BACKGROUND: Impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose transport is a characteristic of type 2 diabetes. A radioactive glucose analogue has been synthesized: [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose. Its biological behaviour in vitro is similar to that of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, the reference tracer of glucose transport. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose to evaluate variations in glucose transport in vivo. METHODS: Biodistributions of [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose were performed with or without exogenous insulin (iv injection of 1.5 IU/kg) in db/+ non-diabetic control mice and in db/db type 2 diabetic mice, exhibiting a severe insulin resistance characterized by a lack of increase in glucose uptake in response to insulin. RESULTS: In db/+ mice, insulin increased [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose transport by 30% in most insulin-sensitive tissues (heart, diaphragm and skeletal muscle, p < 0.05) and had no effect in other organs. In db/db mice, [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose transport in these organs was not modified by insulin. CONCLUSION: [(125)I]-6-deoxy-6-iodo-D-glucose is able to trace in vivo an increase in glucose transport with insulin in non-diabetic mice and a defect of glucose transport in type 2 diabetic mice. It is the first time that an iodinated analogue of glucose has shown such promising results after in vivo injection. The use of this tracer to assess glucose transport in vivo in humans via nuclear imaging warrants further investigation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Improved intracellular delivery of a muramyl dipeptide analog by means of nanocapsules.

A lipophilic derivative of muramyl dipeptide, muramyl tripeptide cholesterol, was incorporated into poly(D,L-lactide) nanocapsules and its immunomodulating properties were assessed in vitro. The nanocapsule form was more effective than the free drug in activating rat alveolar macrophages for a cytostatic effect toward syngeneic tumor cells. Induction of NO synthase correlated with anti-proliferative activity. The time course of activation and the effect of inhibitors of endocytosis suggested that this increased efficiency was due to improved intracellular delivery by phagocytosis of nanocapsules. Such nanocapsules might be useful for immunotherapy of metastases resistant to conventional treatment, since they could overcome two problems associated with soluble muramyl peptides: rapid elimination and poor uptake by macrophages.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of transcortical relationships on visual responses in rats.

Visual responses of the 17/18 border of one hemisphere in anesthetized rats were studied while the opposite cortex was depressed. The depression of the opposite cortex was achieved by a cryoblockade of the homotopic area or by bleaching the unstimulated eye. In the first series of experiments field potentials were recorded, whereas in the second experimental series tests were carried out on single units. Bleaching the unstimulated eye produced mostly an enhancement of long latency potentials recorded in deeper layers. Cryoblockade of the contralateral cortex depressed the responses in a more uniform fashion. Most units typically presented a weaker evoked firing after cryoblockade. However, in some neurons the reaction to the treatment depended upon the nature of the stimulus and other units lost their orientation specificity. A single explanation such as a tonic excitatory transcortical influence is insufficient to account for these results.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cervical condyloma planum.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hypoglycemia induced by cibenzoline in the elderly].

Hypoglycaemia induced by class IA antiarrhythmic agents has been described. A case of cibenzoline-induced hypoglycaemia with favourable outcome is reported. The patient's age (84 years), increased renal impairment and malnutrition acted as facilitating factors. Blood insulin levels were normal in both absolute and relative values. Therapeutic overdosage in relation to age and renal function has been found in 20 out of 24 cases published or recorded by the French pharmacovigilance system. The mechanism of this hypoglycaemia is uncertain; absolute or relative hyperinsulinism has been detected in only 5 out of 14 controlled cases.

Aged↗