ABSTRACT Background: Bile acids (BAs) are steroid molecules synthesized exclusively in the liver, being end products of cholesterol catabolism. BAs are known to be involved in several metabolic alterations, including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). DM2 is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by insulin resistance, insulin deficiency due to insufficient production of pancreatic ß-cells, and elevated serum glucose levels leading to multiple complications. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the role of BAs in the pathophysiology of DM2, highlighting the possibilities in the development of therapeutic procedures targeting BAs as an optional pathway in the treatment of DM2. Methods: The research was carried out through narrative review and publications on the relationship between BAs and DM2. The databases used for the search include PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The keywords used for the search include bile acids, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic disorders. Results: The studies have reported the involvement of BAs in the pathophysiology of DM2. BAs act as a ligand for the nuclear farnesoid X receptor, regulating glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and cellular energy production. Additionally, BAs modulate the production, elimination, and mobilization of BAs through the farnesoid X receptor. BAs also act as a signaling pathway through Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5, further contributing to metabolic regulation. These findings suggest that targeting BAs may offer a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of DM2. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of BAs in DM2, specifically through their interactions with key metabolic pathways. Targeting BAs may represent an innovative and effective approach to the treatment of DM2.

RESUMO Contexto: Os ácidos biliares (ABs) são moléculas esteróides sintetizadas exclusivamente no fígado, sendo produtos finais do catabolismo do colesterol. Os ABs são conhecidos por estarem envolvidos em várias alterações metabólicas, incluindo a síndrome metabólica e o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). A DM2 é uma doença crônica degenerativa caracterizada pela resistência insulínica, deficiência de insulina devido à produção insuficiente de células ß pancreáticas e hiperglicemia levando a múltiplas complicações. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o papel dos ABs na fisiopatologia da DM2, destacando as possibilidades no desenvolvimento de procedimentos terapêuticos visando os ABs como uma via opcional no tratamento da DM2. Métodos: A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de revisão narrativa e publicações sobre a relação entre ABs e DM2. As bases de dados usadas para a pesquisa incluem PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science. As palavras-chave usadas para a pesquisa incluíram: ácidos biliares, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, síndrome metabólica e distúrbios metabólicos. Resultados: Os estudos relataram o envolvimento dos ABs na fisiopatologia da DM2. Os ABs atuam como ligantes para o receptor nuclear farnesoide X, regulando o metabolismo da glicose, metabolismo lipídico e produção de energia celular. Além disso, os ABs regulam a produção, eliminação e mobilização de ABs através do receptor farnesoide X. Os ABs também atuam como uma via de sinalização através do receptor acoplado à proteína G Takeda 5, contribuindo ainda mais para a regulação metabólica. Esses achados sugerem que o ABs pode oferecer uma nova abordagem terapêutica no tratamento da DM2. Conclusão: Este estudo destaca o papel importante do ABs na DM2, especificamente por meio de suas interações com vias metabólicas-chave. O redirecionamento ao ABs pode representar uma abordagem inovadora e eficaz para o tratamento da DM2.

ABSTRACT Background: Nonalcoholic fatty pancreatic disease (NAFPD) is an increase of fat in the pancreas, and has an important association with insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research has confirmed that the triglyceridemia/glycemia (TyG) index determines IR as much as does the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp assessment as the homeostasis model testing of IR (HOMA-IR). Objective: To evaluate the association between degree of NAFPD and TyG index. Methods: In 72 patients undergoing ultrasound of abdomen with a diagnosis of NAFPD, insulin, glucose, and triglycerides levels were evaluated. The HOMA-IR and TyG indexes were used as a reference for IR. The degrees of NAFPD and the TyG index were presented through the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves in order to evaluate the association between different degrees of NAFPD, and the correlation of NAFPD with HOMA-IR was also evaluated. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between the degree of NAFPD and the TyG index. The AUROC curve for the TyG index for predicting the degree of NADPD was 0.855 (0.840-0.865). The intensity-adjusted probabilities of the degree of NAFPD were more strongly associated with TyG values when compared with HOMA-IR. Conclusion: In this study the TyG index correlated positively with the degree of NAFPD, performing better than HOMA-IR.

