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J W Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to J W Eriksson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fat cell enlargement is an independent marker of insulin resistance and 'hyperleptinaemia'.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to explore whether fat cell size in human subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue is independently related to insulin action and adipokine levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fat cells were prepared from abdominal subcutaneous biopsies obtained from 49 type 2 diabetic and 83 non-diabetic subjects and from omental biopsies obtained from 37 non-diabetic subjects. Cell size and insulin action on glucose uptake capacity in vitro were assessed in isolated fat cells. Insulin sensitivity in vivo was assessed with euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamps. Fasting blood samples were collected and adipokines and NEFA were measured. RESULTS: Negative correlations were found between subcutaneous fat cell size and insulin sensitivity assessed as M-value during clamp and as insulin action on glucose uptake in fat cells in vitro. This was seen in non-diabetic subjects after including age, sex and BMI in the analyses. No such relationship was found in type 2 diabetic subjects. In both groups, subcutaneous fat cell size correlated positively and independently with plasma levels of leptin but not to any of the other assessed adipokines. In non-diabetic subjects, omental fat cell size was independently and negatively correlated with insulin action in subcutaneous, but not omental, fat cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Fat cell enlargement is associated with insulin resistance in non-diabetic individuals independently of BMI. This was not seen in type 2 diabetic subjects, suggesting that after development of type 2 diabetes other factors, not related to fat cell size, become more important for the modulation of insulin resistance.

Adipose Tissue↗

Lower levels of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D among young adults at diagnosis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes compared with control subjects: results from the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS).

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Low plasma vitamin D concentrations may promote the development of type 1 diabetes. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in young adults with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS) covers 15- to 34-year-old people with newly diagnosed diabetes. Blood samples at diagnosis were collected during the 2-year period 1987/1988. Patients with islet antibodies (islet cell antibodies, GAD antibodies or tyrosine phosphatase-like protein antibodies) were defined as having autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Plasma 25OHD was measured in samples taken from 459 patients at the time of diagnosis, and in 138 of these subjects 8 years later. The results were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (n=208). RESULTS: At diagnosis, plasma 25OHD levels were significantly lower in patients with type 1 diabetes than in control subjects (82.5+/-1.3 vs 96.7+/-2.0 nmol/l; p<0.0001). Eight years later, plasma 25OHD had decreased in patients (81.5+/-2.6 nmol/l; p=0.04). Plasma 25OHD levels were significantly lower in diabetic men than in diabetic women at diagnosis (77.9+/-1.4 vs 90.1+/-2.4 nmol/l; p<0.0001) and at follow-up (77.1+/-2.8 nmol/l vs 87.2+/-4.5 nmol/l; p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The plasma 25OHD level was lower at diagnosis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes than in control subjects, and may have a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Plasma 25OHD levels were lower in men than in women with type 1 diabetes. This difference may be relevant to the high incidence of type 1 diabetes among young adult men.

Adolescent↗

Work stress and low emotional support is associated with increased risk of future type 2 diabetes in women.

A case-referent study nested within a population-based health survey investigated the associations between psychosocial stress, such as work stress and low emotional support, and future development of type 2 diabetes among occupationally working middle-aged men and women. All participants in a health survey conducted during 1989-2000 (n=33,336) in Umeå in northern Sweden, were included. We identified 191 cases, who were not diabetic initially but were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after 5.4+/-2.6 years. Two age- and sex-matched referents were selected for each case. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and interaction effects between variables were evaluated. In women, passive or tense working situations were associated with future type 2 diabetes with odds ratios 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.1-11.7) and 3.6 (1.0-13.3), respectively, and also low emotional support 3.0 (1.3-7.0). These associations were not seen in men. In women, they remained after adjustment for BMI, civil status and educational level, and there were also tendencies for interactions between work stress and low emotional support. In conclusion, work stress and low emotional support may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in women, but not in men. These findings contribute to our understanding of psychosocial stress as potential risk factors for type 2 diabetes in a Swedish population.

