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Biomedical subjects

D Giugliano

Publications and source records attributed to D Giugliano.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Advantageous metabolic effects of pulsatile insulin delivery in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients.

This study was done to compare the actions of pulsatile and continuous insulin administration in eight noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients. Human insulin was delivered in a pulsatile manner (1.3 mU/kg.min for 2 min, followed by 11 min during which no insulin was infused) or continuously (0.2 mU/kg.min) for 325 min. Endogenous hormone secretion was inhibited by somatostatin (125 micrograms/h), and glucagon was replaced at rate of 3.5 micrograms/h. Under these conditions plasma C-peptide levels fell progressively to extremely low values at the end of the experiment. Continuous insulin infusion resulted in steady plasma insulin levels, averaging 86 pmol/L, while during intermittent insulin administration plasma insulin levels were 5.7 and 158 pmol/L before and 3 min after the start of the insulin injection, respectively. Basal plasma glucagon [mean 158 +/- 11 (+/- SE) vs. 163 +/- 21 ng/L; P = NS] levels were similar on both occasions. During replacement peripheral plasma glucagon levels were no different whatever the mode of insulin administration, nor did they differ from the basal values. The mean plasma glucose concentrations were similar before both studies and rose to 9.5 and 8.6 mmol/L in the first 65 min during continuous and pulsatile insulin administration, respectively. In contrast, during the last 65 min, plasma glucose averaged 6.2 mmol/L during both studies. The glucose infusion rate initially increased, but then rapidly fell to values close to zero at the end of the first 65 min during the continuous insulin infusion, whereas during this time it averaged 0.59 +/- 0.10 mg/kg.min (32.5 +/- 5.5 mumol/kg.min) during pulsatile insulin administration. In the last 65 min the glucose infusion rate was significantly higher during pulsatile than during continuous insulin delivery. Furthermore, pulsatile rather than continuous insulin administration significantly reduced plasma triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein triglyceride, and FFA levels and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels. We conclude that pulsatile insulin delivery has advantageous metabolic effects compared to continuous hormone administration in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Aged↗

Theophylline prevents the inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E2 on glucose-induced insulin secretion in man.

This study was undertaken to assess the mechanism by which prostaglandins of the E series inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion in man. Acute insulin response (mean change 3-10 min) to iv glucose (0.33 g/kg) was decreased by 40% during the infusion of prostaglandin E2 (10 micrograms/min) and glucose disappearance rates were reduced (P less than 0.05). Insulin response to arginine (5 g iv) and tolbutamide (1 g iv) were not affected by the same rate of prostaglandin E2 infusion. The inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E2 on glucose-induced insulin secretion was prevented by theophylline (100 mg as a loading dose followed by a 5 mg/min infusion), a drug that increases the intracellular cAMP concentrations by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. Our data suggest the involvement of the adenylate cyclase system in the inhibitory action of prostaglandin E2 on glucose-induced insulin secretion in man.

Adult↗

Beta-endorphin-induced inhibition and stimulation of insulin secretion in normal humans is glucose dependent.

This study evaluated the effect of human beta-endorphin on pancreatic hormone levels and their responses to nutrient challenges in normal subjects. Infusion of 0.5 mg/h beta-endorphin caused a significant rise in plasma glucose concentrations preceded by a significant increase in peripheral glucagon levels. No changes occurred in the plasma concentrations of insulin and C-peptide. Acute insulin and C-peptide responses to intravenous pulses of different glucose amounts (0.33 g/kg and 5 g) and arginine (3 g) were significantly reduced by beta-endorphin infusion (P less than .01). This effect was associated with a significant reduction of the glucose disappearance rates, suggesting that the inhibition of insulin was of biological relevance. beta-Endorphin also inhibited glucose suppression of glucagon levels and augmented the glucagon response to arginine. To verify whether the modification of prestimulus glucose level could be important in these hormonal responses to beta-endorphin, basal plasma glucose concentrations were raised by a primed (0.5 g/kg) continuous (20 mg kg-1.min-1) glucose infusion. After stabilization of plasma glucose levels (350 +/- 34 mg/dl, t = 120 min), beta-endorphin infusion caused an immediate and marked increase in plasma insulin level (peak response 61 +/- 9 microU/ml, P less than .01), which remained elevated even after the discontinuation of opioid infusion. Moreover, the acute insulin response to a glucose pulse (0.33 g/kg i.v.) given during beta-endorphin infusion during hyperglycemia was significantly higher than the response obtained during euglycemia (171 +/- 32 vs. 41 +/- 7 microU/ml, P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Hypertension in the elderly is associated with impaired glucose metabolism independently of obesity and glucose intolerance.

