Transient hypothyroidism after iodine-131 therapy for Graves' disease.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Soler.
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We studied the effects of chronic hyperglycemia on beta-cell replication and mass in transplanted (Tx) islets. Five groups of streptozocin-induced diabetic C57Bl/6 mice were transplanted with 100 (Tx-100) syngeneic islets, an insufficient beta-cell mass to restore normoglycemia. Groups 1 and 2 remained hyperglycemic throughout the study; after 30 days of hyperglycemia, a second transplantation of 250 islets (Tx-250) restored normoglycemia in groups 3, 4, and 5. Tx-250 was harvested on day 60 in all three groups, and transient mild hyperglycemia developed (10-12 days); thereafter, Tx-100 maintained blood glucose values in the normal range. Tx-100 was harvested 14 (group 1), 60 (groups 2 and 3), 74 (group 4), and 90 (group 5) days after transplantation. Hyperglycemia increased beta-cell replication after 14 days (group 1: 1.26 +/- 0.18%, P < 0.05) but not after 60 days (group 2: 0.59 +/- 0.13%) compared with islets exposed to normoglycemia (group 3: 0.51 +/- 0.07%) (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P < 0.0002). beta-cell replication in group 4 increased after Tx-250 harvesting (0.94 +/- 0.16%, P < 0.05). The initially Tx beta-cell mass (0.21 +/- 0.014 mg) was progressively reduced in hyperglycemic groups (group 1: 0.13 +/- 0.020 mg; group 2: 0.048 +/- 0.012 mg; P < 0.05) (ANOVA, P = 0.0001). Restoration of normoglycemia after Tx-250 did not modify beta-cell mass in Tx-100 grafts (group 3: 0.076 +/- 0.008 mg). However, after Tx-250 harvesting, beta-cell mass increased progressively (group 4: 0.11 +/- 0.018 mg; group 5: 0.14 +/- 0.026 mg, P < 0.05), although it was still reduced compared with the initially Tx beta-cell mass (P < 0.05). In summary, Tx islets exposed to severe chronic hyperglycemia showed a limited beta-cell replication and a progressive reduction in beta-cell mass. With normoglycemia, the Tx beta-cells recovered the replicative response to glucose and partially restored the initially Tx beta-cell mass, indicating that normoglycemia, even after long-term hyperglycemia, has a beneficial effect in islet transplantation.
OBJECTIVE: In epidemiological studies, serum ferritin was the second-strongest determinant of blood glucose (after BMI) in regression models and the third-strongest determinant of serum insulin (after BMI and age). Its concentration also correlated positively with plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein B concentrations, and negatively with HDL2 cholesterol. We hypothesized that serum ferritin could be a marker of insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (SI, minimal model method) were prospectively evaluated in 36 healthy subjects. The relationship between serum ferritin and metabolic control (as measured by HbA1c levels) was also studied in 76 consecutive NIDDM patients. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, log-transformed serum ferritin (LOGFER) correlated with basal serum glucose (r = 0.44, P = 0.007), but not with BMI, age, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total triglycerides, VLDL triglycerides, serum insulin, or HbA1c (all P = NS). Identical results were obtained when the two lowest quartiles of serum ferritin were evaluated separately. However, in the two highest quartiles, LOGFER correlated with BMI (0.50, P = 0.02), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.8, P < 0.0001), serum LDL cholesterol (r = 0.57, P = 0.01), VLDL cholesterol (r = 0.48, P = 0.03), total cholesterol and HDL2 and HDL3 subtractions of HDL cholesterol (r = -0.68, -0.76, -0.55, P = 0.001. < 0.0001, and 0.01, respectively), total triglycerides (r = 0.60, P = 0.006), HDL2/HDL3 quotient (P = -0.71, P = 0.001), VLDL triglycerides (r = 0.65, P = 0.004), and serum uric acid (r = 0.51, P = 0.03), but not with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.38, P = 0.15). After adjusting for BMI, only the correlations between LOGFER and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.7, P = 0.002) and HDL2/HDL3 quotient (r = -0.63, P = 0.01) remained significant. Strong correlations between LOGFER and glucose area under the curve during oral glucose tolerance test (Pearson's r = 0.73, P = 0.001) and SI (r = -0.68, P = 0.001), which remained significant after controlling for BMI, were observed. LOGFER (beta = -0.44, P = 0.01) and BMI (beta = -0.52, P = 0.004) constituted independent predictors of insulin sensitivity in a multivariate analysis (R2 = 0.68). In 76 consecutive NIDDM outpatients, serum glucose (P < 0.00001) and LOGFER (P = 0.03) independently predicted the value of HbA1c (R2 = 0.40) in a multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations among serum ferritin and diastolic blood pressure, HDL quotient, glucose area under the curve, and SI suggest that serum ferritin could be a marker of the insulin resistance syndrome. Serum ferritin may also be an independent determinant of poor metabolic control in the diabetic patient.
