Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S E Inzucchi

Publications and source records attributed to S E Inzucchi.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Impaired insulin sensitivity among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of impaired insulin sensitivity among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or nondisabling ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eligible subjects were nondiabetic men and women over age 45 years who were hospitalized with a TIA or ischemic stroke. To measure insulin sensitivity, subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test between 2 and 6 months after their event. Impaired insulin sensitivity was defined by a value of < or =2.5 on the Composite Insulin Sensitivity Index derived from insulin and glucose values during the test. RESULTS: Between July 2000 and June 2001, we identified 177 eligible patients, among whom 105 declined to participate and 72 enrolled. The median age of participants was 71 years and 46 (64%) were men. The baseline event was stroke for 57 subjects (79%). A history of myocardial infarction (MI) was reported by 14 subjects (19%), and 16 (22%) were obese (body mass index > 30). Fasting glucose was normal (<110 mg/dL) for 58 (80%) participants and impaired (110 to 125 mg/dL) for 14 (20%). Among 72 participants, the median insulin sensitivity index value was 2.6 (range 0.9 to 10.2). The prevalence of impaired insulin sensitivity was 36 of 72 (50%, 95% CI 38% to 62%). Impaired insulin sensitivity was more prevalent among younger patients and patients with obesity, lacunar stroke etiology, and disability (Rankin grade >1). CONCLUSION: Impaired insulin sensitivity is highly prevalent among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or nondisabling ischemic stroke. This finding has important therapeutic implications if treatment to improve insulin sensitivity is shown to reduce risk for subsequent stroke and heart disease.

Aged↗

Insulin resistance and risk for stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Resistance to insulin-mediated glucose uptake by peripheral tissues is a cardinal defect in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is also common among nondiabetic individuals, and may be an important risk factor for stroke in both populations. The authors review the definition, epidemiology, and treatment of insulin resistance. METHODS: The authors searched Medline (1977-2001) and reviewed bibliographies to identify pertinent English-language publications. RESULTS: Insulin resistance is present in most patients with type 2 diabetes. It is also common among elderly persons, certain ethnic groups, and persons with hypertension, obesity, physical deconditioning, and vascular disease. The principal pathophysiologic defect is impaired intracellular signaling in muscle tissue leading to defective glycogen synthesis. Insulin resistance is associated with numerous metabolic, hematologic, and cellular events that promote atherosclerosis and coagulation. The association between insulin resistance and risk for stroke has been examined in four case-control studies and five prospective observational cohort studies. Six of the nine studies are methodologically sound and provide evidence that insulin resistance is associated with risk for stroke. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance may be a prevalent risk factor for stroke. New drugs can safely reduce insulin resistance and may have a role in stroke prevention.

Animals↗

The frequency of undiagnosed diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with idiopathic sensory neuropathy.

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with idiopathic sensory neuropathy. Patients were separated into two groups depending on presence or absence of painful symptoms, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Of the 48 patients studied, those with painful symptoms had a higher frequency of abnormal glucose metabolism than literature-based controls, whereas patients without painful symptoms showed no difference. Comparison of patients with and without painful symptoms had a P-value of 0.02. The results indicate the need to consider undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with idiopathic sensory neuropathy.

Adult↗

Mechanism by which metformin reduces glucose production in type 2 diabetes.

To examine the mechanism by which metformin lowers endogenous glucose production in type 2 diabetic patients, we studied seven type 2 diabetic subjects, with fasting hyperglycemia (15.5 +/- 1.3 mmol/l), before and after 3 months of metformin treatment. Seven healthy subjects, matched for sex, age, and BMI, served as control subjects. Rates of net hepatic glycogenolysis, estimated by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, were combined with estimates of contributions to glucose production of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, measured by labeling of blood glucose by 2H from ingested 2H2O. Glucose production was measured using [6,6-2H2]glucose. The rate of glucose production was twice as high in the diabetic subjects as in control subjects (0.70 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.03 mmol x m(-2) min(-1), P < 0.0001). Metformin reduced that rate by 24% (to 0.53 +/- 0.03 mmol x m(-2) x min(-1), P = 0.0009) and fasting plasma glucose concentration by 30% (to 10.8 +/- 0.9 mmol/l, P = 0.0002). The rate of gluconeogenesis was three times higher in the diabetic subjects than in the control subjects (0.59 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.03 mmol x m(-2) min(-1) and metformin reduced that rate by 36% (to 0.38 +/- 0.03 mmol x m(-2) x min(-1), P = 0.01). By the 2H2O method, there was a twofold increase in rates of gluconeogenesis in diabetic subjects (0.42 +/- 0.04 mmol m(-2) x min(-1), which decreased by 33% after metformin treatment (0.28 +/- 0.03 mmol x m(-2) x min(-1), P = 0.0002). There was no glycogen cycling in the control subjects, but in the diabetic subjects, glycogen cycling contributed to 25% of glucose production and explains the differences between the two methods used. In conclusion, patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes have increased rates of endogenous glucose production, which can be attributed to increased rates of gluconeogenesis. Metformin lowered the rate of glucose production in these patients through a reduction in gluconeogenesis.