We evaluated insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and blood pressure changes after oral administration of glucose in hypertensive and normotensive elderly subjects. The hypertensive group consisted of 12 subjects (aged 72.5 +/- 1.9 years, mean +/- s.e.m.) who had a history of hypertension lasting 10-25 years and were not more than 20% above ideal body weight. The normotensive group consisted of 12 subjects matched to the hypertensive group for age, sex and weight. All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (75 g glucose dissolved in 300 ml water), an intravenous glucose tolerance test (0.33 g/kg of a 50% glucose solution) and a euglycaemic, moderately hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp. In both groups, oral glucose tolerance was normal according to the criteria of the National Diabetes Data Group; the hypertensive group showed significantly higher plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose than the normotensive group, suggesting insulin resistance. The results of the euglycaemic clamp confirmed the state of reduced insulin sensitivity. Our data demonstrate that oral but not intravenous glucose produces a fall in blood pressure in hypertensive but not in normotensive patients, probably because activation of the sympathetic nervous system is impaired in hypertensive subjects; moreover, hypertension in the elderly seems associated with a state of reduced sensitivity to insulin.

Administration, Oral↗

[Prostaglandins, insulin secretion and diabetes mellitus].

The islets of Langerhans have the enzymatic equipment permitting the synthesis of the metabolites of arachidonic acid: cyclo-oxygenase and lipo-oxygenase. Numerous studies have shown that cyclo-oxygenase derivatives, mainly PGE2, reduce the insulin response to glucose whereas lipo-oxygenase derivatives, mainly 15-HPETE, stimulate insulin secretion. So, for instance, drugs that increase prostaglandins synthesis as colchicine or furosemide inhibit insulin secretion while non steroid anti-inflammator drugs, mainly salicylates, which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase, enhance the insulin response to various stimuli. In type-2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes, an increased sensitivity to endogenous prostaglandins has been proposed as a possible cause for the insulin secretion defect which characterizes this disease. Play in favor of this hypothesis the fact that the administration of PGE inhibits the insulin response to arginine in type-2 diabetics but not in normal subject and the fact that the administration of salicylates could improve the insulin response to glucose in some of these patients.

Animals↗

Sensitivity to beta-endorphin as a cause of human obesity.

Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, was given as an intravenous bolus (5 mg) in both lean and obese healthy subjects. In lean people, there was a slight trend for insulin and C-peptide concentrations to decrease below baseline values with no glucose change. Obese subjects showed an exaggerated suppression of insulin and C-peptide and a slight decrease of glucose. Glucagon was suppressed in both groups. An infusion of human beta-endorphin (0.05 mg/h) produced only minor changes in plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, and C-peptide concentrations in lean subjects, but caused marked increments in obese. Glucagon rose in both groups, but its response was greater in obese subjects. A ten-day treatment with naloxone (1.2 mg twice a day) did not change the metabolic and hormonal responses to an oral glucose load (75 g) in lean but significantly inhibited the insulin and C-peptide responses to glucose in obese people. These results suggest that an increased opiate drive to the pancreatic beta-cell and an increased responsiveness of insulin to beta-endorphin are present in human obesity.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effect of enkephalin on insulin secretion in healthy subjects and in non insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

The administration of the long-acting met-enkephalin analogue (FK 33-824, Sandoz; Basel Switzerland) inhibits insulin secretion induced by glucose (oral and intravenous) and nonglucose (arginine and breakfast) secretagogues in both normal subjects and in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The plasma glucose rise triggered by oral glucose and breakfast is reduced by FK in both groups of subjects, suggesting for the opioid peptide an effect in delaying glucose absorption. The data suggest a negative role for enkephalin in the regulation of insulin secretion in both normal and noninsulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

Adult↗

Impaired glucose metabolism in heroin and methadone users.

Plasma glucose and insulin responses to both oral and intravenous glucose stimulation were evaluated in heroin and methadone addicts, compared to healthy control subjects. Both groups of addicts had an altered response to oral and intravenous glucose load. These phenomena were linked to a reduced insulin response. Moreover, increased fasting insulin levels in both groups of addicts were observed. These data show that both heroin and methadone addiction may alter glucose metabolism, and, furthermore, stress the findings of similarities between opiate addicts and non-insulin dependent diabetics.

Adult↗

Beta-endorphin infusion restores acute insulin responses to glucose in type-2 diabetes mellitus.

