosis by the unclear mechanisms. We hypothesized that calcium oxalate (CaOx), a major crystalline component of kidney stones, could induce secretion of fibrotic factors from macrophages leading to “epithelial mesenchymal transition/transdifferentiation” (EMT) of renal tubular cells. Western blot analysis revealed an increased level of vimentin (mesenchymal marker) but decreased levels of E-cadherin and cytokeratin (epithelial markers) in MDCK cells treated with “secreted products from CaOx-exposed macrophages” (CaOx-M-Sup). Immunofluorescence study confirmed the increased level of vimentin and decreased level of cytokeratin, and also revealed the increased level of fibronectin (another mesenchymal marker). The data also showed decreased levels and disorganization of F-actin (cytoskeletal marker) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) (tight junction marker) induced by CaOx-M-Sup. ELISA demonstrated the increased level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), the well-defined EMT inducer, in CaOx-M-Sup. Downstream signaling of TGF-β1 was involved as demonstrated by the decreased level of RhoA. Interestingly, pretreatment with a proteasome inhibitor (MG132) could restore RhoA to its basal level, most likely through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP). Moreover, MG132 successfully sustained cytoskeletal assembly and tight junction, and could prevent the cells from EMT. Altogether, these data demonstrate for the first time that CaOx-M-Sup could induce EMT in renal tubular cells by TGF-β1 signaling cascade via RhoA and UPP. This may be, at least in part, the underlying mechanism for renal fibrosis in kidney stone disease.     

Topology of NBCe1 Protein Transmembrane Segment 1 and Structural Effect of Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis (pRTA) S427L Mutation

In the kidney proximal tubule, NBCe1-A plays a critical role in absorbing HCO₃⁻ from cell to blood. NBCe1-A transmembrane segment 1 (TM1) is involved in forming part of the ion permeation pathway, and a missense mutation S427L in TM1 impairs ion transport, causing proximal renal tubular acidosis. In the present study, we examined the topology of NBCe1-A-TM1 in detail and its structural perturbation induced by S427L. We analyzed the N-terminal cytoplasmic region (Cys-389–Gln-424) of NBCe1-A-TM1 using the substituted cysteine scanning accessibility method combined with extensive chemical stripping, in situ chemical probing, and functional transport assays. NBCe1-A-TM1 was previously modeled on the anion exchanger 1 TM1 (AE1-TM1); however, our data demonstrated that the topology of AE1-TM1 differs significantly from NBCe1-A-TM1. Our findings revealed that NBCe1-A-TM1 is unusually long, consisting of 31 membrane-embedded amino acids (Phe-412 to Thr-442). The linker region (Arg-394–Pro-411) between the N terminus of TM1 and the cytoplasmic domain is minimally exposed to aqueous and is potentially folded in a helical structure that intimately interacts with the NBCe1-A cytoplasmic domain. In contrast, AE1-TM1 contains 25 amino acids connected to an aqueous-exposed cytoplasmic region. Based on our new NBCe1-A-TM1 model, Ser-427 resides in the middle of TM1. Leucine substitution at Ser-427 blocks the normal aqueous access to Thr-442, Ala-435, and Lys-404, implying a significant alteration of NBCe1-TM1 orientation. Our study provides novel structural insights into the pathogenic mechanism of S427L in mediating proximal renal tubular acidosis.     

Extreme Levels of HbA1c Increase Incident ESRD Risk in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Competing Risk Analysis in National Cohort of Taiwan Diabetes Study

Background

Whether HbA1c is a predictor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetes patients remains unclear. This study evaluated relationship between HbA1c and ESRD in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Patients aged ≥ 30 years who were free of ESRD (n = 51 681) were included from National Diabetes Care Management Program from 2002–2003. Extended Cox proportional hazard model with competing risk of death served to evaluate association between HbA1c level and ESRD.