Adult↗

HLA-DQB1 genotypes, islet antibodies and beta cell function in the classification of recent-onset diabetes among young adults in the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The World Health Organization considers an aetiological classification of diabetes to be essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether HLA-DQB1 genotypes facilitate the classification of diabetes as compared with assessment of islet antibodies by investigating young adult diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were available at diagnosis for 1,872 (90%) of the 2,077 young adult patients (aged 15-34 years old) over a 5-year period in the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden. Islet antibodies were measured at diagnosis in 1,869 patients, fasting plasma C-peptide (fpC-peptide) after diagnosis in 1,522, while HLA-DQB1 genotypes were determined in 1,743. RESULTS: Islet antibodies were found in 83% of patients clinically considered to have type 1 diabetes, 23% with type 2 diabetes and 45% with unclassifiable diabetes. After diagnosis, median fpC-peptide concentrations were markedly lower in patients with islet antibodies than in those without (0.24 vs 0.69 nmol/l, p<0.0001). Irrespective of clinical classification, patients with islet antibodies showed increased frequencies of at least one of the risk-associated HLA-DQB1 genotypes compared with patients without. Antibody-negative patients with risk-associated HLA-DQB1 genotypes had significantly lower median fpC-peptide concentrations than those without risk-associated genotypes (0.51 vs 0.74 nmol/l, p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Assessment of islet antibodies is necessary for the aetiological classification of diabetic patients. HLA-DQB1 genotyping does not improve the classification in patients with islet antibodies. However, in patients without islet antibodies, HLA-DQB1 genotyping together with C-peptide measurement may be of value in differentiating between idiopathic type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent↗

Excess mortality in incident cases of diabetes mellitus aged 15 to 34 years at diagnosis: a population-based study (DISS) in Sweden.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to analyse the mortality, survival and cause of death patterns in incident cases of diabetes in the 15-34-year age group that were reported to the nationwide prospective Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the study period 1983-1999, 6,771 incident cases were reported. Identification of deaths was made by linking the records to the nationwide Cause of Death Register. RESULTS: With an average follow-up of 8.5 years, resulting in 59,231 person-years, 159 deaths were identified. Diabetes was reported as the underlying cause of death in 51 patients (32%), and as a contributing cause of death in another 42 patients (26%). The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly elevated (RR=2.4; 95% CI: 2.0-2.8). The SMR was higher for patients classified by the reporting physician as having type 2 diabetes at diagnosis than for those classified as type 1 diabetic (2.9 and 1.8, respectively). Survival analysis showed significant differences in survival curves between males and females (p=0.0003) as well as between cases with different types of diabetes (p=0.005). This pattern was also reflected in the Cox regression model showing significantly increased hazard for males vs females (p=0.0002), and for type 2 vs type 1 (p=0.015) when controlling for age. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This study shows a two-fold excess mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes and a three-fold excess mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, despite advances in treatment, diabetes still carries an increased mortality in young adults, even in a country with a good economic and educational patient status and easy access to health care.