To address the possibility that an abnormality in pancreatic beta-endorphin activity might contribute to abnormal insulin secretion in diabetes mellitus, we studied the effects of beta-endorphin infusion on islet function in diabetic patients. The iv infusion of human beta-endorphin at a dose of 0.5 mg/h for 2 h in type-2 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (n = 12) raised plasma insulin and glucagon levels and slightly but significantly lowered plasma glucose concentrations. beta-Endorphin infusion also resulted in reappearance of a clear-cut acute insulin response to glucose, while second phase insulin release was increased and glucose disposal accelerated. Acute insulin and glucagon responses to arginine were not increased by beta-endorphin, suggesting that the effect of the opioid on the B cells of the diabetic patients is specific for glucose. An intraislet abnormality of opioid peptides action and/or secretion may play a role in the disturbances of insulin secretion in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Arginine↗

Hyperglycemia and obesity as determinants of glucose, insulin, and glucagon responses to beta-endorphin in human diabetes mellitus.

The effect of human beta-endorphin on plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon concentrations was studied in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in normal subjects. The subjects were divided according to their body weight into lean (body mass index, less than 25) and obese (body mass index, greater than 29.5) groups. In lean subjects, infusion of 0.5 mg/h beta-endorphin caused significant increases in peripheral plasma glucose and glucagon levels, but no change in plasma insulin. In obese subjects, there was an immediate marked increase in both plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations during the beta-endorphin infusion, but the plasma glucose response was lower than that of lean subjects. In lean diabetic patients, beta-endorphin produced significant simultaneous increments in both insulin and glucagon concentrations and significantly decreased plasma glucose levels. These hormonal responses to beta-endorphin were amplified in the obese diabetic patients. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.61; P less than 0.01) between fasting plasma glucose levels and the integrated insulin area in response to beta-endorphin. The infusion of a lower dose of beta-endorphin (0.05 mg/h) in diabetic patients produced similar increments in both insulin and glucagon levels and also decreased plasma glucose concentration. These results indicate that beta-endorphin may have important glucoregulatory effects in man depending on the dose administered, the presence of obesity, and the prevailing plasma glucose concentration.

Adult↗

Primary role of glucagon release in the effect of beta-endorphin on glucose homeostasis in normal man.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of human beta-endorphin on pancreatic hormone levels and on glucose metabolism in normal subjects. Infusion of 143 nmol/h beta-endorphin in 7 subjects caused a significant rise in plasma glucose concentrations (+ 1.7 +/- 0.3 mmol/l) which was preceded by a significant increase in peripheral plasma glucagon levels (+ 44 +/- 13 ng/l). No changes occurred in the plasma concentrations of insulin and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline). The influence of beta-endorphin per se on glucose homeostasis was studied in 7 other subjects using the euglycaemic clamp technique in which the endocrine pancreatic function was fixed at its basal level with somatostatin together with replacement of basal insulin and glucagon by the exogenous infusion of these hormones. In this new metabolic conditions, beta-endorphin failed to have significant influences on the various parameters of tracer-estimated glucose metabolism (production, utilization, and clearance) and on the plasma levels of the gluconeogenic precursors (glycerol and alanine). Moreover, the levels of pancreatic and counterregulatory hormones (cortisol and catecholamines) were not different between beta-endorphin and control studies. We conclude that the naturally occurring opioid peptide beta-endorphin produced an hyperglycaemic effect in man which appears to be mediated by glucagon. The opioid seems to have no direct effect on glucose metabolism. These results suggest that the metabolic effects of beta-endorphin in normal man are secondary to its impact on pancreatic hormone secretion and not a consequence of a direct modulation of glucose metabolism.

Adult↗

Induced hyperglycemia alters antithrombin III activity but not its plasma concentration in healthy normal subjects.

The effects of induced hyperglycemia on both antithrombin III (ATIII) biologic activity and plasma concentration in normal subjects are reported. A decrease in ATIII activity parallel to hyperglycemia was observed, while ATIII concentration was unchanged. When the glycemia returned to basal values ATIII activity concomitantly showed values in the basal range. Heparin infusion was able to significantly preserve ATIII activity from glycemia-induced alterations. These data demonstrate that hyperglycemia by itself may alter ATIII biologic activity. Moreover, the effect of heparin administration suggests that both glucose and heparin compete in vivo for the same functional site. Our study, showing the possible role of hyperglycemia in altering the biologic function of some proteins, stresses the role of increased blood glucose in the development of some complications in diabetes.

Adult↗