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Diabetic neuropathy is a major complication of diabetes mellitus that occurs during the early stages of the disease. Many pathogenic mechanisms are related and induced by hyperglycemia. However, even if these factors improve, diabetic neuropathy cannot go into remission and progresses slowly. Furthermore, diabetic neuropathy often progresses even with proper glycemic control. Recently, bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) were reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. BMDCs expressing proinsulin and TNFα migrate to the dorsal root ganglion and fuse with neurons, and this neuronal-hematopoietic cell fusion induces neuronal dysfunction and apoptosis. The CD106-positive lineage–sca1+c-kit+ (LSK) stem cell fraction in the bone marrow is strongly involved in cell fusion with neurons, leading to diabetic neuropathy. Surprisingly, when CD106-positive LSK stem cells obtained from diabetic mice were transplanted into nondiabetic mice, they fused with dorsal root ganglion neurons and induced neuropathy in non-hyperglycemic normal mice. The transplanted CD106-positive LSK fraction inherited the trait even after transplantation; this “progeny effect” may explain the irreversibility of diabetic neuropathy and is a significant finding for determining the target of radical treatments and provides new directions for developing therapeutic methods for diabetic neuropathy.

Adipose tissues accumulate excess energy as fat and heavily influence metabolic homeostasis. O-GlcNAc modification (O-GlcNAcylation), which involves the addition of N­acetylglucosamine to proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt), modulates multiple cellular processes. However, little is known about the role of O-GlcNAcylation in adipose tissues during bodyweight gain due to overnutrition. Here, we report on O-GlcNAcylation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Mice with knockout of Ogt in adipose tissue achieved using adiponectin promoter-driven Cre recombinase ( Ogt-FKO) gained less bodyweight than control mice under HFD. Surprisingly, Ogt-FKO mice exhibited glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, despite their reduced bodyweight gain, as well as decreased expression of de novo lipogenesis genes and increased expression of inflammatory genes, resulting in fibrosis at 24 weeks of age. Primary cultured adipocytes derived from Ogt-FKO mice showed decreased lipid accumulation. Both in primary cultured adipocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with Ogt inhibitor showed increased secretion of free fatty acids. Medium derived from these adipocytes stimulated inflammatory genes in RAW 264.7 macrophages, suggesting that cell-to-cell communication via free fatty acids might be a cause of adipose inflammation in Ogt-FKO mice. In conclusion, O-GlcNAcylation is important for healthy adipose expansion in mice. Glucose flux into adipose tissues may be a signal to store excess energy as fat.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an intractable neurodegenerative disease. CD68-positive bone marrow (BM)-derived cells (BMDCs) accumulate in the pathological lesion in the SOD1(G93A) ALS mouse model after BM transplantation (BMT). Therefore, we investigated whether BMDCs can be applied as gene carriers for cell-based gene therapy by employing the accumulation of BMDCs. In ALS mice, YFP reporter signals were observed in 12–14% of white blood cells (WBCs) and in the spinal cord via transplantation of BM after lentiviral vector (LV) infection. After confirmation of gene transduction by LV with the CD68 promoter in 4–7% of WBCs and in the spinal cord of ALS mice, BM cells were infected with LVs expressing glutamate transporter (GLT) 1 that protects neurons from glutamate toxicity, driven by the CD68 promoter, which were transplanted into ALS mice. The treated mice showed improvement of motor behaviors and prolonged survival. Additionally, interleukin (IL)-1β was significantly suppressed, and IL-4, arginase 1, and FIZZ were significantly increased in the mice. These results suggested that GLT1 expression by BMDCs improved the spinal cord environment. Therefore, our gene therapy strategy may be applied to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS in which BMDCs accumulate in the pathological lesion by BMT.