Adolescent↗

Insulin resistance, endocrine function and adipokines in type 2 diabetes patients at different glycaemic levels: potential impact for glucotoxicity in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interplay between hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, hormones and adipokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten patients with T2DM with good glycaemic control (G), 10 with poor control (P) and 10 nondiabetic control subjects (C) were matched for sex (M/F 6/4), age and body mass index. A hyperinsulinaemic, euglycaemic clamp was performed and cytokines and endocrine functions, including cortisol axis activity were assessed. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes were more insulin resistant than group C, and group P exhibited the highest degree of insulin resistance (P = 0.01, P vs C). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels were elevated in patients with diabetes (P = 0.05) and group P had the highest levels of fasting serum cortisol (P = 0.05), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA; P = 0.06) and C-reactive protein (CRP; P = 0.01). Adiponectin levels were lower in the P group. In partial correlation analyses, significant associations were found: glycaemic level (HbA1c) with insulin resistance, TNF-alpha, CRP and basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels, insulin resistance with plasma NEFA, TNF-alpha and stimulated cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: Poor glycaemic control in patients with T2DM was associated with insulin resistance and with elevated TNF-alpha, CRP and basal as well as stimulated cortisol levels. Inflammatory mediators, e.g. TNF-alpha, may contribute to insulin resistance in hyperglycaemic patients with T2DM and this might be a partial explanation for glucotoxicity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Lipoprotein lipase activity/mass ratio is higher in omental than in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is important for lipid deposition in adipose tissue (AT) and responds rapidly to changes in the nutritional state. Animal experiments indicate that short-term regulation of LPL is mainly post-translational. Different processing of LPL in different AT depots may play a role in the distribution of lipids in the body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipoprotein lipase mRNA, mass and activity were measured in pieces of omental adipose tissue (OAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from 15 subjects undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (four male and 11 female subjects, mean age 54 +/- 5 years, BMI 28 +/- 2 kg m(-2)). RESULTS: Lipoprotein lipase activity was higher in OAT than in SAT (18 +/- 2.1 compared with 12 +/- 1.6 mU g(-1), P < 0.01), whereas LPL mass was lower in OAT than in SAT (100 +/- 9 compared with 137 +/- 16 mU g(-1), P < 0.05). Consequently, the specific LPL activity (ratio of activity over mass) was approximately twofold greater in OAT compared with SAT. There was correlation between LPL mRNA and LPL activity in SAT (P < 0.05) and a similar tendency in OAT (P = 0.08). There were strong correlations (P < 0.01) for mRNA abundance as well as for LPL activity between the two depots. In contrast there was no correlation between the LPL mass and LPL mRNA or activity in any of the depots. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that long-term regulation, as reflected in the mRNA abundance, is similar in the two types of adipose tissue. The displayed activity reflects the mRNA abundance and the fraction of newly synthesized LPL molecules which the post-translational mechanism allows to become/remain active. This fraction was on average twofold greater in OAT compared with SAT.

Abdomen↗

A combination of HbA1c, fasting glucose and BMI is effective in screening for individuals at risk of future type 2 diabetes: OGTT is not needed.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a screening model that predicts high risk of future type 2 diabetes and is useful in clinical practice. DESIGN AND METHODS: Incident case-referent study nested within a population-based health survey. We compared screening models with three risk criteria and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values and attributable proportion. We used fasting plasma glucose (FPG) alone or with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycosylated haemoglobin A (HbA1c) (normal range 3.6-5.3%), body mass index (BMI), triglycerides and family history of diabetes (FHD). SETTING: Participants in a health survey at all primary care centres (n=33,336) and subjects with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in primary and hospital care (n=6088) in Umeå during 1989-2001. SUBJECTS: Each of the 164 subjects who developed clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes (median time to diagnosis of 5.4 years) and 304 sex- and age-matched referents without diabetes diagnosis. RESULTS: Screening models with at least one criterion present had sensitivities of 0.90-0.96, specificities of 0.43-0.57 and PPVs of 8-9%. Combinations of the criteria, FPG>or=6.1 mmol L-1 (capillary plasma), HbA1c>or=4.7% and BMI>or=27 in men and BMI>or=30 in women, had sensitivities, specificities and PPVs of 0.66%, 0.93% and 32%, and 0.52%, 0.97% and 46% respectively. Using FHD as one of three risk criteria showed comparable results. Addition of triglycerides or OGTT did not improve the prediction. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of HbA1c, FPG and BMI are effective in screening for individuals at risk of future clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. OGTT or FHD is not necessary.

Adult↗

The risk of venous thromboembolism is markedly elevated in patients with diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Diabetes mellitus is associated with several changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis that may lead to a thrombogenic propensity. However, it is not known whether these perturbations actually cause increased risk of venous thromboembolism. METHODS: In a retrospective population-based study we evaluated the medical records of all 302 adult patients who were admitted to the Umea University Hospital with verified deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism during the years 1997 to 1999. The patients were classified as diabetic (n=56) and non-diabetic (n=246) according to clinical information. The total number of diagnosed diabetic patients in different age groups in the catchment area was obtained from computerised registries in the primary health care centres and the Umea University Hospital, and data on the background population were collected from the Swedish population registry. RESULTS: The annual incidence rate of venous thromboembolism among diabetic patients in the population was 432 per 100,000 individuals (95% CI 375-496). In non-diabetic individuals it was 78 (95% CI 68-88). The age-adjusted incidence rate among the diabetic population was 274 (95% CI 262-286). The annual incidence rate of venous thromboembolism was elevated in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients and the incidence rates were 704 (95% CI 314-1,566) and 412 (95% CI 312-544) respectively. The overall standardised morbidity ratio was 2.27 (95% CI 1.75-2.95), i.e. diabetic patients were more prone to venous thromboembolism after adjustment for age differences. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that the age-adjusted risk for venous thromboembolism is more than two-fold higher among diabetic patients than in the non-diabetic background population.