RESUMO Contexto: A doença pancreática gordurosa não alcoólica (DPGNA) é um aumento de gordura pancreática, e tem uma importante associação com a resistência à insulina (RI) e com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Pesquisas confirmaram que o índice triglicérides/glicemia (TyG) determina a RI tanto quanto a avaliação da clamp hiperinsulinêmico-euglicêmico como o teste do modelo de homeostasia da RI (HOMA-IR). Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre o grau de DPGNA e o índice TyG. Métodos: Em 72 pacientes submetidos a ultrassonografia do abdome com diagnóstico de DPGNA, foram avaliados os níveis de insulina, glicose e triglicérides. Os índices HOMA-IR e TyG foram usados como referência para RI. Os graus de DGPNA e o índice TyG foram apresentados através da curva ROC com o objetivo de avaliar a associação entre diferentes graus de DPGNA, e a correlação do DGPNA com o HOMA-IR também foi avaliada. Resultados: Houve uma correlação estatisticamente significativa entre o grau de DPGNA e o índice TyG. A curva AUROC para o índice TyG para prever o grau do NADPD foi 0,855 (0,840-0,865). As probabilidades ajustadas de intensidade do grau de NAFPD foram mais fortemente associadas aos valores de TyG quando comparadas com o HOMA-IR. Conclusão: Neste estudo, o índice TyG correlacionou-se positivamente com o grau de DPGNA, tendo um desempenho melhor que o índice HOMA-IR.

Bile acids (BAs) are steroid molecules that have a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic end, and are synthesized exclusively in the liver, being end product of cholesterol catabolism. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a chronic degenerative disease, with a pathophysiology characterized by insulin resistance (IR), insulin deficiency due to insufficient production of pancreatic ß-cells, and elevated serum glucose levels leading to multiple complications. BAs are related to several metabolic alterations, including metabolic syndrome and DM2. It is currently known that BAs act as a ligand for the nuclear farnesoid X receptor, a receptor with an important role in glucose metabolism, lipids and cellular energy production, as well as in the regulation of production, elimination and mobilization of BAs. BAs have also been reported to act as a signaling pathway through of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5. In this manuscript, we describe the interface between BAs and metabolic disorders, in particular DM2, including discussing possibilities in the development of therapeutic procedures targeting BAs as an optional pathway in the treatment of DM2.

Contact with viruses which have an aminoacid (AA) sequence simile to that of the auto-antigens can lead to autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible individuals. SARS-CoV-2 has been implied as a possible causer of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), however, no consistent evidence yet that SARS-CoV-2 take to DM1 on your own initiative. Objective: Evaluate the possible similarity between the AA sequences of human insulin and human glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) with SARS-CoV-2/COVID proteins, to explain the possible trigger of DM1. Methods: AA sequences of the human insulin (4F0N), GAD65 (2OKK), and SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-Cov2 S protein at open state (7DDN), SARS-Cov2 S protein at close state (7DDD), SARS CoV-2 Spike protein (6ZB5), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal RNA binding domain (6M3M), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein C-terminal RNA binding domain (7DE1), Crystal Structure of NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 (7K3N), and SARS-CoV-2 S trimer (7DK3)) available in the Protein Data Bank were compared using the Pairwise Structure Alignment. Results: Sequence identity percentage (SI%) and sequence similarity percentage (SS%) were found among the 4F0N, 2OKK and SARS-CoV-2. The SI% between the 4F0N and SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 4.76% to 14.29% and SS% ranged from 5.00% to 45.45%, distributed like this: 4F0N and 7DDN = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57; 4F0N and 7DDD = SI% 14.39 and SS% 23.81; 4F0N and 6ZB5 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57; 4F0N and 6M3M = SI% 5.00 and SS% 5;00; 4F0N and 7DE1 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 9.21; 4F0N and 7K3N = SI% 9.09 and SS% 45.45; 4F0N and 7DK3 = SI% 4.76 and SS% 28.57. The SI% between the between the 2OKK and SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 3.19% to 6,70% and SS% ranged from 10.45 % to 22.22%, distributed like this: 2OKK and 7DDN = SI% 6.70 and SS% 15.64; 2OKK and 7DDD = SI% 7.53 and SS% 18.84; 2OKK and 6ZB5 = SI% 6.68 and SS% 17.38; 2OKK and 6M3M = SI% 4.48 and SS% 10.45; 2OKK and 7DE1 = SI% 6.67 and SS% 22.22; 2OKK and 7K3N = SI% 3.19 and SS% 15.97; 2OKK and 7DK3 = SI% 3.95 and 17.98. Conclusion: Immunoinformatics data suggest a potential pathogenic link between DM1 and SARS-CoV-2/COVID. Thus, by means of molecular mimicking we check that sequences similarity among SARS-CoV-2/COVID and human insulin and human glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 may lead to production of an immune cross-response to self-antigens, with breakage of self-tolerance that can trigger DM1.