Diabetic neuropathy is an incurable disease. We previously identified a mechanism by which aberrant bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) pathologically expressing proinsulin/TNF-α fuse with residential neurons to impair neuronal function. Here, we show that CD106-positive cells represent a significant fraction of short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs) that contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy in mice. The important role for these cells is supported by the fact that transplantation of either whole HSCs or CD106-positive ST-HSCs from diabetic mice to non-diabetic mice produces diabetic neuronal dysfunction in the recipient mice via cell fusion. Furthermore, we show that transient episodic hyperglycemia produced by glucose injections leads to abnormal fusion of pathological ST-HSCs with residential neurons, reproducing neuropathy in nondiabetic mice. In conclusion, we have identified hyperglycemia-induced aberrant CD106-positive ST-HSCs underlie the development of diabetic neuropathy. Aberrant CD106-positive ST-HSCs constitute a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy., Katagi et al. show that abnormal bone marrow-derived cells originated from hematopoietic stem cells (CD106-positive short-term HSCs) aberrantly fuse with neurons to develop diabetic neuropathy. This study suggests that the pathological abnormality is memorized in the bone marrow and that it cannot be erased by conventional therapy.

Background:The pathophysiology of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has been studied in several rodent models to develop novel treatments. Although it is well known that high ambient temperature results in severe HIE, the effect of subtle changes in ambient temperature during a hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult has not been studied. Therefore, in order to clarify the difference of pathophysiological change among the HIE models due to the influence of small changes in chamber temperature, three-step gradual change of 0.5°C each were prepared in ambient temperature during hypoxic exposure., Methods:Blood flow in the left common carotid artery (CCA) of neonatal mice was interrupted using bipolar electronic forceps under general and local anesthesia. The mice were subsequently subjected to 10% hypoxic exposure for 50 min at 36.0, 36.5, or 37.0°C. A control group was also included in the study. The size of the striatum and hippocampus and the volume reduction rate of the hemisphere in the section containing them on the ischemic side were evaluated using microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunostaining. The accumulation of Iba1-positive cells was investigated to assess inflammation. Additionally, rotarod and open-field tests were performed 2 weeks after HI insult to assess its effect on physiological conditions., Results:MAP2 staining revealed that the higher the temperature during hypoxia, the more severe the volume reduction rate in the hemisphere, striatum, and hippocampus. The number of Iba1-positive cells in the ipsilateral lesion gradually increased with increasing temperature, and there was a significant difference in motor function in the 36.5 and 37.0°C groups compared with the sham group. In the open-field tests, there was a significant decrease in performance in the 37.0°C groups compared with the 36.0°C and sham groups., Conclusions:Even a small gradual change of 0.5°C produced a significant difference in pathological and behavioral changes and contributed to the accumulation of Iba1-positive cells. The arrangement of ambient temperature is useful for creating a rodent model with the appropriate severity of the targeted neuropsychological symptoms to establish a novel therapy for HIE.

The intestinal microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from dietary fiber and has specific effects on other organs. During endurance exercise, fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids are major energy substrates. However, little is known about the role of SCFAs during exercise. To investigate this, mice were administered either multiple antibiotics or a low microbiome-accessible carbohydrate (LMC) diet, before endurance testing on a treadmill. Two-week antibiotic treatment significantly reduced endurance capacity versus the untreated group. In the cecum acetate, propionate, and butyrate became almost undetectable in the antibiotic-treated group, plasma SCFA concentrations were lower, and the microbiome was disrupted. Similarly, 6-wk LMC treatment significantly reduced exercise capacity, and fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations. Continuous acetate but not saline infusion in antibiotic-treated mice restored their exercise capacity ( P < 0.05), suggesting that plasma acetate may be an important energy substrate during endurance exercise. In addition, running time was significantly improved in LMC-fed mice by fecal microbiome transplantation from others fed a high microbiome-accessible carbohydrate diet and administered a single portion of fermentable fiber ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the microbiome can contribute to endurance exercise by producing SCFAs. Our findings provide new insight into the effects of the microbiome on systemic metabolism.

