Postprandial plasma glucose excursions and cognitive functioning in aged type 2 diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) excursion is a significant determinant of overall metabolic control as well as an increased risk for diabetic complications. Older persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are more likely to have moderate cognitive deficits and neurophysiologic and structural changes in brain tissue. Considering that poor metabolic control is considered a deranging factor for tissue/organ damage in diabetics, the authors hypothesized that PPG excursion is associated with a decline in cognitive functioning and that a tighter control of PPG may prevent cognitive decline. METHODS: Two groups of aged diabetic patients were randomly selected to be treated with repaglinide (n = 77) or glibenclamide (n = 79). RESULTS: Coefficient of variation of PPG (CV-PPG) was associated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (r = -0.3410; p < 0.001) and a composite score of executive and attention functioning (r = -0.3744; p < 0.001) after adjusting for multiple confounders. Both groups showed a significant decline in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), but only the repaglinide group demonstrated a significant decline of CV-PPG over time. In models investigating the change in cognitive functioning over time, adjusted for HbA1c and CV-FPG, a decline in cognitive functioning was observed only in the glibenclamide group (p < 0.001). After adjusting for CV-PPG, the authors no longer found a decline in executive and attention functioning composite score (p = 0.085) or the MMSE (p = 0.080) with glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: Exaggerated postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions are associated with a derangement of both global, executive, and attention functioning. A tighter control of PPG may prevent cognitive decline in older diabetic individuals.

[Criss-cross dermis suspension in the treatment of breast hypertrophy]. / La sospensione dermica a criss-cross nella correzione dell'ipertrofia mammaria.

AIM: The results obtained with a technique using the dermis suspension associated with a central pedicled dermo-glandular-adipose flap, for the durable filling of the superior pole over time, are presented. METHODS: Forty patients, affected by marked mammary hypertrophy, have been selected and divided into 2 groups (A, B) of 20 patients each. In both groups we have used a reduction mammaplasty technique based on a superior-medial dermo-glandular flap associated with a central pedicled dermo-glandular-adipose flap. In group B we have associated the preparation of the dermal brassiere crossed as a bra (criss-cross). In the follow-up of 15 months in average (range 8-24), we evaluated: the sensitiveness of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) using a visual analogic scale; the degree of mammary ptosis measuring the distance of the NAC from the jugulum and the distance between the areola and the submammary fold; the persistence of the filling of the superior pole, initially emptied, and the length of the scars. RESULTS: The sensitiveness of the NAC in both groups was satisfactory in 72% (29/40) of the cases (P<0.001). The filling of the superior pole by a central pedicled dermo-glandular-adipose flap was satisfactory in both groups in the initial phase. The comparison between the 2 groups of patients showed, in the follow-up of 24 months, an areolar ptosis of 1.5 cm inferior in average (1 cm group A against 2.5 cm group B in average) and a marked decrease of the ptosis of the lower pole (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients of group B the preparation of the dermal brassiere (criss-cross) led to an improvement of the stabilization of the form over time and a considerable decrease of the postoperative ptosis.

Repaglinide has more beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors than glimepiride: data from meal-test study.