Calorimetry, Indirect↗

Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary gland.

Many malignancies may present with metastases to the pituitary gland. The association of thyroid carcinoma with pituitary metastases is, however, very rare. This report describes two patients in whom metastases from a papillary thyroid carcinoma to the pituitary gland resulted in panhypopituitarism with blunted endogenous thyrotropin (TSH) production following withdrawal of levothyroxine. Both required the use of recombinant human TSH prior to radioiodine therapy. Symptoms of hypopituitarism may be difficult to distinguish clinically from those of hypothyroidism in the setting of levothyroxine withdrawal. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical and biochemical manifestations of this rare association.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Pulmonary hypertension caused by Graves' thyrotoxicosis: normal pulmonary hemodynamics restored by (131)I treatment.

We describe a case of pulmonary hypertension, initially thought to be idiopathic, which resolved after treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism. Results of pulmonary artery catheterization before and after treatment are reported, and the effects of thyrotoxicosis on hemodynamics and pulmonary function are briefly reviewed. Possible mechanisms for development of pulmonary hypertension caused by hyperthyroidism include pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction or damage because of autoimmunity or the high cardiac output state, or increased metabolism of intrinsic pulmonary vasodilators.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Efficacy and metabolic effects of metformin and troglitazone in type II diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy is logical for patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus, because they often have poor responses to single-drug therapy. We studied the efficacy and physiologic effects of metformin and troglitazone alone and in combination in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We randomly assigned 29 patients to receive either metformin or troglitazone for three months, after which they were given both drugs for another three months. Plasma glucose concentrations during fasting and postprandially and glycosylated hemoglobin values were measured periodically during both treatments. Endogenous glucose production and peripheral glucose disposal were measured at base line and after three and six months. RESULTS: During metformin therapy, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations decreased by 20 percent (58 mg per deciliter [3.2 mmol per liter], P<0.001) and 25 percent (87 mg per deciliter [4.8 mmol per liter], P<0.001), respectively. The corresponding decreases during troglitazone therapy were 20 percent (54 mg per deciliter [2.9 mmol per liter], P=0.01) and 25 percent (83 mg per deciliter [4.6 mmol per liter], P<0.001). Endogenous glucose production decreased during metformin therapy by a mean of 19 percent (P=0.001), whereas it was unchanged by troglitazone therapy (P=0.04 for the comparison between groups). The mean rate of glucose disposal increased by 54 percent during troglitazone therapy (P=0.006) and 13 percent during metformin therapy (P= 0.03 for the comparison within the group and between groups). In combination, metformin and troglitazone further lowered fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations by 18 percent (41 mg per deciliter [2.3 mmol per liter], P=0.001) and 21 percent (54 mg per deciliter [3.0 mmol per liter], P<0.001), respectively, and the mean glycosylated hemoglobin value decreased 1.2 percentage points. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin and troglitazone have equal and additive beneficial effects on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metformin acts primarily by decreasing endogenous glucose production, and troglitazone by increasing the rate of peripheral glucose disposal.

Administration, Oral↗

Ectopic thymic carcinoid masquerading as a thyroid nodule.

A 26-year old woman presented with a thyroid nodule. Ultrasound and scintigraphy confirmed the presence of a 3.5-cm non-functioning mass in the left lobe. A fine needle aspiration demonstrated unusual, malignant-appearing cells, and thyroidectomy was performed. At gross pathological sectioning, the lesion was clearly attached to, but not part of, the thyroid. Microscopic features indicated an atypical carcinoid arising in a cervical remnant of the thymus. This appears to be the first case of ectopic thymic carcinoid presenting as a thyroid nodule.

Adult↗

Growth hormone in adults: indications and implications.

Adults with hypopituitarism and documented growth hormone deficiency are now eligible for replacement therapy. What are the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment? More broadly, what are the implications for other adults with hyposomatotropism-namely, the elderly? And is there a therapeutic role for the hormone in patients with disease states such as osteoporosis, heart failure, and acute catabolic illness?

Adult↗

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein(1-36) is equipotent to PTH(1-34) in humans.