Objective:The intestine is an important organ for nutrient metabolism via absorption and endocrine systems. Nutrients regulate O-GlcNAcylation, a post-translational modification of various proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). We have previously shown that general OGT knockout induced severe weight loss and hypoglycaemia in mice, but little is known about how O-GlcNAcylation in the intestine modulates nutrient metabolism, especially glucose metabolism, through absorption. We aimed to reveal the roles of O-GlcNAcylation in glucose absorption by the small intestine and elucidate the mechanism by which O-GlcNAcylation regulates sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) expression., Methods:First, we fasted normal mice and examined the changes in glucose transporters and O-GlcNAcylation in the intestine. Then, we generated two lines of small intestine-specific OGT-deficient mice (congenital: Ogt-VKO, tamoxifen-inducible: Ogt-iVKO) and observed the changes in body weight and in glucose and lipid metabolism. Finally, we investigated Sglt1 gene regulation by O-GlcNAcylation using enteroendocrine STC-1 cells., Results:Fasting decreased O-GlcNAcylation in the intestinal epithelium of normal mice. The Ogt-VKO mice showed significantly lower non-fasted blood glucose levels and were underweight compared with litter matched controls. Glycaemic excursion in the Ogt-VKO mice was significantly lower during the oral glucose tolerance test but comparable during the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, the Ogt-VKO mice exhibited lower Sglt1 expression in the small intestine compared with the control mice. We obtained similar results using the Ogt-iVKO mice only after tamoxifen administration. The oral d-xylose administration test revealed that the intestinal sugar absorption was diminished in the Ogt-iVKO mice and that GLP-1 secretion did not sufficiently increase after glucose gavage in the Ogt-iVKO mice. When using STC-1 cells, O-GlcNAcylation increased Sglt1 mRNA via a PKA/CREB-dependent pathway., Conclusion:Collectively, loss of O-GlcNAcylation in the intestine reduced glucose absorption via suppression of SGLT1 expression; this may lead to new treatments for malabsorption, obesity and diabetes.

Aim:We aimed to determine whether SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin treatment affects body composition and amino acid (AA) metabolism., Methods:Fifty-two overweight patients treated by oral antidiabetic agents were randomly assigned to dapagliflozin (Dapa) or a standard treatment (Con) and followed for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in body mass (BM) between baseline and week 24. Body composition, intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content, and plasma AA concentrations were examined as secondary outcomes., Results:The change in BM was significantly larger in the Dapa than in the Con group, with a difference in the mean change of -1.72 kg (95 %CI: -2.85, -0.59; P = 0.004) between the groups. Total fat mass was reduced by dapagliflozin treatment, but fat-free mass was maintained. IHTG content was significantly reduced in the Dapa than in the Con (P = 0.033). Changes in AAs showed small differences between the groups, but only serine concentrations were significantly reduced in the Dapa. Intra-group analysis showed that positive associations were observed between changes in branched chain AA concentrations and body composition only in the Dapa., Conclusions:Dapagliflozin treatment causes a reduction in BM mainly by reducing fat mass. AA metabolism shows subtle changes with dapagliflozin treatment.

Summary Several treatments have been attempted in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) animal models and patients. Recently, transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) was investigated as a regenerative therapy for ALS, but satisfactory treatments remain to be established. To develop an effective treatment, we focused on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expressing hepatocyte growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and insulin-like growth factor using human artificial chromosome vector (HAC-MSCs). Here, we demonstrated the transplantation of MNCs with HAC-MSCs in ALS mice. As per our results, the progression of motor dysfunction was significantly delayed, and their survival was prolonged dramatically. Additional analysis revealed preservation of motor neurons, suppression of gliosis, engraftment of numerous MNCs, and elevated chemotaxis-related cytokines in the spinal cord of treated mice. Therefore, growth factor-expressing MSCs enhance the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived MNCs for ALS and have a high potential as a novel cell therapy for patients with ALS., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • MNCs with growth factor-expressing MSCs is an effective cell therapy for ALS mice • The MSCs enhance therapeutic effects by migration of MNCs into ALS mice spinal cord • This cell therapy suppresses neuronal loss and gliosis in ALS mice spinal cord • This cell therapy induces several cytokines expression in ALS mice spinal cord, Molecular Neuroscience; Cellular Neuroscience; Stem Cells Research

