Dandan Wang

Bio: Dandan Wang is an academic researcher from Peking University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fundus (eye) & Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 3 citations.

The Relationship between Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction and Ocular Abnormality in Chinese T2DM

Abstract: Objective. This study aims to explore the relationship between autonomic nerve dysfunction—assessed by cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy risk score (CAN-RS)—and ocular abnormality in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Method. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 335 subjects with T2DM were enrolled. The state of visual acuity, the lens, the vitreous, and the fundus were tested by professional ophthalmic instruments. The electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) of the hands and feet was measured by SUDOSCAN, from which a cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy risk score (CAN-RS) was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of CAN-RS in diabetic oculopathy screening. Results. Abnormalities of the lens, vitreous, and fundus accounted for 7.8%, 5.1%, and 9.9%, respectively, in this study. The means of hands and feet ESC were higher than 60 μS, and CAN-RS was 33.1 ± 14.8%. In logistic regression analysis, CAN-RS was positively associated with lens (OR = 1.055, ) and vitreous (OR = 1.044, ) abnormality. The area under ROC to detect lens and vitreous abnormality was 0.713 and 0.725, respectively. Conclusion. CAN-RS, a cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunction index calculated by SUDOSCAN, may be a promising index for lens and vitreous abnormality screening in T2DM patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the conclusion.

Combination of GLP-1 Receptor Activation and Glucagon Blockage Promotes Pancreatic β-Cell Regeneration In Situ in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

Abstract: Pancreatic β-cell neogenesis in vivo holds great promise for cell replacement therapy in diabetic patients, and discovering the relevant clinical therapeutic strategies would push it forward to clinical application. Liraglutide, a widely used antidiabetic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, has displayed diverse β-cell-protective effects in type 2 diabetic animals. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) monoclonal antibody (mAb), a preclinical agent that blocks glucagon pathway, can promote recovery of functional β-cell mass in type 1 diabetic mice. Here, we conducted a 4-week treatment of the two drugs alone or in combination in type 1 diabetic mice. Although liraglutide neither lowered the blood glucose level nor increased the plasma insulin level, the immunostaining showed that liraglutide expanded β-cell mass through self-replication, differentiation from precursor cells, and transdifferentiation from pancreatic α cells to β cells. The pancreatic β-cell mass increased more significantly after GCGR mAb treatment, while the combination group did not further increase the pancreatic β-cell area. However, compared with the GCGR mAb group, the combined treatment reduced the plasma glucagon level and increased the proportion of β cells/α cells. Our study evaluated the effect of liraglutide, GCGR mAb monotherapy, or combined strategy in glucose control and islet β-cell regeneration and provided useful clues for the future clinical application in type 1 diabetes.

Sudomotor function testing by electrochemical skin conductance: does it really measure sudomotor function?

Abstract: Electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) is a non-invasive test of sweat function developed as a potential marker of small fiber neuropathy. Here we systematically review the evolution of this device and the data obtained from studies of ESC across different diseases. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were searched through to February 2018. The search strategy included the following terms: “electrochemical skin conductance,” “EZSCAN,” and “Sudoscan.” The data values provided by each paper were extracted, where available, and input into tabular and figure data for direct comparison. Thirty-seven studies were included this systematic review. ESC did not change by age or gender, and there was significant variability in ESC values between diseases, some of which exceeded control values. Longitudinal studies of disease demonstrated changes in ESC that were not biologically plausible. Of the 37 studies assessed, 25 received support from the device manufacturer. The extracted data did not agree with other published normative values. Prior studies do not support claims that ESC is a measure of small fiber sensory function or autonomic function. Although many papers report significant differences in ESC values between disease and control subjects, the compiled data assessed in this review raises questions about the technique. Many of the published results violate biologic plausibility. A single funding source with a vested interest in the study outcomes has supported most of the studies. Normative values are inconsistent across publications, and large combined data sets do not support a high sensitivity and specificity. Finally, there is insufficient evidence supporting the claim that Sudoscan tests sudomotor or sensory nerve fiber function.

Crosstalk Between Insulin- and Glucagon-Receptor Signaling in the Hepatocyte.

Abstract: While the consumption of external energy (i.e., feeding) is essential to life, this action induces a temporary disturbance of homeostasis in an animal. A primary example of this effect is found in the regulation of glycemia. In the fasted state, stored energy is released to maintain physiological glycemic levels. Liver glycogen is liberated to glucose, glycerol and (glucogenic) amino acids are used to build new glucose molecules (i.e., gluconeogenesis), and fatty acids are oxidized to fuel long-term energetic demands. This regulation is primarily driven by the counterregulatory hormones, epinephrine, growth hormone, cortisol, and glucagon. Conversely, feeding induces a rapid influx of diverse nutrients including glucose that disrupt homeostasis. Consistently, a host of hormonal and neural systems under the coordination of insulin are engaged in the transition from fasting to prandial states to reduce this disruption. The ultimate action of these systems is to appropriately store the newly acquired energy and to return to the homeostatic norm. Thus, at first glance it is tempting to assume that glucagon is solely antagonistic regarding the anabolic effects of insulin. We have been intrigued by the role of glucagon in the prandial transition and have attempted to delineate its role as beneficial or inhibitory to glycemic control. The following review highlights this long known yet poorly understood hormone.

Is sudoscan a reliable tool in detecting small fiber neuropathy in Parkinson's disease patients?

Abstract: Aim: Previous studies have revealed uncertainties concerning the utility of sudoscan in identifying small fiber neuropathy in Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients & methods: We searched for a significant reduction of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) in 67 PD patients versus 66 controls with similar characteristics. We conducted analysis of the subgroups of PD patients without diabetes using sudoscan technology. Results: There is no discrimination between patients and controls relative to feet ESC, the modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale and/or Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. ESC in patients did not differ significantly according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score. The oldest PD patients with cardiovascular risk factors have more marked small fibers dysfunction. Conclusion: The sudoscan procedure did not show advantage in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy. Its diagnostic value increases in some subgroups of patients with cardiovascular co-morbidity.