The bcl-2 gene is rearranged in most cases of follicular lymphoma and the breakpoint clusters are found in two specific regions: mbr and mcr. Rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IgH) result in a deregulation of the gene and increased transcription of mRNA for the bcl-2 protein. In cases of rearrangement of the light chains (variant translocations), a third breakpoint has been described at the 5' part of the bcl-2 locus (vcr). In the present case, we report the molecular analysis of an FL transformed into a blastic phase unresponsive to chemotherapy. Molecular studies revealed a typical bcl-2 rearrangement at the major locus (mbr). Vcr rearrangements was also observed with only a single restriction enzyme. At the same time, SSCP analysis of exon 5 of the p53 locus disclosed an abnormal conformer. Direct sequencing revealed a point mutation at codon 163 (A --> G). Immunohistochemical analysis of the affected sites disclosed overexpression of p53 and bcl-2. It is concluded that p53 mutation can contribute to blastic transformation in cases of follicular lymphomas with double rearrangement at the bcl-2 locus (mbr/vcr).
We report a case of aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) in a Caucasian boy diagnosed on clinical, cytologic, immunophenotypic and genotypic grounds. An anomalous karyotype and integration of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) within the leukemic population were identified.
Red cells glycolytic enzymes attached and nonattached to K88+ Escherichia coli were assayed. Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activities, were measured. E. coli with K88ab fimbriae, E. coli with K88ac fimbriae, and isolated K88ab fimbriae were investigated for their effect on the above enzymes. Different changes were obtained with K88ab + bacteria compared with K88ac + bacteria. Purified fimbriae gave a third set of responses.
BACKGROUND: To study the influence of clinical, metabolic and immunological parameters during the first years of the evolution of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the long-term residual insulin secretion (IS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 186 IDDM subjects diagnosed from 1986 to 1993 were included; 135 subjects have completed a two year follow-up, and 57 have completed a five year follow-up. The influence of individual characteristics at diagnosis (age, sex, clinical presentation, islet-cell antibodies) and during the first two years of follow-up (IS, metabolic control) on IS at five years was evaluated by multiple linear regression. Differences between groups were evaluated by non-parametric tests. RESULTS: 18 patients had a significant insulin secretion at five years (post-glucagon C-peptide > or = 0.15 nmol/l). They showed minor significant differences in sex (77.7 vs 48.7% of males, p = 0.03), duration of symptoms (12.9 vs 7.2 weeks, p = 0.01), ketoacidosis at diagnosis (23.3 vs 46.1%, p = 0.07) and ICA positivity at diagnosis (41.1 vs 69.4%, p = 0.05). They also had a better metabolic control (8.8 vs 10.8% of HbA1, p < 0.001) with lss insulin (0.48 vs 0.71 Ul/kg, p < 0.001) during the first two years of evolution. Initial IS was similar, but differences became significant at 6 months. In the multivariate analysis, only metabolic control during the second year of evolution (p = 0.008), ketoacidosis at diagnosis (p = 0.026) and sex (p = 0.026) had an independent influence on IS at five years. A more intensified therapeutic approach introduced in 1990 induced a better metabolic control and higher IS during the first years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The absence of ketoacidosis at diagnosis and a good metabolic control during the first two years can have a positive influence in the long-term preservation of IS in IDDM patients.