Mitochondria are critical in heat generation in brown and beige adipocytes. Mitochondrial number and function are regulated in response to external stimuli, such as cold exposure and β3 adrenergic receptor agonist. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial biogenesis during browning, especially by microRNAs, remain unknown. We investigated the role of miR-494-3p in mitochondrial biogenesis during adipogenesis and browning. Intermittent mild cold exposure of mice induced PPARγ coactivator1-α (PGC1-α) and mitochondrial TFAM, PDH, and ANT1/2 expression along with uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1) in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). miR-494-3p levels were significantly downregulated in iWAT upon cold exposure (p p p p

Adipose tissues considerably influence metabolic homeostasis, and both white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue play significant roles in lipid and glucose metabolism. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification is characterized by the addition of N-acetylglucosamine to various proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt), subsequently modulating various cellular processes. However, little is known about the role of O-GlcNAc modification in adipose tissues. Here, we report the critical role of O-GlcNAc modification in cold-induced thermogenesis. Deletion of Ogt in WAT and BAT using adiponectin promoter–driven Cre recombinase resulted in severe cold intolerance with decreased uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression. Furthermore, Ogt deletion led to decreased mitochondrial protein expression in conjunction with decreased peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α protein expression. This phenotype was further confirmed by deletion of Ogt in BAT using Ucp1 promoter–driven Cre recombinase, suggesting that O-GlcNAc modification in BAT is responsible for cold-induced thermogenesis. Hypothermia was significant under fasting conditions. This effect was mitigated after normal diet consumption but not after consumption of a fatty acid–rich ketogenic diet lacking carbohydrates, suggesting impaired diet-induced thermogenesis, particularly by fat. In conclusion, O-GlcNAc modification is essential for cold-induced thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis in BAT. Glucose flux into BAT may be a signal to maintain BAT physiological responses.

