Arginase can cause vascular dysfunction by competing with nitric oxide synthase for l-arginine and by increasing cell proliferation and collagen formation, which promote vascular fibrosis/stiffening. We have shown that increased arginase expression/activity contribute to vascular endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. Here, we examined the roles of the two arginase isoforms, arginase I and II (AI a...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) mimetic peptide, D-4F, on atherosclerosis development in a pre-existing diabetic condition. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We induced hyperglycemia in 6-week-old apoE(-/-) female mice using streptozotocin. Half of the diabetic apoE(-/-) mice received D-4F in drinking water. Ten weeks later, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin level...

Diabetics have a higher incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), are infected with a broader range of uropathogens, and more commonly develop serious UTI sequelae than nondiabetics. To better study UTI in the diabetic host, we created and characterized a murine model of diabetic UTI using the pancreatic islet beta-cell toxin streptozocin in C3H/HeN, C3H/HeJ, and C57BL/6 mouse backgrounds. In...

AIMS/INTRODUCTION Senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) is abundantly expressed in renal proximal tubule cells, but its expression decreases with age. Previous studies have shown that reduced SMP30 expression could contribute to aging-associated deterioration of cellular function and tissue injury. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SMP30 deficiency on the pathogenesis of diabe...

Elevated GH levels are frequently seen in poorly controlled type I diabetics and have been implicated in diabetic complications. Studies of GH and GH antagonist (GHA) transgenic mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes have revealed that GH has a permissive effect for diabetic nephropathy, and that expression of a GHA gene protected mice against diabetic kidney lesions. To investigate wh...

Loss of pericytes, an early hallmark of diabetic retinopathy (DR), results in breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may be involved in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a known ameliorator of ER stress, on pericyte loss in DR of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. To assess the extent ...

Recently, we showed that pharmacological blockade or genetic deficiency of arginase-2 confers kidney protection in diabetic mouse models. Here, we tested whether the protective effect of arginase inhibition is nitric oxide synthase 3 (eNOS) dependent in diabetic nephropathy. Experiments were conducted in eNOS-knockout and their wild-type littermate mice using multiple low doses of vehicle or st...

Hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia accompanied i.p. or i.m. growth of the Ehrlich tumor in CBA/H and BALB/c mice. Simultaneously, insulin accumulated in the ascitic fluid of tumor-bearing mice. In hosts rendered diabetic by means of alloxan, the tumor decreased the blood glucose almost to the level seen in nondiabetic mice. Tumor growth was retarded in diabetic hosts, but cells from such tumors, ...

Recent studies have shown that rambutan peel phenolic (RPP) extract demonstrate high antioxidant and antiglycation activities in vitro and in vivo. This study further evaluated the anti-diabetic activity of RPP in a mouse model of Type II diabetes induced by streptozotocin combined with high-fat diet. Results showed that RPP increased the body weight and reduced the fasting blood glucose level ...

Hartner A, Cordasic N, Menendez-Castro C, Volkert G, Yabu JM, Kupraszewicz-Hutzler M, Rascher W, Hilgers KF. Lack of 8integrin aggravates podocyte injury in experimental diabetic nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 299: F1151–F1157, 2010. First published September 8, 2010; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00058.2010.— Development of diabetic nephropathy is accompanied by changes in integrin-mediated ce...