Aim our study is to compare the effects of repaglinide vs glimepiride administration on cardiovascular risk factors after meal test. Thus, after 2 weeks washout period, a 3-month randomised, cross-over parallel group trial of repaglinide (1 mg x 2/day) vs glimepiride (2 mg/day) in 14 patients with type 2 diabetes "naive" on diet treatment was made. Both treatments significantly declined plasma glucose, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, PAI-1, PAP levels and increased HDL-cholesterol. Lowering in plasma PAI-1 and PAP levels was significantly greater in repaglinide group. Furthermore, repaglinide administration resulted in a significant decrease in fasting plasma free fatty acids, fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex and reaction product of malondialdehyde with thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) levels, in absence of significant difference in fasting plasma insulin levels. Decrease in plasma TBARS levels correlated with the decrease in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (r = 0.72; P < 0.003) and free fatty acids concentrations (r = 0.62; P < 0.01). Analysis of the insulin and glucose concentrations throughout the meal test revealed that AUC for glucose (758 +/- 19 vs 780 +/- 28 mg/Lxmin; P = 0.02) was significantly lower after repaglinide than glimepiride administration despite similar AUC for insulin (2327 +/- 269 vs 2148 +/- 292 mU/Lxmin; P = 0.105). At time 120' of meal test, repaglinide vs glimepiride administration was associated with a significant decline in plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids, fibrinogen, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, plasmin-alpha(2)-antiplasmin complex, thrombin-antithrombin complex, TBARS levels and increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. In repaglinide group a negative correlation between insulin secretion during 1st phase of meal-test and plasma TBARS levels (r = -0.55; P < 0.03) at time 120' was found. Such correlation was lost after adjusting for changes in postprandial hyperglycaemia (r = -0.48; P < 0.09). In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that repaglinide is more efficient than glimepiride on controlling for postprandial glucose excursion and may have beneficial effect on reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Is dermolipectomy effective in improving insulin action and lowering inflammatory markers in obese women?

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, and surgical treatment of obese patients as part of a multidisciplinary approach seems to provide faster results than diet therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dermolipectomy on insulin action and inflammatory markers in 20 obese women. PATIENTS: At baseline and 40 days after dermolipectomy, 20 obese women underwent indirect calorimetry and hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp. Twenty obese nonsmoking females (age range 25--40 years) volunteered for the study. All subjects had a stable body weight for 2 months before the study. No patient was affected by cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, acute or chronic hepatitis, renal insufficiency or cancer. No patients was receiving any drug therapy and all measurements were made during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: At baseline, fat mass (FM) correlated with plasma triglycerides (r=.58, P<0.009), free fatty acids (FFA) (r=0.73, P<0.001), insulin (r=0.70, P<0.002), leptin (r=0.55, P<0.01), adiponectin (r=-0.32, P<0.02) and resistin (r=0.31, P<0.01), insulin sensitivity (IS) (r=-0.59, P<0.005) and respiratory quotient (Rq) (r=0.62, P<0.002). With regard to inflammatory markers, FM was significantly correlated with plasma interleukin (IL)-6 (r=0.71, P<0.001), IL-10 (r=-0.67, P<0.002), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (r=0.78, P<0.001) and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r) (r=-0.65, P<0.003). Dermolipectomy resulted in a significant decline in total FM of 2.3+/- 0.2 kg. A significant decline in BMI was also observed (30.0+/- 0.08 vs. 31.1+/- 0.7 kg/m(2)). After 40 days a significant decline in plasma resistin (P<0.001) and inflammatory markers and an increase in plasma adiponectin (P<0.03) were observed. Those metabolic changes were accompanied by a significant improvement in insulin-mediated glucose uptake (P<0.001), substrate oxidation and degree of inflammation. Changes in FM following dermolipectomy correlated with the changes in IS (P<0.01), substrate oxidation and FFA (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients, dermolipectomy is associated with weight lost, improved glucose handling and lower inflammatory markers.

Resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient in human longevity.