Objective: SGLT2 inhibitors reduce body weight (BW) due to negative energy balance. Although previous reports suggested that SGLT2 inhibitor improved liver dysfunction and steatosis, the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitor on intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) were merely quantified. Methods: The study was an open label randomized controlled trial. Fifty-two overweight patients (BMI > 23) who had inadequate glycemic control with oral antidiabetic agents were randomly assigned to dapagliflozin (Dapa) or standard treatment (Con) and followed for 24 weeks. The Primary endpoint was the change in BW from baseline to week 24 between the two groups. The secondary endpoint was IHTG which was assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Results: The change in BW was significantly larger in Dapa group compared to Con. The mean difference in changes between two groups was -1.72 kg (95% CI: -2.85, -0.59, p = 0.004) which was comparable with the previous studies of Caucasians. IHTG measured with MRS was significantly reduced in Dapa group (p = 0.033). Conclusion: Dapagliflozin treatment for 24 weeks resulted in reduction of BW and IHTG. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of dapagliflozin for patients with NAFLD. Clinical study registration number: UMIN000020239. Disclosure K. Morino: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, CMIC Pharma Science, Miki Corp., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sunstar Inc. K. Kondo: None. S. Tanaka: None. I. Miyazawa: None. K. Fuse: None. S. Ida: None. H. Arima: Consultant; Self; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Teijin Pharma Limited. K. Miura: None. N. Ohashi: None. S. Ugi: None. H. Maegawa: Research Support; Self; Antares Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Funding AstraZeneca; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Objective: Weight gain is a common problem in the insulin treatment. SGLT2 inhibitors are expected to reduce body weight (BW) due to negative energy balance. Previous reports suggested that BW reduction is achieved mainly by loss of body fat, and ∼20% of reduction is by lean mass. However, the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitor on BW and body composition remains unclear. We examined these in the Japanese T2DM treated with insulin. Methods: The study was an open label randomized controlled trial. Primary endpoint was the change in BW from baseline to week 24 between the two groups. Fifty overweight patients (BMI > 23) who had inadequate glycemic control with insulin treatment were randomly assigned to ipragliflozin (Ipra) or standard treatment (Con) and followed for 24 weeks. Body composition was assessed by DEXA and impedance method. Results: The change in BW was significantly larger in Ipra compared to Con. Ipra showed significant larger reduction of HbA1c. Total fat mass was reduced in the Ipra compared to Con mainly due to lower limb fat and trunk fat. Total muscle mass was maintained at lower limbs and trunk but tended to be reduced at arm in Ipra. Conclusion: Ipragliflozin treatment for 24 weeks resulted in reduction of BW mainly due to fat mass at lower limb and trunk. Reduction of the muscle mass at lower limb may be protected by anti-gravity effect. Disclosure K. Morino: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc., AstraZeneca, Sunstar Inc., CMIC Pharmascience, Kowa Pharmaceutical. H. Inoue: None. K. Fuse: None. S. Tanaka: None. K. Kondo: None. H. Arima: Advisory Panel; Self; Kyowa Kirin. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Takeda Japan, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. K. Miura: None. D. Sato: None. N. Ohashi: None. S. Ida: None. I. Miyazawa: None. O. Sekine: None. S. Ugi: Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MSD K.K. H. Maegawa: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Research Support; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Research Support; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. Research Support; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Eli Lilly and Company.

Background: Mitochondria play an essential role in the heat generation in beige adipocytes. Their number and function are regulated in response to external stimuli such as cold exposure and beta-3 adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) agonist. Previously, we have reported that miR-494 regulates mitochondrial biogenesis in the skeletal muscle. However, this remains unknown in beige adipocytes. Aim: We investigated the role of miR-494 on mitochondrial biogenesis during adipogenesis and browning. Result: C57BL/6J mice were subjected to intermittent mild cold exposure. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α) and mitochondrial proteins including mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase (MTCO1) and uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) were strongly increased in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). On the contrary, that of miR-494 resulted in 27% reduction (p < 0.05) in iWAT following 12°C cold exposure for 6 hours. Furthermore, β3-AR stimulation potently reduced miR-494 expression in 3T3-L1 beige cells. Overexpression of miR-494 substantially reduced the protein expression of PGC1-α and its downstream targets such asTFAM and MTCO1 (p < 0.05). In contrast, antisense of miR-494 significantly increased the expression of TFAM, MTCO1 and PDH (p < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-494 strongly decreased the oxygen consumption rate in 3T3-L1 beige cells and protein expression of PGC1-α and Ucp1 (p < 0.05) in primary beige adipocytes. Finally, we explored the direct target of miR-494 and found that 3`UTR region of PGC1-α is a direct target of miR-494 by luciferase assay. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that miR-494 directly inhibits the expression of PGC1-α in adipose tissue. The decreased miR-494 expression during adipocyte differentiation removes its inhibitory effect, leading to stimulation of Ucp1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis. Disclosure M. Lemecha: None. K. Morino: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc., AstraZeneca, Sunstar Inc., CMIC Pharmascience, Kowa Pharmaceutical. T. Imamura: None. H. Iwasaki: None. N. Ohashi: None. H. Yamamoto: None. S. Ugi: Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MSD K.K. H. Maegawa: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Research Support; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Research Support; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. Research Support; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Eli Lilly and Company.

