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See the response from Zhao et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of regulatory T cells (Treg), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. We performed a comprehensive search up to July 2016 for all clinical studies about the changes of Treg, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, and TNF-α in T2DM patients versus healthy controls. Results. A total of 91 articles (5642 cases and 7378 controls) were included for this meta-analysis. Compared with the controls (all p<0.001), the patients had increased serum levels of IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α but decreased the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and serum IL-10 level. Furthermore, the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg (p<0.001) and serum IL-10 level (p=0.033) were significantly lower in the patients with complication and in the patients without complication, respectively. No significant changes about the percentage of CD4+CD25+Treg (p=0.360) and serum IL-17 level (p=0.459) were found in T2DM patients. Conclusions. T2DM patients have decreased the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and levels of serum IL-10 but elevated serum levels of IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α. Presence of diabetic complications further lowers the peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of dual blockage of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on renal kallikrein expression and inflammatory response in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 rats in each group: normal control; DN model induced by high fat and high sucrose diets; and DN treated with either benazepril 10 mg/kg/d, irbesartan 30 mg/kg/d, or both. After 8-week treatment, we examined changes in the kidney histopathology, function and immunohistochemical stain of kallikrein, macrophage marker CD68, and profibrotic markers transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β and α-smooth muscle action (SMA). Results. DN rats showed enlarged kidneys with glomerulosclerosis, interstitial chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and proteinuria. All the pathological damage and functional impairments were improved after the RAS blockades (all P<0.05). Compared with monotherapy, combined treatment further alleviated the kidney impairments in parallel to increased tubular immunoreactivity for kallikrein and decreased immunopositive cells for CD68, TGF-β, and α-SMA. Conclusion. The renoprotective effects of the dual RAS blockade in diabetic nephropathy may be attributed to improved tubular kallikrein expression and interstitial inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction Type 2 diabetes is characterized by dysregulation of immunity, oxidative stress and reduced incretin effects. Experimental studies suggest that glucagon-like peptide ( GLP-1) might have immunomodulating effects. We hypothesize that GLP-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, might reduce inflammatory response in type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) sampled from 10 type 2 diabetes and 10 sex- and age-matched control subjects and supernatants from PBMC culture, the expression of phospho-mitogen activated protein kinase ( MAPK) signaling pathways in CD4+ T helper lymphocytes and monocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry. Cytokines/chemokines and superoxide anion before and after treatment with exendin-4 were measured by cytometric bead array and chemiluminesence assay, respectively. Results Compared with control subjects, PBMC from type 2 diabetes patients showed activated MAPK ( P38, c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signaling pathway, elevated superoxide anion, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6) and chemokines ( CCL5/regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted and CXCL10/interferon-γ-induced protein 10). These changes were attenuated by exendin-4, possibly through the suppression of p38 MAPK. Conclusions These results suggest that exendin-4 might downregulate pro-inflammatory responses and reduce oxidative stress by suppressing MAPK signaling pathways in type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a response to the article by Eric McDade [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning research into the lifestyle characteristics and dietary intake of centenarians living in the Bama Yao Autonomous County in Guangxi Province, China which speculates healthy eating habits and balanced nutrition is behind their longevity.