Results

A total of 2613 (5.06%) people developed ESRD during a follow-up period of 8.1 years. Overall incidence rate of ESRD was 6.26 per 1000 person-years. Patients with high levels of HbA1c had a high incidence rate of ESRD, from 4.29 for HbA1c of  6.0%–6.9% to 10.33 for HbA1c ≥ 10.0% per 1000 person-years. Patients with HbA1c < 6.0% particularly had a slightly higher ESRD incidence (4.34 per 1000 person-years) than those with HbA1c  of 6.0%–6.9%. A J-shaped relationship between HbA1c level and ESRD risk was observed. After adjustment, patients with HbA1c < 6.0% and ≥ 10.0% exhibited an increased risk of ESRD (HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.62–2.44; HR: 4.42, 95% CI: 3.80–5.14, respectively) compared with those with HbA1c of 6.0%–6.9%.

Conclusions

Diabetes care has focused on preventing hyperglycemia, but not hypoglycemia. Our study revealed that HbA1c level ≥ 7.0% was linked with increased ESRD risk in type 2 diabetes patients, and that HbA1c < 6.0% also had the potential to increase ESRD risk. Our study provides epidemiological evidence that appropriate glycemic control is essential for diabetes care to meet HbA1c targets and improve outcomes without increasing the risk to this population. Clinicians need to pay attention to HbA1c results on diabetic nephropathy.     

2型糖尿病合并高血压患者血清同型半胱氨酸水平与肾功能和颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨2型糖尿病（T2DM）合并高血压患者血清同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）水平与肾功能和颈动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法：回顾性分析2018年7月~2021年5月安徽省第二人民医院收治的168例T2DM患者的临床资料,按照是否合并高血压分为T2DM合并高血压组（合并组）87例和单纯T2DM组（T2DM组）81例,另选取同期健康体检者87例为对照组,比较各组血清Hcy水平、肾功能指标[血清肌酐（Scr）、尿液肌酐（CR）、尿微量白蛋白/肌酐(ACR)、尿免疫球蛋白G/肌酐(IGU/CR)、尿转铁蛋白/肌酐(TRU/CR)、尿α1-微量球蛋白/肌酐(α1/CR)、肾小球滤过率（eGFR）]及左侧、右侧颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）、Crouse积分,Pearson相关性分析Hcy水平与肾功能指标、IMT、Crouse积分的相关性。结果：合并组、T2DM组血清Hcy、Scr、CR、ACR、IGU/CR、TRU/CR、α1/CR水平及左侧IMT、右侧IMT、Crouse积分高于对照组,且合并组以上指标高于T2DM组（P＜0.05）;合并组、T2DM组eGFR水平低于对照组,且合并组低于T2DM组（P＜0.05）;Pearson相关性分析结果显示：T2DM合并高血压患者血清Hcy水平与Scr、CR、ACR、IGU/CR、TRU/CR、α1/CR水平及左侧IMT、右侧IMT、Crouse积分呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与eGFR水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：T2DM合并高血压患者血清Hcy水平异常升高,其与患者肾功能损伤及颈动脉粥样硬化有关。     

A Randomised Controlled Trial to Reduce Sedentary Time in Young Adults at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Project STAND (Sedentary Time ANd Diabetes)

Aims

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a serious and prevalent chronic disease, is traditionally associated with older age. However, due to the rising rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles, it is increasingly being diagnosed in the younger population. Sedentary (sitting) behaviour has been shown to be associated with greater risk of cardio-metabolic health outcomes, including T2DM. Little is known about effective interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in younger adults at risk of T2DM. We aimed to investigate, through a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, whether a group-based structured education workshop focused on sitting reduction, with self-monitoring, reduced sitting time.

Methods

Adults aged 18–40 years who were either overweight (with an additional risk factor for T2DM) or obese were recruited for the Sedentary Time ANd Diabetes (STAND) RCT. The intervention programme comprised of a 3-hour group-based structured education workshop, use of a self-monitoring tool, and follow-up motivational phone call. Data were collected at three time points: baseline, 3 and 12 months after baseline. The primary outcome measure was accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included other objective (activPAL) and self-reported measures of sedentary behaviour and physical activity, and biochemical, anthropometric, and psycho-social variables.