To investigate the role of Na(+)-H+ exchange occurring during hypoxia in the genesis of reoxygenation-induced myocardial oedema, isolated perfused rat hearts were submitted to 40 min of hypoxia and 90 min of reoxygenation. The influence of three factors on myocardial water content was analysed according to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design; the hearts were perfused at either pH = 7.4 or pH = 7.0, with either HCO3- buffer or HCO3(-)-free HEPES buffer, and in half of the experiments the hypoxic buffer contained HOE642 6.7 micromol/l. In an additional group, 160 min of normoxia resulted in no lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and in a 35.8% increase in myocardial water, independently of pH and of the presence of HCO3- in the buffer. In hearts perfused at pH = 7.4, reoxygenation induced LDH release which was reduced (P<0.05) by HOE642 by 20.1%, by HCO3(-)-free perfusion by 57.5%, and by the combination of both by 91.2%. Reoxygenation also induced severe myocardial oedema (26.3% increase (P<0.05) respect to normoxia). HOE642 reduced (P<0.05) reoxygenation oedema by 15.7%, HCO3(-)-free perfusion by 8.9%, and the combination of both by 24.6%. The effects of HCO3(-)-free perfusion could be mimicked in HCO3(-)-perfused hearts by blocking Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport with 4-4'-dibenzanidostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS). The beneficial and additive effects of HOE642 and of HCO3(-)-free perfusion on oedema were not a mere consequence of their protective effects against the oxygen paradox, since they were observed in groups perfused at pH= 7.0, a condition which virtually prevented LDH release without preventing oedema (19.0% increase in myocardial water). Thus, reoxygenation-induced myocardial oedema may occur in the absence of necrosis, and is largely determined by Na+ gain during hypoxia via Na(+)-H+ exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport.
Insulin treatment may improve the outcome of islet transplantation. To determine the effects of insulin treatment on transplanted islets, 4 groups of streptozotocin-diabetic C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with 100 islets, an insufficient beta-cell mass to restore normoglycaemia. Groups 1 (n = 12) and 2 (n = 12), were kept normoglycaemic with insulin treatment from day 10 before transplantation to day 14 after transplantation; groups 3 (n = 12) and 4 (n = 18), were not treated with insulin. Grafts were harvested 14 (groups 1 and 3) or 60 (groups 2 and 4) days after transplantation and beta-cell mass and replication were measured. When insulin was discontinued all mice maintained normoglycaemia; in contrast, non-insulin-treated groups remained hyperglycaemic throughout the study. Fourteen days after transplantation the beta-cell mass was reduced both in group 1 (0.09 +/- 0.01 mg) and group 3 (0.14 +/- 0.02 mg) compared to the initially transplanted mass (0.22 +/- 0.02 mg, p < 0.01); beta-cell replication and area did not change in group 1, but were increased in group 3. Insulin content, expressed as a function of beta-cell mass, was maintained in group 1 grafts (12.5 +/- 2.0 micrograms/mg), but was severely reduced in group 3 (1.0 +/- 0.2 micrograms/mg) compared to non-transplanted islets (20.4 +/- 3.3 micrograms/mg). In group 2, beta-cell mass increased when insulin was discontinued; 60 days after transplantation beta-cell mass was similar to the initially transplanted mass (0.23 +/- 0.04 mg), glucose levels after an intraperitoneal glucose challenge were normal, and insulin content was preserved (19.6 +/- 2.7 micrograms/mg). In contrast, beta-cell mass was progressively reduced in group 4 (0.08 +/- 0.02 mg, p < 0.001). In summary, insulin treatment reduced the beta-cell mass needed to achieve normoglycaemia in islet transplantation. Islets transplanted to insulin-treated mice showed better beta-cell function, preserved insulin content, and were able to increase their beta-cell mass to meet an increased functional demand.
