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S Del Prato

Publications and source records attributed to S Del Prato.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Role of tissue-specific blood flow and tissue recruitment in insulin-mediated glucose uptake of human skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists concerning whether insulin-induced vasodilation plays a mechanistic role in the regulation of limb glucose uptake. It can be predicted that if insulin augments blood flow by causing tissue recruitment, this mechanism would enhance limb glucose uptake. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty healthy subjects were studied with the forearm perfusion technique in combination with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique. Ten subjects were studied at physiological insulin concentrations (approximately 400 pmol/L) and the other 10 at supraphysiological insulin concentrations (approximately 5600 pmol/L). Four additional subjects underwent a saline control study. Pulse injections of a nonmetabolizable extracellular marker (1-[3H]-L-glucose) were administered into the brachial artery, and its washout curves were measured in one ipsilateral deep forearm vein and used to estimate the extracellular volume of distribution and hence the amount of muscle tissue drained by the deep forearm vein. Both during saline infusion and at physiological levels of hyperinsulinemia we observed no changes in blood flow and/or muscle tissue drained by the deep forearm vein. However, supraphysiological hyperinsulinemia accelerated total forearm blood flow (45.0+/-1.8 versus 36.5+/-1.3 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), P<0.01) and increased the amount of muscle tissue drained by the deep forearm vein (305+/-46 versus 229+/-32 g, P<0.05). The amount of tissue newly recruited by insulin was strongly correlated to the concomitant increase in tissue glucose uptake (r=0.789, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration of forearm blood flow mediated by supraphysiological hyperinsulinemia is accompanied by tissue recruitment, which may be a relevant determinant of forearm (muscle) glucose uptake.

Adult↗

Enhanced responsiveness of blood pressure to sodium intake and to angiotensin II is associated with insulin resistance in IDDM patients with microalbuminuria.

We assessed blood pressure (BP), body weight, renal hemodynamics, and insulin sensitivity (by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp) in nine normoalbuminuric and seven microalbuminuric IDDM patients after 6 days on a low-sodium diet (20 mEq) and after 6 days on a high-sodium diet (250 mEq). In microalbuminuric but not in normoalbuminuric IDDM patients, switching from a low to a high-sodium diet was associated with a significant increase in mean BP (from 92 +/- 3 to 101 +/- 4 mmHg; P < 0.001) and in body weight (2.91 +/- 0.63 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.26 kg; P < 0.05). Moreover, under high-sodium conditions, angiotensin II infusion (3 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)) caused a greater increase in mean BP (14 +/- 2 vs. 7.4 +/- 1 mmHg; P < 0.05) and a smaller reduction in renal plasma flow (-122 +/- 29 vs. -274 +/- 41 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m2; P < 0.05) in microalbuminuric than in normoalbuminuric IDDM patients. Under low sodium conditions, aldosterone increments after angiotensin II infusion were lower (P < 0.05) in microalbuminuric than in normoalbuminuric IDDM patients. Insulin-mediated glucose disposal was not affected by sodium dietary content, but it was lower in microalbuminuric (P < 0.05) than in normoalbuminuric IDDM patients. The salt-induced changes in mean BP were related to insulin sensitivity (r = -0.78; P < 0.001). In conclusion, in IDDM patients, microalbuminuria is associated with 1) an increased responsiveness of BP to salt intake and angiotensin II, 2) impaired modulation of renal blood flow, and 3) insulin resistance. Therefore, salt sensitivity in IDDM patients clusters with other factors that are likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and its cardiovascular complications.

Adrenal Glands↗

Studies on the mass action effect of glucose in NIDDM and IDDM: evidence for glucose resistance.