O contato com vírus que têm uma sequência de aminoácidos (AA) semelhante à dos autoantígenos podem desencadear doenças autoimunes em indivíduos geneticamente suscetíveis. SARS-CoV-2 foi sugerido como um possível causador de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 de início recente (DM1), no entanto, não há evidências consistentes de que o SARS-CoV-2 possa desencadear DM1. Objetivo: Avaliar a possível semelhança entre as sequências AA da insulina humana e da descarboxilase-65 do ácido glutâmico humano (GAD65) com as proteínas SARS-CoV-2 / COVID, para explicar o possível desencadeamento do DM1. Métodos: Sequências de AA da insulina humana (4F0N), GAD65 (2OKK) e SARS-CoV-2 SARS-Cov2 S protein at open state (7DDN), SARS-Cov2 S protein at close state (7DDD), SARS CoV-2 Spike protein (6ZB5), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal RNA binding domain (6M3M), Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein C-terminal RNA binding domain (7DE1), Crystal Structure of NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 (7K3N), and SARS-CoV-2 S trimer (7DK3)) nbsp;disponíveis no Protein Data Bank foram comparadas utilizando o Pairwise Structure Alignment. Resultados: O percentual de identidade de sequências (SI%) e o percentual de similaridade de sequências (SS%) foram encontrados entre o 4F0N, 2OKK e o SARS-CoV-2. O SI% entre o 4F0N e o SARS-CoV-2 variou de 4,76% a 14,29% e o SS% variou de 5,00% a 45,45%, assim distribuídos: 4F0N e 7DDN = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57; 4F0N e 7DDD = SI% 14,39 e SS% 23,81; 4F0N e 6ZB5 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57; 4F0N e 6M3M = SI% 5,00 e SS% 5; 00; 4F0N e 7DE1 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 9,21; 4F0N e 7K3N = SI% 9,09 e SS% 45,45; 4F0N e 7DK3 = SI% 4,76 e SS% 28,57. O SI% entre o 2OKK e o SARS-CoV-2 variou de 3,19% a 6,70% e o SS% variou de 10,45% a 22,22%, assim distribuídos: 2OKK e 7DDN = SI% 6,70 e SS% 15,64; 2OKK e 7DDD = SI% 7,53 e SS% 18,84; 2OKK e 6ZB5 = SI% 6,68 e SS% 17,38; 2OKK e 6M3M = SI% 4,48 e SS% 10,45; 2OKK e 7DE1 = SI% 6,67 e SS% 22,22; 2OKK e 7K3N = SI% 3,19 e SS% 15,97; 2OKK e 7DK3 = SI% 3,95 e 17,98. Conclusão: Os dados de imunoinformática sugerem uma potencial ligação patogênica entre SARS-CoV-2 / COVID e o DM1. Assim, por meio de mimetização molecular, verificamos que a similaridade das sequências de AA entre SARS-CoV-2 / COVID e insulina humana e a descarboxilase-65 do ácido glutâmico humano pode levar à produção de uma resposta cruzada imunológica para autoantígenos, com quebra de auto-tolerância, podendo desencadear o DM1.

