Endocrine Abstracts

Many studies have been demonstrated that baicalin, a kind of flavonoid isolated from an important medicinal plant Scutellariae Radix, could inhibit tumorigenesis, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. So this study was designed to investigate whether baicalin could perturb the cell cycle progression on insulinoma cell line, RINm5F, from American Type Culture Collection and discuss the possibly molecular mechanisms. After baicalin treatment, changes in morphology ...

In recent studies pancreatic stellate cells, an undifferentiated cell type, have the capacity of extended selfrenewal and are able to differentiate spontaneously into cell types of all three germ layers expressing markers for smooth muscle cells, neurons, glial cells, epithelial cells, chondrocytes and secretory cells (insulin, amylase). Here we investigated the protocol that induced pancreatic stellate-like cells to neuron in vitro. Pancreatic stellate-like cells from adult S...

The hypoglycaemic effect of Syzygium (i) cordatum (i) leaf extract was studied in non-diabetic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The crude was subjected to column chromatography and spectroscopic analysis. Non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rats were orally administered glucose (1.4 g.100 kg-1 (super -1) body weight) followed by extract (6 mg.100-1g (super -1) body weight). Weekly plasma glucose and terminal hepatic glycogen concentrations were recorded in control STZ...

Loss of normal blood-brain barrier (BBB) function is an integral feature of the neuroinflammatory process in the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Our previous studies using EAE as the experimental model of MS have demonstrated that restoration of BBB function is associated with an improved clinical status. The vasoactive peptide ADM works in an autocrine manner on endothelial cells of the vasculature and is produced at particularly high levels within the ne...

Increases in proinflammatory pathways and macrophages in adipose tissue (AT) have been implicated in the metabolic complications of obesity (1). Nutrient-restriction (NR) in early to mid gestation reduces maternal plasma cortisol and increases fetal AT (2). Uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 is genetically linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, and has been implicated in macrophage-mediated immunity. The effect of maternal NR in early to mid and late gestation on UCP2 and glucocortico...

INTRODUCTION:Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most important problems which has greater health care impact in Spain. It is concluded from the DCCT study on DM1 and UKPDS in DM2 that control of HbA1c levels is essential to reduce chronic complications. Guidelines suggest maintaining HbA1c levels below 7%.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Design: Epidemiological, longitudinal, prospective and multicenter study in Spain, with two cohorts, DM1 (n=40...

Anabolic steroids enhance performance in atheletes, but can lead to life threatening consequences. We report a 33-year-old male amateur body-builder using anabolic steroids, presenting with acute inferolateral myocardial infraction and marked hyperlipidaemia. He had no known cardiovascular risk factors. Despite rapid thrombolysis, peak creatinine kinase was 3,348 iu/l, signifying significant myocardial damage and a markedly raised total cholesterol of 10.6 mmol/l, with a low H...

Objectives: To evaluate the precipitants of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to audit its management in a busy District General Hospital following the introduction of local guidelines.Methods: Data on all patients admitted with DKA between January 2003 and March 2004 were collected and analysed and clinical management was audited against the standards set in the guidelines.Results: Seventy eight episodes were recorded in 70 patients...

IntroductionThe association between Type 2 diabetes and decreased quality of life (QoL) scores has been well documented. Insulin resistance (IR) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. In this study we assess the impact of increasing IR on QoL scores in patients yet to develop or with previously unknown diabetes diagnosed at screening review, and consider the effect of IHD as a potential confounder of these...

AbstractThe diagnosis of osteomyelitis in diabetes mellitus remains a challenge. This study was conducted to evaluate the infection scintigraphy with instantly prepared single vial kit, radio-labelled ciprofloxacin (Diagnobact TM), as a mean to detect bone infection; in comparison with bacterial culture as gold standard. Written consent was taken from all patients including approval from institute ethics committee. Twenty-five patients with diabetic foot...

Dissection or rupture of the aorta accounts for death in 2-8% of women with Turner Syndrome (TS), and dilatation of the aortic root, has been reported as a predisposing factor. We compared measures of arterial structure, stiffness and endothelial function to investigate whether women with TS have a fundamental arterial wall defect which extends beyond the arch of the aorta. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained.Age-matched women with TS (n=93), 46...

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in women with Turner Syndrome(TS), and may be congenital or acquired. There is a high prevalence of risk factors for ischaemic heart disease(IHD) including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and obesity. This oestrogen dose-ranging vascular physiology study compared women with TS (n=14) and 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis(GD) (n=11) to determine the relative contributions of oestrogen deficiency and genetics, and to assess the...

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a multifunctional peptide which plays a significant role in vasodilation, angiogenisis and septic shock. It exerts its effects via the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) in combination with either receptor associated protein (RAMP) 2 or 3. However the regulation of the ADM receptors is still widely unknown (1). In the present study the effects of adrenomedullin on immortalized Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMECs) was investigated. Endothe...

This 24-week, multicentre, open, parallel group study compared the efficacy and safety of two different regimens for initiating insulin therapy. Insulin-naive patients with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels >=6.7 mmol/L (>=120 mg/dL) and HbA1c levels 7.5-10.5% on oral antidiabetic agents (OADs: glimepiride [Amaryl] or other sulfonylureas plus metformin) were randomized to insulin glargine (LANTUS) once daily in the morning with continued OADs (Glarg + OADs) o...

Transient insulin resistance (IR) is a recognized facet of metabolic phenotype in pubertal boys. However, it remains unknown how the Y chromosome and adolescence as a transition from pubertal period to adulthood affects markers of insulin resistance, particularly in relation to body mass index, blood pressure and androgens.We analyzed associations among indicators of insulin resistance, total adiposity, androgen profile and the Y chromosome in a sample of 1745 males divided in...

This study examined the effects of maternal diet during late pregnancy and body shape at birth, on postnatal plasma concentrations of IGF1 and leptin.From day 85 of gestation pregnant sows were offered the standard diet (S: n=4) or the S diet plus 30% extra energy derived from either carbohydrate (C: n=5) or palm oil (PO: n=5). Piglets were selected from the normal distribution curve of Ponderal Index (PI: kg/m3), long and thin (Thin<10 <su...

IntroductionCurrent guidelines advocate the use of statins in all patients with diabetes for primary prevention of CHD, regardless of cholesterol levels. Measurement of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in diabetic patients is reported to offer a superior prognostic assessment of an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease than the Framingham Risk assessment. To date, there have been no studies of CACS in the UK diabetic population.<p class="ab...

The endogenous growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), ghrelin, is an important regulator of energy homeostasis. Peripheral and central administration of ghrelin increase food intake, body weight and fat mass, effects which are mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R 1a). Although the central actions of ghrelin on adiposity have been extensively studied, the direct peripheral effects of ghrelin on adipose tissue remain poorly understood. This study aimed...