Chromogranin A: a surprising link between granule biogenesis and hypertension
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: Kim, T; Loh, YP
Abstract
Chromogranin A (CHGA) and its derived peptides, which are stored and released from dense-core secretory granules of neuroendocrine cells, have been implicated as playing multiple roles in the endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. In this issue of the JCI, Mahapatra et al. present in vivo evidence for 2 important functions of CHGA: the regulation of catecholamine-containing dense-core chromaffin granule biogenesis in the adrenal gland and the control of blood pressure (see the related article beginning on page 1942). Obliteration of CHGA expression in a KO mouse model led to decreased size and number of chromaffin granules as well as hypertension in these animals. Transgenic expression of human Chga and exogenous injection of human catestatin, a CHGA-derived nicotinic cholinergic antagonist, restored normal blood pressure in these mice. These results suggest a coupled relationship between CHGA-mediated chromaffin granule biogenesis, necessary for catecholamine storage, and catestatin-induced inhibition of cholinergic-stimulated catecholamine release, which regulates autonomic control of blood pressure.
Impact of glycemic control on oral health status in type 2 diabetes individuals and its association with salivary and plasma levels of chromogranin A
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
Authors: Kogawa, Evelyn Mikaela; Grisi, Daniela Correa; Falcao, Denise Pinheiro; Amorim, Ingrid Aquino; Berto Rezende, Taia Maria; Rodrigues da Silva, Izabel Cristina; Silva, Osmar Nascimento; Franco, Octavio Luiz; Batista de Amorim, Rivadavio Fernandes
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of glycemic control status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals on clinical oral health indicators and to compare the concentrations of plasma and salivary chromogranin A (CHGA) among nondiabetic subjects and T2DM patients, exploring their associations. Design: In this cross-sectional study, 32 patients with controlled T2DM, 31 with poorly controlled T2DM and 37 nondiabetic subjects underwent a clinical and periodontal examination. CHGA concentrations were determined in saliva and plasma with ELISA. Results: Poorly controlled T2DM group exhibited significantly higher mean buffering capacity, plaque index and bleeding on probing than other groups (P < 0.05). No difference was found to DMFT (decayed, missed and filled teeth) index between groups. Sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL) of 4 and 5-6 mm were significantly higher in both diabetic groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). Poorly controlled T2DM group had significantly higher sites with CAL >= 7 mm than other groups (P = 0.001). Significantly higher plasma and salivary CHGA levels were found in T2DM groups (P < 0.05). In both diabetic groups, probing depths 5-6 mm and CAL 5-6 mm were associated with higher salivary CHGA concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings revealed that T2DM patients were more prone to periodontal tissue damage than to caries risk. The results also provide some evidence that the degree of attachment loss deteriorates significantly with poor glycemic control in T2DM (CAL >= 7 mm). Moreover, the results suggest that high concentrations of salivary CHGA are associated with worse periodontal parameters and T2DM, and this could be related to the pathogenesis of both diseases. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.