Adult↗

Hyperproinsulinemia segregates young adult patients with newly diagnosed autoimmune (type 1) and non-autoimmune (type 2) diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether measurements of proinsulin and/or intermediate proinsulin degradation products could be used to differentiate between autoimmune (type 1) and non-autoimmune (type 2) diabetes in young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total proinsulin, intact proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations were measured in 25 patients aged 15-34 years with type 1 diabetes, as defined by the presence of at least two positive islet autoantibodies, and in 23 antibody-negative patients of similar age with type 2 diabetes, at the time of clinical onset of diabetes and at 3-4 months thereafter. Comparisons were made with data from 25 healthy subjects matched for gender and age. RESULTS: Plasma levels of total proinsulin, intact proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin were significantly increased 2-3-fold in the patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes as compared with the controls, both in absolute terms (p<0.0001) and when related to circulating insulin (p<0.01-0.0002). In contrast, absolute proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with onset of type 1 diabetes than in controls. When proinsulin and split proinsulin release were related to plasma insulin, however, similar ratios were found in the type 1 diabetes patients and in controls. Using the 90th percentile for total proinsulin in the control group as the cut-off, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiation between autoimmune and non-autoimmune diabetes were 87% and 92%, respectively. At 3-4 months after clinical onset of diabetes, proinsulin secretion was still 2-3 times higher in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Young adult patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes display disproportionate hyperproinsulinemia, whereas proinsulin secretion appears to be normal in patients with clinical onset of type 1 diabetes. Evaluation of proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations may be useful as a diagnostic tool in differentiating between autoimmune and non-autoimmune diabetes in young adults, particularly in those lacking islet autoantibodies at diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Regional differences of insulin action in adipose tissue: insights from in vivo and in vitro studies.

Adipose tissue is now recognized to have a multitude of functions that are of importance in the regulation of energy balance and substrate metabolism. Different hormones, in particular insulin and catecholamines, govern the storage and utilization of energy in the triglyceride depots. In addition, adipocytes produce several different substances with endocrine or paracrine functions, which regulate the overall energetic homeostasis. With excess energy storage, obesity develops, leading to increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The distribution of body fat appears to be even more important than the total amount of fat. Abdominal and, in particular, visceral adiposity is strongly linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The adverse metabolic impact of visceral fat has been attributed to distinct biological properties of adipocytes in this depot compared with other adipose tissue depots. Indeed, regional variations in the metabolic activity of fat cells have been observed. Furthermore, expression studies aiming at defining the unique biological properties of adipose tissues from distinct anatomical sites have identified depot-related differences in the protein content of fat-produced molecules. In this review we wish to summarize important results from the literature and also some recent data from our own work. The main scope is to describe the biological functions of adipose tissue, and to focus on metabolic, hormonal, and signalling differences between fat depots.

Adipocytes↗

Short-term effects of repetitive arm work and dynamic exercise on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