Aneurisma da artéria hepática (AAH) foi relatado pela primeira vez através de autópsia em 1809, representa um quinto dos aneurismas viscerais, e a mortalidade por ruptura espontânea é alta na maioria dos casos. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 48 anos de idade com um AAH extra-hepático assintomático, diagnosticado inicialmente, e incidentalmente, com ultrassonografia abdominal e confirmado através de angiorressonância tridimensional e angiografia contrastada. O tratamento endovascular foi considerado viável, sendo tratada com sucesso através de embolização com molas.

Hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) was first reported at autopsy in 1809, represents one fifth of visceral aneurysms and the mortality from spontaneous rupture is high in most of cases. We are reporting a case of an asymptomatic 48-year-old woman with an extrahepatic HAA, diagnosed initially and incidentally with abdominal ultrasonography, confirmed by a three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Endovascular treatment was considered feasible and was successfully treated with coil embolization.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of thyroid disorders (TD) in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and during interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin (RIB) treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 65 anti-HCV and viral RNA positive patients. Free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) were systematically tested at entry (m0), week 12 (m3) and week 24 (m6) of treatment. RESULTS: Mean age of the 65 patients (38 females and 27 males) was 49.61 ± 11.83 years. Seven (10.76%) patients presented baseline thyroid disorders (m0), three had thyroid dysfunction, and four were TPO-Ab positive. Thyroid disorders occurred in the first 12 weeks of treatment in 11 (16.92%) patients, four with thyroid dysfunction, and seven with TPO-Ab positive (m3). A total of 18 patients (27.69%) developed TD after 24 weeks of treatment, 7 with thyroid dysfunction, and 11 with TPO-Ab positive (m6). The relative risk of developing hypothyroidism found in this study was 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.6), hyperthyroidism 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.4), and TPO-Ab positivity 7.6 (95% CI: 3.9 to 14.5). The study showed a significant association between female sex and thyroid disease (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune TD were observed during IFN-α and RIB therapy.

Cryoglobulinemia and non-organ-specific-autoantibody are biomarkers of autoimmunity of the chronic infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). In this work, we report the association between the presence of smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) and cryoglobulinemia and chronic liver disease in HCV carriers. Sixty-five untreated HCV patients, 38 women and 27 men were included in this study. Cryoglobulinemia was tested by cryoprecipitation, SMA by indirect fluorescent antibody test, and liver fibrosis and hepatocellular inflammation activity was investigated by histology of liver biopsy using the METAVIR score. The prevalence of SMA in the patients was 33.8% and cryoglobulinemia was demonstrated in 36.9% patients. Cryoglobulinemia and SMA seropositivity was associated with advanced fibrosis (p < 0.05). The presence of SMA and cryoglobulinemia was not associated with hepatocellular inflammation activity, age, carrier gender or HCV genotype. We concluded that liver biopsy should be recommended for HCV carriers that are seropositive for SMA or cryoglobulinemia.

A síndrome de Bardet-Biedl (BBS) é uma desordem autossômica recessiva rara, com heterogeneidade clínica e genética. Esta síndrome foi descrita pela primeira vez por Laurence e Moon em 1866 e outros casos foram descritos por Bardet e Biedl entre 1920 e 1922. As principais características são obesidade, polidactilia, retinopatia pigmentar, dificuldades de aprendizagem, graus de deficiência intelectual diversos, hipogonadismo e anomalias renais. Síndrome de Bardet-Biedl é fenotipicamente e geneticamente heterogêneos. O diagnóstico clínico baseia-se na presença de quatro dos cinco sinais principais da síndrome. Os autores apresentam um caso típico de retinopatia pigmentar devido à síndrome de Bardet-Biedl e fazem uma breve revisão sobre as manifestações da síndrome com especial atenção à retinopatia pigmentar.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with clinical and genetic heterogeneity. This syndrome was first described by Laurence and Moon in 1866 and additional cases were described by Bardet and Biedl between 1920 and 1922. The main features are obesity, polydactyly, pigmentary retinopathy, learning disabilities, various degrees of intellectual impairment, hypogonadism, and renal abnormalities. Bardet-Biedl syndrome is both phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. Clinical diagnosis is based on the presence of 4 of the 5 cardinal features. The authors present a typical case of pigmentary retinopathy due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome and made a brief commentary about the disease's cardinal manifestations.