Relaxin is a hormone structurally related to insulin and insulin‐like growth factor, which exerts its regulatory effect on the musculoskeletal and other systems through binding to its receptor in various tissues, mediated by different signaling pathways. Relaxin alters the properties of cartilage and tendon by activating collagenase. This hormone is also involved in bone remodeling and healing of injured ligaments and skeletal muscle. In this review, we have summarized the literature on the effect of relaxin in musculoskeletal system to provide a broad perspective for future studies in this field.

Introduction: Chronic wounds represent a major health burden worldwide. It has been hypothesized that the polymicrobial nature of wounds plays an important role in their healing process. Thus, a review of pathogen frequency and susceptibility patterns in wounds is necessary to provide appropriate guidelines for antimicrobial usage. Methodology: In this study, microbiota and antimicrobial resistance in both acute and chronic wound patients treated at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, were compared. Wound swabs from 84 patients with acute wounds and 84 patients with chronic wounds were collected. The specimens were cultured using standard microbiological techniques. Isolates were then tested for antibiotic sensitivity with the broth microdilution method. Results: Of 210 pathogenic bacteria isolates, Staphylococcus aureus (49; 23.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31; 14.8%) were the most prevalent bacteria found in wounds. Staphylococcus aureus was found significantly more often in patients with chronic wounds (41; 48.8%) than in patients with acute wounds (8; 9.5%), while Staphylococcus epidermidis was found predominantly in acute wounds (15; 17.9%). At the time of study, patients with chronic wounds (58.3%) had received more antibiotic treatments in the past previous 12 months compared with patients with acute wounds (16.7%). In the antibiotic susceptibility test, Staphylococcus spp. revealed highest resistance towards penicillin and ampicillin. Isolates showed no decrease in susceptibility against a number of newly developed antibiotics (linezolid, daptomycin, and tigecycline). Conclusions: Our finding showed that bacteria diversity and antimicrobial-resistant strains are more frequently found in chronic wounds than in acute wounds.

Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated as one of the major underlying mechanisms behind many acute and chronic diseases. However, the measurement of free radicals or their end products is complicated. Isoprostanes, derived from the non-enzymatic peroxidation of arachidonic acid are now considered to be reliable biomarkers of oxidant stress in the human body. Isoprostanes are involved in many of the human diseases such as type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes elevated levels of F(2)-Isoprostanes (F(2)-IsoPs) have been observed. The measurement of bioactive F(2)-IsoPs levels offers a unique noninvasive analytical tool to study the role of free radicals in physiology, oxidative stress-related diseases, and acute or chronic inflammatory conditions. Measurement of oxidative stress by various other methods lacks specificity and sensitivity. This review aims to shed light on the implemention of F(2)-IsoPs measurement as a gold-standard biomarker of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetics.

Adiponectin and resistin are adipokines which modulate insulin action, energy, glucose and lipid homeostasis. Meta-analyses showed that hypoadiponectinemia and hyperresistinemia are strongly associated with increased risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to propose a novel adiponectin-resistin (AR) index by taking into account both adiponectin and resistin levels to povide a better indicator of the metabolic homeostasis and metabolic disorders. In addition, a novel insulin resistance (IRAR) index was proposed by integration of the AR index into an existing insulin resistance index to provide an improved diagnostic biomarker of insulin sensitivity.

P. niruri has been reported to possess antidiabetic and kidney protective effects. In the present study, the phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activity of P. niruri leaf aqueous extract were investigated together with its effect on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes levels in diabetic rat kidney. Results. Treatment of diabetic male rats with P. niruri leaf aqueous extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days prevents the increase in the amount of lipid peroxidation (LPO) product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the diminution of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity levels in the kidney of diabetic rats. The amount of LPO showed strong negative correlation with SOD, CAT, and GPx activity levels. P. niruri leaf aqueous extract exhibits in vitro antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ slightly lower than ascorbic acid. Phytochemical screening of plant extract indicates the presence of polyphenols. Conclusion. P. niruri leaf extract protects the kidney from oxidative stress induced by diabetes.