O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification that is characterized by the addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt). The degree of O-GlcNAcylation is thought to be associated with glucotoxicity and diabetic complications, because GlcNAc is produced by a branch of the glycolytic pathway. However, its role in skeletal muscle has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we created skeletal muscle-specific Ogt knockout (Ogt-MKO) mice and analyzed their glucose metabolism. During an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, blood glucose was slightly lower in Ogt-MKO mice than in control Ogt-flox mice. High fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance were reversed in Ogt-MKO mice. In addition, 12-month-old Ogt-MKO mice had lower adipose and body mass. A single bout of exercise significantly reduced blood glucose in Ogt-MKO mice, probably because of higher AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) protein expression. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an AMPK activator, resulted in a more marked decrease in blood glucose levels in Ogt-MKO mice than in controls. Finally, Ogt knockdown by siRNA in C2C12 myotubes significantly increased protein expression of AMPKα, glucose uptake and oxidation. In conclusion, loss of O-GlcNAcylation facilitates glucose utilization in skeletal muscle, potentially through AMPK activation. The inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation in skeletal muscle may have an anti-diabetic effect, through an enhancement of glucose utilization during exercise.

Dumping syndrome, or rapid gastric emptying, is a frequent complication after gastric surgery. In this case, the patient was a 47-year-old woman who 10 years previously had undergone distal gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction for early-stage gastric cancer. She presented with symptoms of weakness, headache, palpitation, sweating, dizziness and significant fatigue between one and two hours after a meal. Because a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75 g-OGTT) induced both acute postprandial tachycardia (within 1 hour) and postprandial hypoglycemia, we diagnosed this patient with early and late dumping syndrome. Dietary measures and acarbose improved symptoms of late dumping syndrome but did not prevent the symptoms of early dumping syndrome such as postprandial tachycardia, weakness, headache, palpitation, and dizziness. We therefore used the somatostatin analogue octreotide, which has been reported as an effective therapy for early dumping syndrome. Octreotide prevented the symptoms of early dumping syndrome, especially postprandial tachycardia, but caused postprandial hyperglycemia. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) were completely suppressed during the 75 g-OGTT following subcutaneous injection of octreotide. No change was observed in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), which is the gastrointestinal peptide hormone generally responsible for early dumping syndrome, suggesting possible contribution of incretins in early dumping syndrome of this patient.

O-GlcNAcylation is characterised by the addition of N-acetylglucosamine to various proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and serves in sensing intracellular nutrients by modulating various cellular processes. Although it has been speculated that O-GlcNAcylation is associated with glucose metabolism, its exact role in whole body glucose metabolism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated whether loss of O-GlcNAcylation globally and in specific organs affected glucose metabolism in mammals under physiological conditions. Tamoxifen-inducible global Ogt-knockout (Ogt-KO) mice were generated by crossbreeding Ogt-flox mice with R26-Cre-ERT2 mice. Liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and pancreatic beta cell-specific Ogt-KO mice were generated by crossbreeding Ogt-flox mice with Alb-Cre, Mlc1f-Cre, Adipoq-Cre and Pdx1 PB-CreER™ mice, respectively. Glucose metabolism was evaluated by i.p. glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Tamoxifen-inducible global Ogt-KO mice exhibited a lethal phenotype from 4 weeks post injection, suggesting that O-GlcNAcylation is essential for survival in adult mice. Tissue-specific Ogt deletion from insulin-sensitive organs, including liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, had little impact on glucose metabolism under physiological conditions. However, pancreatic beta cell-specific Ogt-KO mice displayed transient hypoglycaemia (Ogt-flox 5.46 ± 0.41 vs Ogt-βKO 3.88 ± 0.26 mmol/l) associated with about twofold higher insulin secretion and accelerated adiposity, followed by subsequent hyperglycaemia (Ogt-flox 6.34 ± 0.32 vs Ogt-βKO 26.4 ± 2.37 mmol/l) with insulin depletion accompanied by beta cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that O-GlcNAcylation has little effect on glucose metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues but plays a crucial role in pancreatic beta cell function and survival under physiological conditions. Our results provide novel insight into O-GlcNAc biology and physiology in glucose metabolism.