Results

187 individuals (69% female; mean age 33 years; mean BMI 35 kg/m²) were randomised to intervention and control groups. 12 month data, when analysed using intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) and per-protocol analyses, showed no significant difference in the primary outcome variable, nor in the majority of the secondary outcome measures.

Conclusions

A structured education intervention designed to reduce sitting in young adults at risk of T2DM was not successful in changing behaviour at 12 months. Lack of change may be due to the brief nature of such an intervention and lack of focus on environmental change. Moreover, some participants reported a focus on physical activity rather than reductions in sitting per se. The habitual nature of sedentary behaviour means that behaviour change is challenging.

Trial Registration

Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN08434554     

2型糖尿病患者血清三叶因子3、磷酸酪氨酸衔接蛋白1水平与肾功能及炎症反应的关系研究

目的:探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清三叶因子3(TFF3)、磷酸酪氨酸衔接蛋白1(APPL1)水平,并分析其与肾功能及炎症反应之间的关系。方法:选择2017年1月至2019年1月期间我院收治的T2DM患者168例,根据尿白蛋白/肌酐比率(UACR)将患者分为正常白蛋白尿组(UACR30 mg/g,n=79)、微量白蛋白尿组(30 mg/g≤UACR≤300 mg/g,n=65)和大量白蛋白尿组(UACR300 mg/g,n=24),另选择同期行体检的健康志愿者57例作为对照组。对比四组受试者血清TFF3、APPL1水平、肾功能指标[血尿素(UREA)、血肌酐(Scr)、胱抑素C(Cys C)和肾小球滤过率(GFR)]及炎症指标[肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)及单核细胞趋化因子1(MCP-1)]变化,Pearson相关分析血清TFF3、APPL1水平与肾功能指标及炎症因子的相关性。结果:四组受试者血清TFF3、APPL1、肾功能指标、TNF-α、IL-6及MCP-1之间的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组相比,T2DM患者血清TFF3、APPL1、UREA、Scr、Cys C、TNF-α、IL-6及MCP-1水平均明显升高,而GFR显著下降,且差异均具有统计学意义(PP0.05);不同UACR水平的T2DM患者血清TFF3、APPL1、肾功能指标、TNF-α、IL-6及MCP-1之间的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);Pearson相关分析结果显示,T2DM患者血清TFF3、APPL1分别与UREA、Scr、Cys C、TNF-α、IL-6、MCP-1呈正相关(P0.05),与GFR呈负相关(P0.05),但是与IL-10无相关性(P0.05)。结论:血清TFF3和APPL1可能通过影响肾功能及炎症反应而影响T2DM的发生及发展,可能作为T2DM临床诊断的生物学指标,为T2DM的治疗提供新靶点。     

Maternal Serum Heme-Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) Concentrations in Early Pregnancy and Subsequent Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) concentrations have been recently reported to be elevated in impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no study has examined the association between HO-1 concentrations and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

In a case-control study, nested within a prospective cohort of pregnant women (186 GDM cases and 191 women who remained eu-glycemic through pregnancy), we assessed the association of maternal serum HO-1 concentrations, measured in samples collected at 16 weeks gestation, on average, with subsequent risk of GDM. Maternal serum HO-1 concentrations were determined using ELISA. We fitted multivariate logistic regression models to derive estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Median serum HO-1 concentrations in early pregnancy were lower in women who subsequently developed GDM compared with those who did not (1.60 vs. 1.80 ng/mL, p-value = 0.002). After adjusting for maternal age, race, family history of T2DM and pre-pregnancy body mass index, women with HO-1≥3.05 ng/mL (highest decile) experienced a 74% reduction of GDM risk (95% CI; 0.09–0.77) compared with women whose concentrations were<1.23 ng/mL (lowest quartile).

Conclusion

Serum HO-1 concentrations were inversely associated with subsequent GDM risk. These findings underscore the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of GDM. Additional studies are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of serum HO-1 in diagnosis of GDM, particularly in the early pregnancy.     

Hepatic Insulin-Positive Cells and Major Transcription Factors (PDX1, MAFA,NGN3) in Rat Models of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - Due to a high occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications, insulin-positive cells detected in different organs are of great...