Significance of fibronectin in diabetes mellitus with osteoarthrosis

Association of diabetes mellitus and osteoarthrosis has been discussed since quiet long time. The mechanism of osteoarthrosis in diabetes mellitus may be due to insulin deficiency which is essential for mucopolysaccharides synthesis. The ability of the fibronectin [FN] to bind to fibrinogen and collagen suggests that it may have a role in tissue response to inflammatory stimuli. The aim of this study was to estimate FN level in plasma in cases of diabetes with atherosclerosis and to show whether the diabetic state can affect plasma fibronectin level. Forty diabetic patients were the candidates of this study, 25 had the clinical and radiological evidence of osteoarthrosis and the remaining 15 had no osteoarthrosis. Plasma FN concentration was significantly elevated among diabetic patients with osteoarthrosis. No significant correlation was found between plasma FN and the age or weight of patients, duration of the diabetes and the blood glucose level neither in the osteoarthritic diabetic patients nor in the diabetic patients with no osteoarthrosis. This means that osteoarthrosis may be the causative factor for increased plasma FN. Further study comparing plasma FN and synovial FN in diabetic osteoarthrosis is recommended

Some epidemiological features of diabetes mellitus among health insured workers of 3 spinning companies in Alexandria

This work was conducted in Rushdy diabetic health insurance center in Alexandria in the period from April to June 1986, Two hundred fifty health insured diabetic workers were randomly selected from 3 spinning companies [using the proportional allocation method] together with an equally distributed control group of 250 persons. Personal, socioeconomic and fertility data were recorded and sheets were filled out including dietary pattern, habits, working conditions, duration of the disease, medical care and complications. Results showed no significant differences between cases and controls as regards the mean age, marital status, degree of education and per capita income per month, significant differences were observed between diabetics and controls regarding type of work, preferred food, smooking habits, weight and skin fold thickness [the latter for males only]. Compared to controls, female diabetics were found to have a longer mean duration of marriage, higher fertility, and higher incidence of complications in the new born. Neuropathy and cardiovascular problems were the most frequent complications encountered in the diabetic group studied. About 80% of the diabetics were regular in taking the treatment. Most of diabetics [88%] were on oral treatment plus diet. In the period of the study, the absenteesim among diabetics was significantly higher than that of controls

effect of comparison of complex carbohydrates and high fibre preparations on post-prandial blood glucose and insulin levels in non-insulin dependent diabetics

Since the last decade, the physiological effects of dietary fibres and their possible role in prevention and management of many diseases have been emphasized. The aim of the present work has been to study the possible effects of supplementary different complex carbohydrates, consumed by the Egyptian population, with high fibre preparation, on the post-prandial blood glucose and insulin levels- in non-insulin dependent diabetics. This work has been carried out on 30 NIDD, who have been subjected to oral carbohydrate tolerance tests using boiled rice, boiled potatoes or bread [equivalent to 75 g glucose] at different occasions. Then the same patients have been subjected to the same tests after supplementing each carbohydrate load with high fibre preparation in the form of ceral bran and citrus fruit fibres. Blood glucose and insulin levels have been estimated using RIA technique for the latter. The maximum increment rise of glucose occurred at 90 minutes post-prandial and rice elecited the lowest glucose response, while potatoes elecited the highest one. Similarly rice elecited the lowest plasma insulin response. Supplementation of fibres led to marked and significant reduction of blood glucose level at 60 and 90 minutes in cases of rice and bread [P < 0.05] while the reduction is not significant in cases of potatoes [P > 0.05]. On the other hand addition of high fibre preparation did not affect siguificantly insulin resnonse