UNLABELLED: The ability of hyperglycaemia to enhance glucose uptake was evaluated in 9 non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM), 7 insulin-dependent (IDDM) diabetic subjects, and in 6 young and 9 older normal volunteers. Following overnight insulin-induced euglycaemia, a sequential three-step hyperglycaemic clamp (+ 2.8 + 5.6, and + 11.2 mmol/l above baseline) was performed with somatostatin plus replacing doses of basal insulin and glucagon, 3-3H-glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry. In the control subjects as a whole, glucose disposal increased at each hyperglycaemic step (13.1 +/- 0.6, 15.7 +/- 0.7, and 26.3 +/- 1.1 mumol/kg.min). In NIDDM (10.5 +/- 0.2, 12.1 +/- 1.0, and 17.5 +/- 1.1 mumol/kg.min), and IDDM (11.2 +/- 0.8, 12.9 +/- 1.0, and 15.6 +/- 1.1 mumol/kg.min) glucose disposal was lower during all three steps (p < 0.05-0.005). Hepatic glucose production declined proportionally to plasma glucose concentration to a similar extent in all four groups of patients. In control subjects, hyperglycaemia stimulated glucose oxidation (+4.4 +/- 0.7 mumol/kg.min) only at +11.2 mmol/l (p < 0.05), while non-oxidative glucose metabolism increased at each hyperglycaemic step (+3.1 +/- 0.7; +3.5 +/- 0.9, and +10.8 +/- 1.7 mumol/kg.min; all p < 0.05). In diabetic patients, no increment in glucose oxidation was elicited even at the highest hyperglycaemic plateau (IDDM = +0.5 +/- 1.5; NIDDM = +0.2 +/- 0.6 mumol/kg.min) and non-oxidative glucose metabolism was hampered (IDDM = +1.8 +/- 1.5, +3.1 +/- 1.7, and +4.3 +/- 1.8; NIDDM = +0.7 +/- 0.6, 2.1 +/- 0.9, and +7.0 +/- 0.8 mumol/kg.min; p < 0.05-0.005). Blood lactate concentration increased and plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) fell in control (p < 0.05) but not in diabetic subjects. The increments in blood lactate were correlated with the increase in non-oxidative glucose disposal and with the decrease in plasma NEFA. IN CONCLUSION: 1) the ability of hyperglycaemia to promote glucose disposal is impaired in NIDDM and IDDM; 2) stimulation of glucose oxidation and non-oxidative glucose metabolism accounts for glucose disposal; 3) both pathways of glucose metabolism are impaired in diabetic patients; 4) impaired ability of hyperglycaemia to suppress plasma NEFA is present in these patients. These results suggest that glucose resistance, that is the ability of glucose itself to promote glucose utilization, is impaired in both IDDM and NIDDM patients.

Adult↗

Forearm nitric oxide balance, vascular relaxation, and glucose metabolism in NIDDM patients.

Endothelium-dependent and -independent vascular responses were assessed in 10 NIDDM patients and 6 normal subjects with no evidence of atherosclerotic disease. Changes in forearm blood flow and arteriovenous (AV) serum nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) concentrations were measured in response to intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) (7.5, 15, 30 microg/min, endothelium-dependent response) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0.3, 3, 10 microg/min, endothelium-independent response). Insulin sensitivity (determined by minimal model intravenous glucose tolerance test) was lower in NIDDM patients (0.82 +/- 0.20 vs. 2.97 +/- 0.29 10(4) min x microU(-1) x ml(-1); P < 0.01). Baseline forearm blood flow (4.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.3 ml x 100 ml(-1) tissue x min(-1); NS), mean blood pressure (100 +/- 4 vs. 92 +/- 4 mmHg; NS), and vascular resistance (21 +/- 1 vs. 21 +/- 1 units; NS), as well as their increments during ACh and SNP, infusion were similar in both groups. No difference existed in baseline NO2-/NO3- concentrations (4.09 +/- 0.33 [NIDDM patients] vs. 5.00 +/- 0.48 micromol/l [control subjects]; NS), their forearm net balance (0.31 +/- 0.08 [NIDDM patients] vs. 0.26 +/- 0.08 micromol/l x 100 ml(-1) tissue x min(-1); NS), and baseline forearm glucose uptake. During ACh infusion, both NO2- and NO3- concentrations and net balance significantly increased in both groups, whereas glucose uptake increased only in control subjects. When data from NIDDM and control groups were pooled together, a correlation was found between the forearm AV NO2- and NO3- differences and blood flow (r = 0.494, P = 0.024). On the contrary, no correlation was evident between NO2- and NO3- concentrations or net balance and insulin sensitivity. In summary, 1) no difference existed in basal and ACh-stimulated NO generation and endothelium-dependent relaxation between uncomplicated NIDDM patients and control subjects; 2) in both NIDDM and control groups, forearm NO2- and NO3- net balance following ACh stimulation was related to changes in the forearm blood flow; and 3) ACh-induced increase in forearm blood flow was associated with an increase in glucose uptake only in control subjects but not in NIDDM patients. In conclusion, our results argue against a role of impaired NO generation and blood flow regulation in determining the insulin resistance of uncomplicated NIDDM patients; rather, it supports an independent insulin regulation of hemodynamic and metabolic effects.

