BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear hormone receptor that serves as a master regulator of adipocytes-specific genes contributing to adipocytes differentiation, susceptibility to obesity, and insulin sensitivity. The substitution of proline to alanine at codon 12 of the PPAR gamma2 gene (Pro12Ala polymorphism) is most frequently identified and the associations with diabetes, obesity, and other clinical parameters have been reported and discussed in several ethnic groups. Among native Javanese ethnicity, however, there is no report about this polymorphism. AIMS AND METHODS: Aims of this study were to estimate the allele frequency of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR gamma2 gene among native Javanese in Indonesia and to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and obesity or diabetes. This study included 540 native Javanese subjects consisting of 337 diabetic patients and 203 normal glucose tolerance subjects. Both groups included totally 160 obese subjects (body mass index > or = 25 kg/m(2)). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the genotype determination. RESULTS: The allele frequency of Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma2 gene among native Javanese is lower than that in other ethnic groups. No association is seen between the Pro12Ala and diabetes (0.01 vs 0.017%, p = 0.404), a trend of the higher BMI was observed in Pro12Ala carriers in nondiabetic subjects, although this association is limited by small numbers. CONCLUSION: In this study, no association is seen between the Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma2 gene and diabetes; a weak association with obesity is seen.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aberrant left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery and liver function after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

An aberrant left hepatic artery, arising from the left gastric artery (LHLG), either as an accessory or replacing the left hepatic artery, is occasionally seen in patients with gastric cancer. Resection of LHLG, as part of the gastrectomy procedure, may cause liver dysfunction. The surgical records of a group of 141 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer following preoperative angiography were reviewed. Twenty-eight of the patients had an LHLG preoperatively; in 15 the artery was severed during surgery and in the remainder it was preserved. Postoperative liver function was assessed by measuring changes in lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities. The greatest changes in liver function were observed in patients in whom the LHLG has been severed; the changes in liver function among patients whose LHLGs were preserved were similar to those in patients who had no LHLG. Notably, the wider the area fed by the LHLG, the greater was the change in liver function. The observed liver dysfunctions were transient, however, and normal function resumed within 7 days after operation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of expression of antigens for islet cell antibodies in rat fetal pancreas.

It is not clear yet when pancreatic islet cells begin to express antigens for islet cell antibodies (ICA). Therefore, we studied whether human ICA-positive sera, crossreacting with adult rat islet cells, react with fetal and neonatal rat islet cells immunohistologically. The ICA did not react with fetal islet cells. On the other hand, neonatal islet cells over 2-3 weeks of age expressed the reactivities almost similar to those of the adult. It was suspected that pancreatic islet cells started to express their antigens to induce ICA gradually after birth.

Aging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Importance of serum cholesterol level in development of diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Changes of cardiac beat-to-beat variation (BBV)--an index of autonomic nerve function--were examined on 2 occasions in an interval of 3.7-5.9 years in 33 diabetics. A total of 204 healthy people, ranging from 11 to 88 years of age, were also subjected to the BBV measurement as controls. In diabetics, a lower rate of change of BBV than the control value was considered as deterioration. Glycohemoglobin was measured every month. The mean of serum cholesterol on the 2 occasions nearest to each time BBV examination was taken for the evaluation of cholesterol level. No significant difference was observed in the control state of blood glucose in terms of glycohemoglobin between the groups with and without BBV deterioration. In 20 subjects with normal cholesterol level, 11 showed a BBV deterioration, and in 13 subjects with abnormal cholesterol level 12 deteriorated in BBV. Therefore, diabetics with normal serum cholesterol level did not seem to exacerbate autonomic neuropathy in terms of BBV.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied