Effect of different training mode on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients

[Purpose]

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different training modes on IL-6 and CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

[Methods]

The subjects consisted of 16 middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), all of whom had no other complications. The 16 subjects were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the circuit training group (CTG, n = 8) and aerobic training group (ATG, n = 8). Based on measured THR (target heart rate) for maximum oxygen consumption rate, the circuit training group (CTG) exercised at 60% intensity, 60 min/day, 5 sets, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Based on measured THR (target heart rate) for maximum oxygen consumption rate, the aerobic training group (ATG) exercised at 60% intensity (which was increased gradually in weeks 4, 7, and 10) 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

[Results]

The results are as follows. Significant decreases in the post training values of weight, % Fat, BMI, IL-6 and CRP (p < .05) were observed in the CTG compared to pre-training. However, there were no differences in the physical characteristic and blood inflammatory factors between the groups (ATG & CTG).

[Conclusion]

In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that circuit training (CT) may be considered as an effective training mode for helping to decrease the blood inflammatory factors (IL-6 and CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).     

Evolution of a neuroprotective function of central nervous system myelin

The central nervous system (CNS) of terrestrial vertebrates underwent a prominent molecular change when a tetraspan membrane protein, myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), replaced the type I integral membrane protein, P0, as the major protein of myelin. To investigate possible reasons for this molecular switch, we genetically engineered mice to express P0 instead of PLP in CNS myelin. In the absence of PLP, the ancestral P0 provided a periodicity to mouse compact CNS myelin that was identical to mouse PNS myelin, where P0 is the major structural protein today. The PLP-P0 shift resulted in reduced myelin internode length, degeneration of myelinated axons, severe neurological disability, and a 50% reduction in lifespan. Mice with equal amounts of P0 and PLP in CNS myelin had a normal lifespan and no axonal degeneration. These data support the hypothesis that the P0-PLP shift during vertebrate evolution provided a vital neuroprotective function to myelin-forming CNS glia.     

cAMP elevating agents suppress secretory phospholipase A(2)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 activation

Phospholipase A2 proteins are major regulators of the arachidonic acid cascade and are involved in various cellular responses. Previously, we reported that group IB PLA2 proteins stimulate MMP-2 activation and subsequent cell migration. Here, we describe a novel mechanism whereby sPLA2-induced proMMP-2 activation is regulated by intracellular cAMP in HT1080 cells, although sPLA2 itself had no effect on the regulation of cAMP levels. Exogenous dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analogue) strongly inhibited proMMP-2 activation, and cAMP elevating agents, namely, cholera toxin (a Gs activator) and forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator), abrogated basal and sPLA2-induced proMMP-2 activation. We also found that the down-regulation of TIMP-2 expression and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation by sPLA2 were blocked by increasing the intracellular cAMP level. Taken together, our data indicate that sPLA2-induced proMMP-2 activation is influenced by intracellular cAMP levels via the modulations of TIMP-2 expression and ERK1/2 activation.     

Lab-scale study of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for dilute municipal wastewater treatment

Anaerobic bioreactors supplemented with membrane technology have become quite popular, owing to their favorable energy recovery characteristics. In this study, a lab-scale anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) was assessed in experimental treatments of pre-settled dilute municipal wastewater obtained from a full-scaled wastewater treatment plant. The MBR system was operated in continuous flow mode for 440 days. To evaluate the performance of the AnMBR under various loading rates, the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was reduced in a stepwise manner (from 2 to 0.5 days). Afterward, the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) were reduced from 7,000 to 3,000 mg/L in increments of 1,000 mg/L, resulting in a decrease in solids retention time (SRT) at a constant HRT of 1.0 day. The soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) concentration in the feed varied between 38 and 131 mg/L, whereas the average permeate SCOD ranged between 18 and 37 mg/L, reflecting excellent effluent quality. The AnMBR performance in terms of COD removal proved stable, despite variations in influent characteristics and HRT and SRT changes. The concentration of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) was reduced with decreases in HRT from 42 to 22 mg VS/mg of MLSS, thereby indicating that the increased biomass concentration biodegraded the EPS at lower HRTs. AnMBR is, therefore, demonstrably a feasible option for the treatment of dilute wastewater with separate stage nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes.     

Promoter analysis of the Drosophila melanogaster gene encoding the pterin 4alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase.

Pterin-4alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) is a key enzyme in the regeneration pathway of tetrahydrobiopterin. Previously, we isolated and reported the Drosophila melanogaster gene encoding PCD. In the present study, we isolated and characterized the Drosophila virilis gene encoding PCD. The Drosophila virilis PCD gene has two introns and an open reading frame to encode a protein of 101 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of Drosophila virilis PCD shows a 83% homology to that of the Drosophila melanogaster PCD protein. From the alignment of the nucleotide sequence in the 5'-flanking region of the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis PCD genes, we found four conserved sequences. Using a transient transfection assay, we showed that one of the conserved sequences (-127 to approximately -115) is critical for expression, also the minimal promoter region between -127 and +51 is necessary for the efficient expression of Drosophila melanogaster PCD.