Mg2+ and Mn2+ function with the same partial mixed-type activation/inhibition mechanism, in which the metal isocitrate complex is the true substrate of Phycomyces isocitrate lyase. Binding of Mg2+ or Mn2+ to the activation site normally contributes significantly to the mechanism of catalysis. Whereas both ions activate catalysis at pH 7.3, at pH 8.5, Mg2+ ions behaved as inhibitors (beta < 1) and Mn2+ ions continued to function as activators. The binding of Mg2+ or Mn2+ to the activator site is virtually independent of the pH value. The affinity of the non-activated form of the enzyme for the Mg(2+)-isocitrate complex decreased (Ksa increased 20-fold) as pH was raised, but for Mn2+ ions the affinity of the activated enzyme for the Mn(2+)-isocitrate complex decreased 86-fold. The ion moiety of the metal-ion-isocitrate complex appears to be involved in the formation of the active enzyme-substrate complex from the non-activated enzyme.
Once-daily diltiazem extended-release 240 mg (Lacerol-HTA Retard) was evaluated for safety, efficacy, and trough-to-peak ratio in a multicenter open study by using 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring in mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. After a 4-week washout period, 30 patients (17 men, 13 women) aged 25-76 years, showing a mean daytime diastolic BP (DBP) >90 mm Hg, were treated with diltiazem-ER, 240 mg, given once daily for 8 weeks. Ambulatory BP monitoring was obtained at the end of a 4-week placebo run-in period and during the last week of treatment. A significant reduction of the mean values of clinical BP [161.6 +/- 16.2 to 151.2 +/- 15.6 mm Hg; p < 0.01 for systolic BP (SBP); and 101.1 +/- 4.8 to 93.3 +/- 9.2 mm Hg; p < 0.001 for DBP] was observed at the end of treatment in the group of 30 patients, with no significant changes in heart rate (77.1 +/- 9.9 to 73.1 +/- 11.1 beats/min; p = NS). Likewise, mean values of 24-h SBP, DBP, SBP-load, and DBP-load were significantly reduced. In the group of 21 responders, the average reduction at peak was -18.6 +/- 12.9 mm Hg for SBP and -14.7 +/- 9.5 mm Hg for DBP. The residual effect at trough was -12.2 +/- 14.7 and -8.1 +/- 10 mm Hg, respectively. The trough-to-peak ratio was estimated as 0.66 for SBP and 0.55 for DBP. Long-term variability expressed as the mean standard deviation of BP for the 24-h period was reduced in responders (16.2 +/- 4.3 to 14.6 +/- 2.7 mm Hg for SBP; p = 0.0395; and 12.1 +/- 2.7 to 10.7 +/- 2.5 mm Hg for DBP; p = 0.0019), although no changes were observed in the variation coefficient (10.58-10.57% for SBP and 12.88-12.87% for DBP). We conclude that once-daily diltiazem-ER, 240 mg, was effective and well tolerated. Blood pressure was controlled over the entire period of 24 h, preserving the circadian profile and reducing long-term variability in responders. The significant reduction of both BP values and long-term variability may have implications involving protection from end-organ damage in essential hypertension.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), acting as a modulator of gene expression in adipocytes, is implicated in the development of insulin resistance and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Nco I polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene influences the relationship among insulin resistance, percent body fat, and serum leptin levels. A sample of 38 subjects (19 men, mean age 36.2 +/- 1.9 years, BMI 28.8 +/- 1.2 kg/m2, range 22.2-35.7; and 19 women, age 34.9 +/- 1.4 years, BMI 28.1 +/- 0.8 kg/m2, range 19-37.9) was divided into two groups on the basis of the Nco I genotype. Twenty-three subjects were (+/+) homozygotes for the presence of the Nco I restriction site that is associated with a guanine at position -308 of the TNF-alpha promoter. Of the other subjects, 12 were (+/-) heterozygotes and 3 (-/-) homozygotes for the absence of the restriction site, resulting from a guanine-to-adenine substitution at position -308 of the TNF-alpha promoter. This substitution (termed TNF-2) leads to higher rate of transcription of TNF-alpha than the wild-type allele TNF-1 in vitro. TNF-1 (+/+) and TNF-2 (+/- and -/-) groups of subjects were comparable in sex, age, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and several skinfold measurements. Basal serum insulin was greater (14.2 +/- 2 vs. 9.2 +/- 0.9 mU/l, P = 0.041) in the TNF-2 group in the presence of comparable serum glucose concentration. The integrated area under the curve of serum insulin concentrations, measured in response to a 75-g oral glucose challenge, and the percent body fat, measured by bioelectric impedance, were significantly increased in TNF-2 subjects (226.8 +/- 33 vs. 139.4 +/- 17.8 mU/l, P = 0.032; 33.6 +/- 2.8 vs. 24.9 +/- 2%, P = 0.01). TNF-2 subjects also showed a decreased insulin sensitivity index, as determined by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test with minimal model analysis (1.