Acetylcholine↗

Fasting hyperglycaemia following trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Following a hyperosmolar diabetic coma in a cirrhotic patient with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization, we assessed the prevalence, severity, causes and prognostic impact of impaired glucose metabolism following transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization. METHODS: Plasma glucose, pancreatic and thyroid hormones, cortisol, growth hormone, ACTH and TSH concentrations were determined before and after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization in 98 patients (70 with a normal fasting glucose, 7 with mild fasting hyperglycaemia and 21 diabetics) undergoing 226 transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization procedures. Child status, body temperature, serum ALT and amylase levels, tumour size, gelfoam embolization and disease aetiology were recorded. Liver function was assessed before and after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization by measuring monoethylglycinexylidide formation after i.v. lidocaine. RESULTS: A significant rise in glucose levels (p < 0.0001) was observed in 30/98 patients. Hyperglycaemia was more frequent in diabetics (67%) and patients with mild fasting hyperglycaemia (71%). Glucose concentrations doubled in 12 patients; 4 required long-term insulin. Fever, a previously altered carbohydrate metabolism and raised ALT levels were prognostic factors for hyperglycaemia (p < 0.01). Plasma C-peptide, glucose/insulin and glucose/C-peptide ratios, were increased after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (p < 0.05). Transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization was followed by a reduction in the monoethylglycinexylidide formation capacity (p < 0.05), particularly in hyperglycaemia patients (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization is frequently followed by a derangement in glucose metabolism which is potentially severe, associated with preceding glucose imbalance, fever and a transient deterioration in liver function.

Adult↗

Intracellular lactate- and pyruvate-interconversion rates are increased in muscle tissue of non-insulin-dependent diabetic individuals.

The contribution of muscle tissues of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients to blood lactate appearance remains undefined. To gain insight on intracellular pyruvate/lactate metabolism, the postabsorptive forearm metabolism of glucose, lactate, FFA, and ketone bodies (KB) was assessed in seven obese non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (BMI = 28.0 +/- 0.5 kg/m2) and seven control individuals (BMI = 24.8 +/- 0.5 kg/m2) by using arteriovenous balance across forearm tissues along with continuous infusion of [3-13C1]-lactate and indirect calorimetry. Fasting plasma concentrations of glucose (10.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter), insulin (68 +/- 5 vs. 43 +/- 6 pmol/liter), FFA (0.57 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.02 mmol/liter), and blood levels of lactate (1.05 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.60 +/- 0.06 mmol/liter), and KB (0.48 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.02 mmol/liter) were higher in NIDDM patients (P < 0.01). Forearm glucose uptake was similar in the two groups (10.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 9.6 +/ 1.1 micromol/min/liter of forearm tissue), while KB uptake was twice as much in NIDDM patients as compared to control subjects. Lactate balance was only slightly increased in NIDDM patients (5.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.3 +/- 1.0 micromol/min/liter; P = NS). A two-compartment model of lactate and pyruvate kinetics in the forearm tissue was used to dissect out the rates of lactate to pyruvate and pyruvate to lactate interconversions. In spite of minor differences in the lactate balance, a fourfold increase in both lactate- (44.8 +/- 9.0 vs. 12.6 +/- 4.6 micromol/min/liter) and pyruvate-(50.4 +/- 9.8 vs. 16.0 +/- 5.0 micromol/min/liter) interconversion rates (both P < 0.01) were found. Whole body lactate turnover, assessed by using the classic isotope dilution principle, was higher in NIDDM individuals (46 +/- 9 vs. 21 +/- 3 micromol/min/kg; P < 0.01). Insights into the physiological meaning of this parameter were obtained by using a whole body noncompartmental model of lactate/pyruvate kinetics which provides a lower and upper bound for total lactate and pyruvate turnover (NIDDM = 46 +/- 9 vs. 108 +/- 31; controls = 21 +/- 3 - 50 +/-13 micromol/min/kg). In conclusion, in the postabsorptive state, despite a trivial lactate release by muscle, lactate- and pyruvate-interconversion rates are greatly enhanced in NIDDM patients, possibly due to concomitant impairment in the oxidative pathway of glucose metabolism. This finding strongly suggest a major disturbance in intracellular lactate/pyruvate metabolism in NIDDM.

