Endocrine Abstracts

ObjectivePlant-derived extracts have long been used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but their effects have not been rigorously investigated at the cellular level in vitro. The aims of the current study were to determine the effects of a virgin isolate of Gymnema sylvestre (GS), designated OSA, on pancreatic β-cell function.Materials and MethodsCell viability was measured by Trypan...

Aims This is an investigation of potential oxidative effects of AGE in response to the antioxidant glutathione in cultured human gingival fibroblasts, using radiolabelled steroids as substrates and their product 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a marker of wound healing.Methods Confluent monolayer cultures of human gingival fibroblasts were incubated with 14C-Testosterone and 14C-4-androstenedione respect...

Aims Nicotine (N) has detrimental effects on fibroblasts compounding those of AGE in uncontrolled diabetes. The impact of the antioxidant glutathione (G) is investigated to clarify mechanisms involved, using 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a hormone marker of healing.MethodsHuman gingival fibroblasts in confluent culture were incubated in Eagle’s MEM, with 14C-testosterone / 14C-4-androstenedione an...

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has emerged in youth, disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities. Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) has been reported in exclusively white UK children. We report the first UK Asian children with MODY, highlighting differences from T2DM.Child 1 is a slim (BMI SDS−0.14) female of Indian descent without acanthosis nigricans (AN). She presented aged 12 years with polydipsia and polyuria (HbA1c 8.6%). Hypoglycaemia w...

A fundamental problem in pancreas biology concerns the dynamics of beta cell mass regulation. While autoimmune or pharmacological destruction of beta cells appears to be irreversible, adult beta cell mass does respond to specific physiological cues such as insulin resistance. This raises the exciting possibility that beta cells have a significant regenerative capacity that could be used to treat diabetes. In support of this notion, recent studies in mouse models of diabetes su...

58 year old man – Mr CBType 2 diabetes for 16 yearsWell controlled hypertensionMicroalbuminuria with ACR 19Persistent haematuria with stone diseaseNo retinopathy or neuropathyNo macrovascular diseaseOtherwise fit and well</p...

BackgroundDiabetic gastroparesis is a disabling condition with no consistently effective treatment. Ghrelin infusion, in animal studies, increases gastric emptying and reverses post-operative ileus. We present the results of the first double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of ghrelin in gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis.MethodsTen insulin requiring diabetic patients (5 men, 6 ...

Serum ALT concentrations give some insight into liver fat accumulation and relate to metabolic syndrome: values>29 IU/L double risk of type 2 diabetes independent of other risk predictors. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of diabetes and CVD whereas metformin treatment modulates the progress of metabolic syndrome. Consequently, we investigated the effects of protracted metformin treatment on circulating ALT in obese women with PCOS.Methods<p...

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes requires that type II diabetes patients are actively involved in their diabetes management. The use of patient-held, integrated care plans is envisaged to encourage patients to actively participate in their diabetes management and to facilitate the flow of information between primary and secondary care. However, the utility of such schemes may be limited by the current level of patient education regarding the data recorded in t...

Background and objective Hyponatraemia is a common metabolic disorder with a significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. However, its significance is often ignored, and when found, inadequately investigated and inappropriately managed. The objectives of this audit were to investigate the investigations and management of hyponatraemia in a large District General Hospital.Methods From the bi...

In 1981 a 33 yr old woman was diagnosed with Graves thyrotoxicosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. At diagnosis her BMI was 19 kg/m2 and she was initially treated with carbimazole and glibenclamide. She had a past medical history of idiopathic lymphoedema, asthma and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and was regularly reviewed by an ophthalmologist for hyperpigmented maculae.In 1991 she required insulin to control her diabetes and developed progres...

Diabetic muscle infarction is an unusual complication of poorly controlled diabetes. It presents as an acute painful muscular swelling with difficulty in walking.CaseA 49-year-old man with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes was admitted with a history of sudden painful swelling of the thigh. He was afebrile, with marked tender swelling and inability to extend his knee. His HbA1c 15.6%, FBC, CRP and CK were normal; autoantibodies, an...