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.05 +/- 0.3 min(-1) x mU(-1) x l(-1), P = 0.03). These differences were more marked among women. Paralleling the known relationship between insulin and leptin levels, serum leptin concentration was clearly increased in the TNF-2 group (19.6 +/- 3.4 vs. 11.1 +/- 1.5 ng/ml, P = 0.03). Therefore, (+/-) heterozygotes and (-/-) homozygotes may be more susceptible to developing insulin resistance and increased percent body fat. Results of the present study suggest that TNF-alphaNco I polymorphism may exacerbate the alterations in leptin levels normally found among insulin-resistant subjects.
To determine whether improved metabolic control during the first two years of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) modified beta cell function, we studied 108 subjects with recent-onset IDDM diagnosed between March 1986 and April 1992 and followed up prospectively for 2 years. Two insulin regimens were used: 1) conventional insulin treatment (CIT) (1986-90, n = 67) involving a mixture of regular and intermediate insulin before breakfast and dinner; and 2) intensive insulin treatment (IIT) (1990-92, n = 41) providing regular insulin before breakfast and lunch, and a mixture of regular and long-acting insulin before dinner. Glucagon-stimulated C-peptide was determined at diagnosis and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Both groups had similar clinical, metabolic and immunological characteristics at diagnosis. The IIT group had better metabolic control at any given time-point after diagnosis (mean HbA1 during follow-up in CIT: 9.86 +/- 0.28%; IIT: 8.18 +/- 0.04%; p < 0.001) (normal < 9.0%). C-peptide was increased in the IIT group 3 and 6 months after diagnosis (month 0: 0.36 +/- 0.05 nmol/l; month 6: 0.55 +/- 0.06 nmol/l; p < 0.006), but not in the CIT group (month 0: 0.39 +/- 0.04 nmol/l; month 6: 0.45 +/- 0.04 nmol/l; p = NS). Two years after diagnosis, the IIT group maintained initial C-peptide secretion (2 years: 0.37 +/- 0.04 nmol/l) whereas C-peptide was reduced in the CIT group (2 years: 0.23 +/- 0.06 nmol/l) compared to the initial value (p < 0.001) or to that of the IIT group (p = 0.017). Thus, sustained improvement in metabolic control with IIT resulted in better beta-cell function during the first two years after IDDM diagnosis.
INTRODUCTION: In Cushing's disease (CD) pituitary surgery or radiotherapy has been proposed by some authors, when plasmatic cortisol after surgery is not clearly low. AIM: To assess if the different prognostic factors, specially plasmatic cortisol seven days after surgery and/or hypocortisolism phase are predictive of the CD outcome. METHODS: From 1988, 11 women with CD underwent 13 transsphenoidal microsurgery, because two patients relapsed. The mean age of patients was 27 years (11-52). Plasmatic cortisol was measured seven days after pituitary surgery, and since 45 days, every three-six months, basal plasmatic cortisol and after ACTH and urinary free cortisol were determined. RESULTS: Follow-up evaluations ranged from 18-84 months (median, 38 months). After pituitary surgery in 13 cases the cumulative remission was 100%, two cases relapsed. In 10 cases plasmatic cortisol seven days after surgery was less than 137 nmol/l and in three cases higher than 137 nmol/l. Three cases did not presented hypocortisolism phase. The two patients who relapsed, one was after eight months of pituitary surgery an previously showed low plasmatic cortisol and the other relapse 25 months after pituitary surgery without low cortisol plasmatic levels. CONCLUSION: Remission in CD can happen either low or normal plasmatic cortisol levels seven days posttreatment or without hypocortisolism phase. Ours findings ascribe new importance to the different presentations after treatment of CD, and patients with these findings are not a risk for relapse and pituitary surgery or irradiation would not be early indicated.
BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasm type 2A (MEN 2A) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism. Mutations have been identified in the extracellular domain of the RET proto-oncogen product (10q11.2) in MEN 2A patients. In each case a single base pair substitution results in replacement of cysteine with another amino acid. Most MEN 2A patients have mutations of codon 634. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five unrelated MEN 2A patients from seven families were studied. Polymerase chain reaction, segregation, sequence analysis and restriction enzyme digestion were performed. RESULTS: Of seven families, four had the TGC to TAC transition, two families the TGC to TGG transversion and one family the TGC to CGC transition in codon 634 of RET. CONCLUSIONS: We found all the mutations in codon 634. The characterization of MEN 2A mutations allows early and presymptomatic diagnosis in this syndrome.
Two forms of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase, named ICDH-1 and ICDH-2, have been identified and purified in Phycomyces blakesleeanus NRRL-1555(-). These enzymes forms may be separated by chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel. ICDH-2 induction was a response to the adaptation of Phycomyes growth on acetate as the carbon source. Both enzyme forms were octamers of 388 + or - 30 kDa with apparently identical subunits of 40.5 +/- 5 kDa, but they were distinguishable by their electrophoretic mobilities on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric pH values were 5.28 and 4.96 for ICDH-1 and ICDH-2, respectively. ICDH-2 was more stable to urea denaturation than ICDH-1. At pH 7.6, ICDH-1 showed a markedly sigmoidal kinetic behavior with respect to isocitrate. However, ICDH-1 and ICDH-2 showed hyperbolic kinetics with respect to NAD+. THe tribasic form of isocitrate (I3-) and its magnesium complex (MI-) are the true substrates for both enzyme forms. Kinetic data obtained with Mg2+ as a divalent cation for both enzyme forms are compatible with the kinetic mechanism proposed by Cohen and Colman (1974) [Eur. J. Biochem. 47, 35-45] but assuming some degree of interaction between binding sites for the active form of isocitrate. This report describes for the first time the existence of two forms of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase in filamentous fungi. From the changes in activity levels for each form, during adaptation of Phycomyces to growth on acetate and taking into account the kinetic and regulatory properties of both enzyme forms, we discuss the role of ICDH-1 and ICDH-2 in the control of isocitrate flux in Phycomyces.
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To analyse the relationship between age, glucose tolerance, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity in preclinical states of non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we have done a cross-sectional, age-stratified analysis of 86 non-diabetic first-degree relatives of NIDDM patients and 49 controls with similar age, sex, and BMI. A 5 mg kg ideal body weight-1 min-1 for 60 min of continuous infusion of glucose with model assessment (CIGMA) of serum glucose and C-peptide values at the end of the infusion was used to determine glucose tolerance and beta-cell function. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by modelling basal serum glucose and insulin values. Relatives and controls were divided into tertiles on the basis of age. Relatives had higher basal (5.3 vs 5 mmol l-1, p = 0.02) and achieved serum glucose (9.1 vs 8.4 mmol l-1, p = 0.01), lower beta-cell function (128 vs 145%, p = 0.007), and lower insulin sensitivity (37 vs 43%, p = 0.002). Beta-cell function declined with age in relatives (from 139% in young subjects to 134% in intermediate subjects and to 111% in older subjects, p = 0.002) and this decline was associated with an increase in basal serum glucose (from 5.1 to 5.3 and to 5.7 mmol l-1, p = 0.000) and achieved glucose (from 8.3 to 9.1 and to 9.3 mmol l-1, p = 0.038), without significant changes in insulin sensitivity. These trends were observed even after the exclusion of subjects with mild glucose intolerance. We conclude that both beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are present in first-degree relatives of NIDDM. The progression of beta-cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance with age suggests that beta-cell dysfunction is the key factor in the apparition and progression of the disease.