Adult↗

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: survival, prognostic factors, and unexpected side effects after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, the prognostic factors, and the side effects, 72 patients undergoing 170 chemoembolizations with lipiodol-mediated injection of adriamycin were investigated. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survivals are 83, 61, and 56%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors for survival (by Mantael-Haenszel) are Child-Pugh and Okuda status (p = 0.00001 and p = 0.01 respectively), number of TACE courses (p = 0.002) and of courses completed with embolization (p = 0.05), stabilization or reduction of alpha-fetoprotein (p = 0.003), and concurrent tamoxifen treatment (p = 0.04). Side effects included fever, pain, increased serum amylase and transaminase levels, and one liver abscess with death of liver failure. In addition, mild hyperglycemia was observed in 19% of patients and severe in 8% (with one hyperosmolar diabetic coma), in the absence of pancreatic damage. In conclusion, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is useful in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Prognostic factors are Child-Pugh and Okuda status, number of TACE courses and of embolizations, changes of alpha-fetoprotein levels, and association with tamoxifen treatment. The development of mild to severe changes of glucose metabolism suggests that glucose tolerance should be evaluated before and glycemia strictly monitored after each TACE course.

Abdominal Pain↗

High blood ketone body concentration in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.

To assess the metabolic disturbances, and, in particular, the occurrence of high blood ketone body concentration in post-absorptive Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients as compared to a matched normal population, a study was carried out in a group of 78 Type 2 diabetic outpatients matched for age and sex and in 78 normal individuals. In all subjects we measured HbA1c, and fasting levels of glucose, FFA, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, alanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon, free insulin, and C-peptide. Multistix strips were used for urine ketone determination. As expected HbA1c, and plasma glucose were higher in Type 2 diabetics. This was associated with multiple metabolic disturbances as shown by higher circulating concentrations of FFA, glycerol and gluconeogenic precursors. Similarly, blood levels of ketones (351 +/- 29 vs 159 +/- 15 umol/l; P < 0.0001) were increased, in spite of higher plasma free-insulin (77 +/- 7 vs. 49 +/- 14 pmol/l; p < 0.0001) and C-peptide concentration (0.63 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.07 nmol/l; P < 0.05) and no differences in plasma levels of cortisol, and growth hormone. Plasma glucagon levels were higher in Type 2 diabetics. Blood ketone body levels were directly correlated with both plasma glucose and FFA concentrations. These observations clearly show that Type 2 diabetes is a pathologic condition characterised by multiple metabolic disturbances which are fully apparent in the basal state. Furthermore, we emphasise that Type 2 diabetic patients, though not insulin deficient, may present a significant increase in their fasting levels of ketone bodies.

Aged↗

Gliclazide potentiates suppression of hepatic glucose production in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

The mechanism of the hypoglycemic action of gliclazide was evaluated in 17 diet-treated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. In study A, five patients received a 240-minute glucose infusion along with [3-3H]glucose infusion. In study B, seven patients received a 240-minute isoglycemic insulin clamp along with [3-3H]glucose infusion. And in study C, five patients received a somatostatin infusion with basal replacing doses of insulin and glucagon. The three studies (A, B, and C) were repeated twice. Gliclazide (240 mg orally) was administered on one occasion, and placebo was given on the second occasion. Basal hepatic glucose production (HGP) and utilization and plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were similar before administration of gliclazide and placebo. In study A, plasma glucose, its incremental area, and HGP were reduced by gliclazide administration (all P < .05), but glucose utilization was not significantly affected. The increase in plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations was similar with gliclazide and placebo, although the plasma insulin to glucose ratio was increased with gliclazide. HGP decremental area was correlated with the reduction in plasma glucose incremental area (r = -.63, P < .05). In study B, gliclazide administration produced a larger suppression of HGP, but the overall rate of glucose utilization was not different in the two studies. In study C, plasma glucose concentration and HGP progressively decreased in both studies, without a difference between gliclazide and placebo. These results suggest that under conditions of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia gliclazide elicits a larger suppression of HGP.