Adipose tissues considerably influence metabolic homeostasis, and both white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue play significant roles in lipid and glucose metabolism.

A foot ulcer due to diabetes and/or arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) frequently results in an intractable condition that resists treatment. To cope with this condition, we have developed a combination therapy that includes conventional conservative therapy plus surgical therapy. This aggressive conservative therapy using aggressive debridement, trafermin (Fiblast Spray, Kaken, Japan) treatment and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy was adopted to treat seven patients suffering from diabetes and ASO-related refractory foot ulcer accompanied by bone exposure. With the exception of one patient who died during the treatment, the remaining six patients obtained limb salvage. The mean time to cure was 8.3 months. This approach should be considered before amputation. Some patients may refuse amputation or cannot tolerate highly invasive surgical treatment including tissue transplantation. In such cases, this aggressive conservative therapy can be employed as a highly useful and reproducible technique requiring simple techniques.

With our method, general improvement is obtained as compared with traditional split-thickness skin grafting of the radial forearm flap donor site. As our method is simple and easy, the same results can be obtained wherever and by whomever it is performed.The radial forearm flap is associated with complications of graft take and a poor aesthetic appearance despite its usefulness in reconstructing the oral cavity and oropharynx. We describe a simple technique for improvement of the radial forearm donor site.We studied 12 patients who underwent reconstruction with radial forearm free flaps following resection of oral or oropharyngeal tumors. We covered the donor site defect using traditional split-thickness skin grafts and performed aftercare with a hydrocolloid dressing and an adhesive sponge to retain moisture and apply compression. After the treatment series, color matching, texture matching, depressive deformity, and hypertrophic scar were evaluated.The results of comprehensive evaluation of the two patients with premature discontinuation of compression were good. One patient was assigned only 1 point for hypertrophic scar, and another only 1 point for color match. The evaluation of the other 10 patients was excellent.

上顎は鼻腔や口腔と隣接し，かつ顔面の輪郭を構成する非常に重要な部分である。腫瘍切除後の再建においては機能面のみならず，整容面に対しても最大限の配慮が必要である。現在われわれの上顎癌切除後の再建の基本方針は，1）遊離腹直筋皮弁を用いて，眼窩部，鼻腔外側，口蓋部の再建を行う。2）硬性再建については，皮下脂肪の少ない患者では肋軟骨付き遊離腹直筋皮弁で，多い患者では人工骨による再建を行う。3）義眼床に関しては，術後1年程で移植組織の萎縮が落ち着いた段階で行う。機能的な工夫として二期的再建の場合に，頬部裏面に再生した粘膜をhinge flapとして鼻腔のliningとしている。これにより，鼻腔外側を皮膚で再建することによる不快な合併症に悩まされることはなくなった。整容的な面においては，義眼床形成例では動的再建を追加することにより，外眼角部に自然な皺が形成され，より自然な笑顔が得られている。

Background To treat pincer nail, both conservative therapy and surgical therapy have been reported. However, there is no consensus about the best method of treatment. Objective The use of a splint prepared from an aspiration tube after pincer nail surgery is introduced. Methods Pincer nail was treated by surgery with splinting in seven patients (nine toes). Results Nine toes from seven patients were evaluated. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 37 months (mean 17.7 months). An excellent result was obtained in eight toes, but ingrowth of the nail occurred in one toe. The cosmetic improvement was marked and satisfactory. Conclusion This splint is cheap and easy to make, can prevent contracture of the nail matrix and nail bed, can reduce pain, and allows direct observation of the nail bed because it is transparent. Thus, this technique seems to be convenient and useful. TOSHIYUKI OZAWA, MD, TETSUJI YABE, MD, NATSUKO OHASHI, MD, TERUICHI HARADA, MD, MICHINARI MURAOKA, MD, AND MASAMITSU ISHII, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.