Significant changes in body composition, body fat distribution, and resting metabolic rate (RMR) occur with aging. Interestingly, studies on human longevity pointed out that long-lived subjects are less prone to the anthropometrics and metabolic derangement normally observed in the elderly. Indeed, the relationship between energy expenditure and longevity has been poorly investigated. Thus, energy expenditure parameters of 28 long-lived subjects were assessed and compared with those of 26 adults and 27 younger elderly. All subjects enrolled were female. In the whole population, RMR was negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05), waist to hip ratio (WHR) (P < 0.001), fat mass (P < 0.001), and percent body fat (P < 0.03); respiratory quotient (Rq) displayed an age-related decrease (P < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with WHR (P < 0.001) and fat-free mass (FFM) (P < 0.006). In multivariate analysis, both RMR and Rq had FFM, WHR, but not body mass index as significant and independent determinants. Splitting the whole study group into subgroups according to age, long-lived subjects had oxygen volume, carbon dioxide volume, and Rq significantly higher than aged subjects but lower than adult subjects. In addition, long-lived subjects had total volume of expired air and RMR greater than aged subjects but not different from ones found in adults. In long-lived subjects, Rq was negatively correlated with percent body fat (P < 0.02), plasma glucose (P < 0.05), free fatty acid (P < 0.05), and WHR (P < 0.05), whereas RMR was negatively correlated with WHR (P < 0.05). No significant associations of RMR and Rq with FFM were found. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that human longevity seems protected toward an age-related decline. It is likely that the lack of the anthropometrics derangement may preserve long-lived subjects from the age-related decrease in energy metabolism.

Repaglinide is more efficient than glimepiride on insulin secretion and post-prandial glucose excursions in patients with type 2 diabetes. A short term study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of Repaglinide vs Glimepiride on glucose- and meal-induced insulin secretion and on meal-test induced postprandial glucose excursions. METHODS: After 2 weeks washout period, a 3-Month randomised, cross-over parallel group trial of R (1 mg x 2/die) vs G (2 mg/die) in 14 patients with type 2 diabetes "naive" in diet treatment was made. RESULTS: Both R and G significantly but similarly lowered fasting glucose levels and improved fasting plasma insulin levels vs baseline. Hyperglycemic clamp showed that both 1st (129.15 +/- 23.6 vs 106.90 +/- 18.6 pmol/L; p=0.01) and 2nd phase (189.42 +/- 34.4 vs 144.21 +/- 37.3 pmol/L; p=0.003) B-cell response to glucose as well as area under the curve (52.07 +/- 10.86 vs 39.54 +/- 10.27 micromol/L x 120'; p=0.005) were greater in R than G groups. Insulin action (4.0 +/- 1.1 vs 3.2 +/- 0.9 mg x Kg x 60'/microU/mL; p=0.046) was also improved by R than G administration. In the meal test, R therapy produced a more rapId induction of insulin secretion during the first part. In fact, the mean rise in insulin secretion peaked at 45 min in R (p=0.001 vs G) and at 60 min in G (p=0.001 vs R). Consequently, glucose spike at 60 min was higher in G group compared to glucose spike at 45 min in R group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that R is more efficient that G on improving glucose- and meal- induced insulin secretion as well as on controlling for postprandial glucose excursion.

Silent myocardial ischemia during PET.

A resting perfusion defect detected during radioisotope myocardial perfusion imaging is generally thought to represent myocardial infarction. The administration of nitroglycerin during cardiac PET imaging results in improved resting defects, which suggests transiently abnormal resting perfusion with silent myocardial ischemia.

A comparative study of human tissue and post-heparin plasma triglyceride lipases.

Human post-heparin plasma contains at least two different triglyceride lipases (TGL). The plasma lipolytic activity has been attributed to extra-hepatic and hepatic origin. Both post-heparin triglyceride lipases were partially purified and characterized. With heparin-Sepharose 4 B affinity chromatography it was possible to partially purify human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as well as a lipase from human liver. The effects of NaCl, pre-heparin plasma, pH and temperature on these two tissue lipases and plasma lipases were studied in parallel. Antibodies were produced against plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase (plasma H-TGL) that did not cross react with LPL. TGL activity of human liver was completely inhibited by antibodies against plasma H-TGL. From these results it appears that human post-heparin plasma contains two triglyceride lipase activities which originate from liver and extra-hepatic tissues such as adipose tissue.

Holographic methods for painting diagnostics.

A holographic method for detecting detached regions between the priming layers and the underlying wood support in panel paintings is described. Experimental results obtained by the application of the method both on laboratory models and on an ancient Italian panel painting are presented. The great advantages that this technique can offer to the conservation and restoration of works of art are emphasized.