Blood Glucose↗

Improvement of insulin sensitivity by metformin treatment does not lower blood pressure of nonobese insulin-resistant hypertensive patients with normal glucose tolerance.

Nine hypertensive patients with body mass indexes between 24-27 kg/m2 and normal glucose tolerance with at least a postchallenge plasma insulin level greater than 360 pmol/L were recruited for a double blind, cross-over study with metformin (850 mg, twice daily) and placebo. Each treatment lasted 1 month. Before and after each treatment, hormone and substrate concentrations were determined, blood pressure was monitored over 24 h, and insulin sensitivity was measured by a euglycemic (4.7 mmol/L) hyperinsulinemic (450 pmol/L) clamp study. Renal cation excretion and erythrocyte membrane cation heteroexchange were measured. Metformin, compared to placebo, did not affect body weight (70 +/- 7 vs. 70 +/- 7 kg), fasting plasma glucose (4.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/L), total cholesterol (5.38+/0.33 vs. 5.48 +/- 0.38 mmol/L), or triglycerides (1.73 +/- 0.72 vs. 1.91 0.89 mmol/L). Nevertheless, after metformin treatment, the plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased (1.42 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.34 0.16 mmol/L), and the plasma insulin level dropped (62 +/- 10 vs. 88+/- 12 pmol/L; both P < 0.05). Insulin-mediated glucose disposal was higher after metformin treatment (26.1 +/- 2.4 vs. 19.3 +/- 2.3 micromol/min x kg; P < 0.01), whereas hepatic glucose production was completely suppressed. These positive metformin-induced metabolic effects were not associated with a significant change in mean daily blood pressure levels (141 +/- 6/89 +/- 3 vs. 142 +/- 7/90 +/- 3 mm Hg). Compared to placebo, metformin increased the excretion of sodium, potassium, and lithium by enhancing their glomerular filtration rate. Na+/Li+ countertransport was not affected by metformin. However, the apparent affinity for H+ of Na+/H+ exchange was increased, and the Hill coefficient was decreased. In conclusion, 1 month of metformin administration to patients with essential hypertension and normal glucose tolerance 1) reduces the basal plasma insulin concentration, 2) improves whole body insulin-mediated glucose utilization, and 3) improves plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Despite these positive effects, metformin did not reduce arterial blood pressure.

Adult↗

Roles of glucose transport and glucose phosphorylation in muscle insulin resistance of NIDDM.

Insulin resistance for glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle is a key feature in NIDDM. The quantitative role of the cellular effectors of glucose metabolism in determining this insulin resistance is still imperfectly known. We assessed transmembrane glucose transport and intracellular glucose phosphorylation in vivo in skeletal muscle in nonobese NIDDM patients. We performed euglycemic insulin clamp studies in combination with the forearm balance technique (brachial artery and deep forearm vein catheterization) in five nonobese NIDDM patients and seven age- and weight-matched control subjects (study 1). D-Mannitol (a nontransportable molecule), 3-O-[14C]methyl-D-glucose (transportable, but not metabolizable) and D[3-3H]glucose (transportable and metabolizable) were simultaneously injected into the brachial artery, and the washout curves were measured in the deep venous effluent blood. In vivo rates of transmembrane transport and intracellular phosphorylation of D-glucose in forearm muscle were determined by analyzing the washout curves with the aid of a multicompartmental model of glucose kinetics in forearm tissues. At similar steady-state concentrations of plasma insulin (approximately 500 pmol/l) and glucose (approximately 5.0 mmol/l), the rates of transmembrane influx (34.3 +/- 9.1 vs. 58.5 +/- 6.5 micromol x min(-1) x kg(-1), P < 0.05) and intracellular phosphorylation (5.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 38.8 +/- 5.1 micromol x min(-1) x kg(-1), P < 0.01) in skeletal muscle were markedly lower in the NIDDM patients than in the control subjects. In the NIDDM patients (study 2), the insulin clamp was repeated at hyperglycemia, (approximately 13 mmol/l) trying to match the rates of transmembrane glucose influx measured during the clamp in the controls. The rate of transmembrane glucose influx (62 +/- 15 micromol x min(-1) x kg(-1)) in the NIDDM patients was similar to the control subjects, but the rate of intracellular glucose phosphorylation (16.6 +/- 7.5 micromol x min(-1) x kg(-1)), although threefold higher than in the patients during study 1 (P < 0.05), was still approximately 60% lower than in the control subjects (P < 0.05). These data suggest that when assessed in vivo, both transmembrane transport and intracellular phosphorylation of glucose are refractory to insulin action and add to each other in determining insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of NIDDM patients. It will be of interest to compare the present results with the in vivo quantitation of the initial rate of muscle glucose transport when methodology to perform this measurement becomes available.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

