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Mihai Dumitru Porojan,1 Andreea Cătană,2 Radu A Popp,2 Dan L Dumitrascu,1 Cornelia Bala31Department of Internal Medicine, 2Department of Molecular Sciences, 3Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Iuliu Hatieganu, University of Pharmacy and Medicine, Cluj Napoca, RomaniaAbstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains one of the major health problems in Europe. Retinopathy is one of the major causes of morbidity in T2DM, strongly influencing the evolution and prognosis of these patients. In the last 2 decades, several studies have been conducted to identify the possible genetic susceptibility factors involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. However, there is little data related to the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene polymorphisms in the T2DM Caucasian population. The objective of this study was to identify a possible connection between NOS2A -954G/C (rs2297518) and VEGF +936C/T (rs3025039) polymorphisms and the risk of developing T2DM and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in a Caucasian population group. We investigated 200 patients diagnosed with T2DM and 208 controls. Genotypes were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical and comparative analyses (Fisher’s exact test) for dominant and recessive models of NOS2A -954G/C and VEGF +936C/T polymorphisms revealed an increased risk of T2DM (χ2=8.14, phi =0.141, P=0.004, odds ratio [OR] =2.795, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.347–5.801; χ2=18.814, phi =0.215, P

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Differences in the composition of the species of microorganisms in the gut may predict the evolution toward obesity and diabetes mellitus. We carried out a systematic review of the studies dedicated to the role of gut microbiota in diabetes mellitus and obesity. METHODS: A systematic literature search of electronic databases was performed, using the search syntax: “Gut microbiota and diabetes and obesity”; abstracts in English, with data about mechanisms of pathogenesis and treatment options by changing the gut composition were included (259 articles). Studies were excluded if they did not have an abstract, or they contained no data about the exact implication mechanism of microbiota. RESULTS: There are differences regarding the composition of the gut microbiota in healthy people and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients; the later proved to have significantly decreased Clostridium components, and increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations. The intestines of obese subjects are less rich in microbial genes, have a reduced amount of Bacteroidetes and an increased amount of Firmicutes. Fecal microbiota transplantation from obese subjects resulted in adoption of the donor somatotype. Early differences in gut microbiota composition (higher number of Bifidobacteria) function as diagnostic markers for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in high-risk patients. The gut endotoxins contribute to metabolic syndrome manifestation. Experimental studies with prebiotic showed lower levels of cytokines and antiobesity potential. CONCLUSION: Microbiota composition and its changes since childhood have an important role in the metabolic syndrome. Any intervention in order to prevent or treat obesity and diabetes mellitus should have as target the gut immune system.

Introduction: Electrocardiographic changes can occure in acute pancreatitis, but prevalence of them is unknown. Aims and methods: The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency and type of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pancreatitis, depending on the severity of the disease. 303 patients, 170 (56, 1%) male and 133 (43, 9%) female, hospitalized in our clinicl during three year period, were included. Average age was 59, 7+/-15, 4. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed by a combination of typical history, clinical features, elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes and imaging studies (US and CT). Acute pancreatitis was considered to be severe with a Ranson score >3. All patients underwent a standard 12-lead electrocardiographic recording upon admission in the hospital. Heart frequency, atrioventricular conduction, atrial and ventricular ectopy, T and ST abnormalities and QTc were analysed. Results: There were 149 (49, 2%) patients with acute pancreatitis Ranson score 3 (Group B). Difference between two groups in measured PR interval was statistically significant (151, 2+/-36, 9 vs. 140, 6+/-50, 9ms, p=0, 04). There were 17 (11, 4%) patients with ST abnormality in group A, and 41 (26, 7%) in group B ; the difference was statistically significant differece (p>0, 05). Occurrence of bradycardia (f100/min) was not significantly different (p>0, 05). Coclusion: Duration of PR interval and occurrence of ST segment abnormalities showed statistically significant difference in two groups. Our patients with severe acute pancreatitis had shortened time of atrioventricular conduction and more frequent abnormalities in ventricular repolarisation compared to the control group.