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) results from the production of PTH-related protein (PTHrP) by human tumors. One previous study has reported the results of human (h) PTHrP(1-34) infusion into humans. In that report, hPTHrP(1-34) was found to be qualitatively similar to but 3- to 10-fold less potent than hPTH(1-34). Because hPTHrP(1-36) and not hPTH(1-34) is likely to be the actual amino-terminal secretory form of PTHrP, and because this previously reported lack of potency was unexpected, we repeated these studies using hPTHrP(1-36) and compared the results with those obtained with hPTH(1-34). Healthy subjects (n = 30) were infused over 6 h with either vehicle alone, hPTH(1-34) at a dose of 8 pmol/kg.h, or hPTHrP(1-36) at doses of 8 or 80 pmol/kg.h. Both hPTH(1-34) and hPTHrP(1-36) caused an increase in serum ionized calcium, a decrease in serum phosphorus, an increase in the fractional excretion of phosphorus, a decrease in the tubular maximum for phosphorus, an increase in nephrogenous cAMP excretion, and suppression of endogenous PTH(1-84). Unlike events observed in HHM, hPTHrP(1-36) induced an increase in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2. In addition, fractional excretion of calcium was reduced by both hPTH(1-34) and hPTHrP(1-36). In their actions on serum calcium, renal calcium and phosphorus handling, and nephrogenous cAMP excretion, hPTHrP(1-36) and hPTH(1-34) appeared equivalent in potency. These studies indicate that short-term infusion of hPTHrP(1-36) into humans reproduces most but not all of the features of HHM. In contrast to the reported findings with hPTHrP(1-34), we found the potency of hPTHrP(1-36) to be comparable with that of hPTH(1-34) in vivo in humans. In addition, unlike the situation in HHM, hPTHrP(1-36) produces an increment in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2. Finally, hPTHrP(1-36) has been shown for the first time to have anticalciuric effects in humans. This would suggest that, in addition to osteoclastic bone resorption, tubular reabsorbtion of calcium by hPTHrP may contribute to the hypercalcemia in patients with HHM.

Adult↗

Clinical review 61: Effects of growth hormone on human bone biology.

GH has considerable importance in the normal development and growth of bone. An additional role in the maintenance of the adult skeleton is suggested by the alterations in bone mineral density observed in states of deficient or excess GH secretion and in the bone formation response to GH replacement in GHD patients. Deficiency in the secretion of GH is also observed, with increasing and striking frequency after middle-age despite the lack of any defined pituitary disease or injury. Although a causal relationship between hyposomatotropism and osteopenia in normal elderly patients is hypothetical, intriguing therapeutic questions are raised. Preliminary trials of hGH in osteoporosis have not resulted in increases in BMD, but such studies suffer from methodological limitations, chief of which is the failure to account for the GH/IGF-I status of their subjects. Osteopenic patients with the lowest IGF-I levels may need to be assessed independently. The utility of hGH may be in preventing the senile component of osteoporosis, which appears to result mainly from defective bone formation. Such studies will require appropriate patient selection, longer treatment periods, and more sensitive measures of bone density. Combination and/or coherence therapy with other agents, particularly those that attenuate bone resorption, may also prove useful.

Bone Development↗

Sequential hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and the carcinoid syndrome arising from a plurihormonal neuroendocrine neoplasm.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the first patient with a neuroendocrine tumor secreting serotonin, insulin, and glucagon and having the corresponding clinical syndromes. METHODS: We present a detailed case report, including serial laboratory and clinical findings, in a man with type 2 diabetes, symptomatic hypoglycemia, and the carcinoid syndrome and in whom a plurihormonal metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasm was ultimately diagnosed. RESULTS: In a 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, which was treated effectively with a sulfonylurea for 7 years, episodes of hypoglycemia developed. After discontinuation of the orally administered agent, the hypoglycemic episodes initially resolved but then recurred and were associated with inappropriately increased plasma insulin concentrations. In addition, the patient had symptoms and biochemical evidence of the carcinoid syndrome. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed multiple hypodense lesions in the liver, and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of a liver mass was performed. Undifferentiated neuroendocrine tumor with hepatic metastatic involvement was diagnosed. After a hepatic artery embolization procedure, the hypoglycemia was alleviated, but hyperglycemia soon recurred, associated with inappropriately increased serum glucagon concentrations. The patient's course strongly suggested the presence of a plurihormonal tumor secreting serotonin, insulin, and glucagon. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with a neuroendocrine neoplasm secreting serotonin, glucagon, and insulin, manifested by the carcinoid syndrome, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia.

Blood Glucose↗