[Local transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the palliative treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a tumor with high mortality. Adequate oncological therapy is essential to modify the poor prognosis. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation has been proposed as a useful and well-tolerated treatment for unresectable carcinoma. In the study 51 patients with unresectable carcinoma (mean age 61.6, range 45-81, Child-Pugh A = 34 patients, Child-B = 13, Child-C = 4; Okuda I = 33 patients, Okuda II = 18) underwent chemoembolisation. A total of 122 procedure were performed, with a median number of 2.4 (range 1-6) per patient. One and two year survivals are 91% and 74% respectively (Child-A: 100% and 82%; Child-B: 100% and 63%; Child-C 0% at 1 year). The difference among the 3 groups is statistically significant (p = 0.001). Median overall survival is 20 months, with 22, 20 and 6 month in Child-A, B and C patients respectively (p = 0.006). Commonly reported side effects and biochemical changes included: fever, pain and increased serum amylase, transaminase levels. One patient developed a liver abscess and died of liver failure. In addition, in 18 patients (35%) mild to severe changes in glucose metabolism were also observed. Mild hyperglycemia was observed in 14 patients, with severe derangement in 4 patients (8%). It is suggested that careful evaluation of glucose metabolism is advisable in patients being considered for chemoembolisation. Their results confirm the usefulness of chemoembolisation in Child-A and B patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aged↗

What therapy do our NIDDM patients need? Insulin releasers.

NIDDM is the result of concomitant defects in both insulin secretion and insulin action. Although plasma insulin concentration in NIDDM patients may be normal or even increased as compared to normal individuals, insulin secretion is always impaired when related to ambient hyperglycemia. Moreover, the loss of first-phase insulin secretion is always present and it occurs at the very early stage of the disease. The defect in the early release of insulin may have quite an impact in post-prandial glucose homeostasis, due to inadequate suppression of hepatic glucose production. Therefore, insulin releasers should be able; 1. to increase total insulin secretory capacity, and 2. to restore physiologic profile of insulin secretion. However, this is rarely achieved with the current therapeutical tools. Sulfonylureas may exert some suppressive action on the liver and may maintain a portal-peripheral venous insulin gradient. Metformin may improve insulin sensitivity but has no effect on the beta-cell. Exogenous insulin exerts an inhibitory effect on hepatic glucose production but it does not maintain the physiologic gradient, neither can it mimic first-phase insulin secretion. Therefore, more appropriate tools must be sought. Prompt stimulation of insulin secretion can be elicited by alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonists, but their clinical use is still under evaluation. New sulfonylureas are under development, though some of them may exert a better peripheral action than more potent stimulation of the beta-cell. Special interest has been focused on incretin peptides. Infusion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in NIDDM patients improves glucose tolerance through enhancement of acute release of insulin, suppression of glucagon secretion, and improvement of peripheral glucose utilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Basal plasma insulin levels exert a qualitative but not quantitative effect on glucose-mediated glucose uptake.

UNLABELLED: We assessed the effect of hyperglycemia on glucose uptake in the presence of normal basal insulin levels or somatostatin-induced hypoinsulinemia in seven normal volunteers during a 200-min hyperglycemic clamp (+ 9 mmol/l) carried out with [3-3H]glucose and indirect calorimetry. Hyperglycemia increased glucose uptake to 22.4 +/- 2.6 and 21.3 +/- 1.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1 with and without insulin replacement, respectively. Normoinsulinemia increased glucose oxidation (delta = + 4.5 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1) and nonoxidative glucose metabolism (delta = + 5.2 +/- 1.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1), whereas with insulinopenia, glucose oxidation did not change (delta = -0.3 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1), and nonoxidative glucose metabolism increased (delta = + 48.7 +/- 0.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Nonoxidative glucose metabolism was higher during insulinopenic (13.5 +/- 1.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1) than normoinsulinemic hyperglycemia (9.8 +/- 2.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.01). Plasma FFA concentration and lipid oxidation were higher with insulinopenia. Blood lactate and alanine concentrations were greater with normoinsulinemia. IN CONCLUSION: 1) hyperglycemia promotes glucose uptake by stimulating both nonoxidative and oxidative glucose disposal; 2) the ability of hyperglycemia to enhance total body glucose uptake is similar with and without normoinsulinemia; 3) although acute insulinopenia does not impair the ability of hyperglycemia to stimulate glucose uptake, it plays a critical role in determining the intracellular metabolic fate of glucose taken up in response to hyperglycemia.

Adult↗

Bedtime insulin/daytime glipizide. Effective therapy for sulfonylurea failures in NIDDM.

Bedtime insulin (BI)/daytime sulfonylurea (DSU) therapy was studied double-blind in 30 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus subjects in whom sulfonylurea (SU) therapy had failed. Subjects were switched to glipizide for 2 months (phase I) to confirm failure (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] 12.0 +/- 0.4 mmol/l) and then randomly assigned into three groups: BI-DSU; BI-no DSU; and DSU-no BI. During phase II (3 months), the BI dose was fixed (20 U/1.73 m2, low-dose). In phase III (3 months), BI was titrated up (high-dose) to achieve good control or until hypoglycemic symptoms prevented further dose increases. In phase IV (6 months), 25 of the 30 original subjects received open-labeled, high-dose BI-DSU. Low-dose BI-DSU markedly reduced FPG (13.6 +/- 0.8 to 8.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, P < 0.001), mean 24-h glucose (P < 0.001), HbA1c (8.9 +/- 0.7 to 7.6 +/- 0.3%, P = 0.07), and basal hepatic glucose production (HGP) (P < 0.005). A positive correlation (r = 0.69, P < 0.05) between the declines in FPG and HGP was observed. Neither low-dose BI alone nor DSU alone reduced FPG, mean 24-h glucose, HbA1c, or basal HGP. High-dose (40 +/- 5 U/day) BI plus DSU further reduced the FPG (6.3 +/- 0.6 mmol/l), HbA1c (7.1 +/- 0.3%), mean 24-h plasma glucose, and basal HGP (all P < 0.05 vs. phase II).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Insulin sensitivity is not impaired in Mexican-American women without a family history of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to compare insulin sensitivity in Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites without a family history of diabetes to establish whether insulin resistance is a defect intrinsically related to subjects of Mexican origin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In study A, we compared insulin sensitivity in 12 Mexican-American and 12 non-Hispanic white women with normal glucose tolerance and no family history of diabetes. In study B, we compared insulin sensitivity in two groups of normal glucose-tolerant Mexican-Americans, nine with a positive (FHD+) and nine with a negative (FHD-) family history of diabetes. In both studies, the groups were closely matched for age, total body fat content, and fat topography. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with the euglycemic insulin clamp (20 microU.min-1.m2 surface area) which was performed in combination with tritiated glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry. Total fat mass and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed by a tritiated water dilution technique, and regional fat distribution was evaluated by anthropometry and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: During a 4-h euglycemic insulin clamp (study A), rates (mg.min-1.kg FFM-1) of total (6.32 +/- 0.64 vs. 6.62 +/- 0.81), oxidative (3.54 +/- 0.24 vs. 3.51 +/- 0.19), and nonoxidative (2.78 +/- 0.48 vs. 3.11 +/- 0.75) glucose utilization were similar in Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites; hepatic glucose production (0.33 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.13) was suppressed similarly in both groups. During a 2-h euglycemic insulin clamp (study B), Mexican-Americans with FHD+ had lower rates of insulin-mediated total (3.55 +/- 0.39 vs. 5.93 +/- 0.59, P < 0.001), oxidative (3.31 +/- 0.25 vs. 4.32 +/- 0.17, P < 0.01), and nonoxidative (0.24 +/- 0.28 vs. 1.61 +/- 0.49, P < 0.01) glucose disposal than subjects with FHD-; suppression of hepatic glucose production (0.24 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.12) was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in the absence of a family history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Mexican-American women are not less sensitive to insulin than non-Hispanic white women.

Adipose Tissue↗