AIM: To determine whether repetitive arm work, with a large component of static muscle contraction alters glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. METHOD: Euglycemic clamps (2 h) were started in ten healthy individuals 15 min after 37 min periods of: (1) repetitive arm work in a simulated occupational setting; (2) dynamic concentric exercise on a cycle ergometer at 60% of VO(2max) and (3) a resting regime as a control. During the experimental periods, blood samples were collected, blood pressure was measured repeatedly and electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded continuously. During the clamps, euglycemia was maintained at 5 mmol l(-1) and insulin was infused at 56 mU m(-2) min(-1) for 120 min. RESULTS: The insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate (M-value) for the steady-state period (60-120 min) of the clamp, tended to be lower following arm work than for both cycling and resting regimes. When dividing the steady-state period into 20-min intervals, the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was significantly lower for arm work compared with the resting control situation between 60-80 min (P = 0.04) and 80-100 min (P = 0.01), respectively. Catecholamines increased significantly for arm work and cycling compared with resting regime. Data from heart rate variability (HRV) measurements indicated significant sympathetic activation during repetitive arm work. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that repetitive arm work might acutely promote insulin resistance, whereas no such effect on insulin resistance was produced by dynamic concentric exercise.

Adult↗

Tissue-specific regulation of lipoprotein lipase in humans: effects of fasting.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) measured in postheparin plasma from humans fasted for 30 h is increased relative to the fed state. This is in contrast to laboratory animals, where the strong down-regulation of LPL in their adipose tissue on fasting is reflected in decreased levels of LPL activity in postheparin plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To search for the tissue source of the increase in LPL activity on fasting of humans, young, healthy subjects were fasted for 10, 20 or 30 h, and LPL was measured in plasma (pre- and postheparin) and in biopsies from subcutaneous adipose tissue (abdominal) and from a skeletal muscle (tibialis anterior). Both LPL activity and LPL protein mass were measured in the tissue homogenates. Values after fasting were compared with values from postprandial samples obtained 2 h after a meal. RESULTS: Fasting for up to 30 h did not alter LPL activity in basal plasma (preheparin). LPL activity in postheparin plasma remained unchanged after 10 and 20 h of fasting, but was increased by 50% after 30 h (P < 0.05). Ten hours of fasting caused a 25% (P < 0.05) decrease in LPL activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue, while LPL activity in skeletal muscle remained unchanged. After 30 h of fasting, both LPL activity and mass had decreased by approximately 50% (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue, but had increased by approximately 100% (P < 0.05) in muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in postheparin plasma LPL activity after 30 h of total food deprivation of healthy human subjects seemed to reflect an increased activity and mass of LPL in skeletal muscle.

Adipose Tissue↗

Islet antibodies and remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis of diabetes in young adults: a prospective follow-up of the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis of diabetes in young adults and relate the findings to islet antibodies at diagnosis and 8 years later. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Nationwide from all Departments of Medicine and Endocrinology in Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 312 young (15-34 years old) adults diagnosed with diabetes during 1987-88. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Plasma connecting peptide (C-peptide) 8 years after diagnosis. Preserved beta-cell function was defined as measurable C-peptide levels. Three islet antibodies - cytoplasmic islet cell antibodies (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and tyrosine phosphatase antibodies - were measured. RESULTS: Amongst 269 islet antibody positives (ab+) at diagnosis, preserved beta-cell function was found in 16% (42/269) 8 years later and these patients had a higher body mass index (median 22.7 and 20.5 kg m-2, respectively; P = 0.0003), an increased frequency of one islet antibody (50 and 24%, respectively; P = 0.001), and a lower prevalence of ICA (55 and 6%, respectively; P = 0.007) at diagnosis compared with ab+ without remaining beta-cell function. Amongst the 241 patients without detectable beta-cell function at follow-up, 14 lacked islet antibodies, both at diagnosis and at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen per cent of patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes had remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis whereas 5.8% with beta-cell failure lacked islet autoimmunity, both at diagnosis and at follow-up.

Adolescent↗

No in vitro effects of fatty acids on glucose uptake, lipolysis or insulin signaling in rat adipocytes.

Elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) can produce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle tissue and liver and, together with alterations in beta-cell function, this has been referred to as lipotoxicity. This study explores the effects of FFAs on insulin action in rat adipocytes. Cells were incubated 4 or 24 h with or without an unsaturated FFA, oleate or a saturated FFA, palmitate (0.6 and 1.5 mM, respectively). After the culture period, cells were washed and insulin effects on glucose uptake and lipolysis as well as cellular content of insulin signaling proteins (IRS-1, PI3-kinase, PKB and phosphorylated PKB) and the insulin regulated glucose transporter GLUT4 were measured. No significant differences were found in basal or insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in FFA-treated cells compared to control cells, regardless of fatty acid concentration or incubation period. Moreover, there were no significant alterations in the expression of IRS-1, PI3-kinase, PKB and GLUT4 following FFA exposure. Insulin's ability to stimulate PKB phosphorylation was also left intact. Nor did we find any alterations following FFA exposure in basal or cAMP-stimulated lipolysis or in the ability of insulin to inhibit lipolysis. The results indicate that oleate or palmitate does not directly influence insulin action to stimulate glucose uptake and inhibit lipolysis in rat fat cells. Thus, lipotoxicity does not seem to occur in the fat tissue itself.

Adipocytes↗

Normal weight promotes remission and low number of islet antibodies prolong the duration of remission in Type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To identify clinical, immunological and biochemical factors that predict remission, and its duration in a large cohort of young adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: In Sweden, 362 patients (15-34 years), classified as Type 1 DM were included in a prospective, nation-wide population-based study. All patients were followed at local hospitals for examination of HbA(1c) and insulin dosage over a median period after diagnosis of 5 years. Duration of remission, defined as an insulin maintenance dose </= 0.3 U/kg/24 h and HbA(1c) within the normal range, was analysed in relation to characteristics at diagnosis. RESULTS: Remissions were seen in 43% of the patients with a median duration of 8 months (range 1-73). Sixteen per cent had a remission with a duration > 12 months. Among patients with antibodies (ab(+)), bivariate analysis suggested that adult age, absence of low BMI, high plasma C-peptide concentrations, lack of ketonuria or ketoacidosis at diagnosis and low insulin dose at discharge from hospital were associated with a high possibility of achieving remission. Multiple regression showed that normal weight (BMI of 20-24.9 kg/m(2)) was the only factor that remained significant for the possibility of entering remission. In survival analysis among ab(+) remitters, a low number of islet antibodies, one or two instead of three or four, were associated with a long duration of remissions. CONCLUSION: In islet antibody-positive Type 1 DM, normal body weight was the strongest factor for entering remission, whilst a low number of islet antibodies was of importance for the duration.

Adolescent↗

Sustained effects of pioglitazone vs. glibenclamide on insulin sensitivity, glycaemic control, and lipid profiles in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: This study compared the effects of 52 weeks' treatment with pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione that reduces insulin resistance, and glibenclamide, on insulin sensitivity, glycaemic control, and lipids in patients with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either pioglitazone (initially 30 mg QD, n = 91) or micronized glibenclamide (initially 1.75 mg QD, n = 109) as monotherapy. Doses were titrated (to 45 mg for pioglitazone and 10.5 mg for glibenclamide) to achieve glycaemic targets during the next 12 weeks: fasting blood glucose of < or = 7 mmol/l and 1-h postprandial blood glucose of < or = 10 mmol/l. Patients were maintained on the titrated dose for 40 weeks. RESULTS: Pioglitazone significantly increased insulin sensitivity compared with glibenclamide, as assessed by homeostasis model assessment (17.0% vs. -13.0%; P < 0.001), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (0.011 vs. -0.007; P < 0.001) and fasting serum insulin (-1.3 pmol/l vs. 23.8 pmol/l; P = 0.007). The glibenclamide group had significantly lower HbA1c than the pioglitazone group after 12 weeks of therapy (7.8% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.015), but significantly higher HbA1c after 52 weeks of therapy (7.8% vs. 7.2%, P = 0.001). Pioglitazone significantly (vs. glibenclamide) increased mean HDL-C (P < 0.001), decreased mean triglycerides (P = 0.019), and decreased mean atherogenic index of plasma (AIP; P = 0.001) and mean total cholesterol/HDL-C (P = 0.004), without significantly elevating mean total cholesterol or mean LDL-C compared with glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the effects of pioglitazone are more sustained than those of glibenclamide for improving insulin sensitivity in patients with Type 2 diabetes, and that 52 weeks' treatment with pioglitazone has favourable effects on glycaemic control and lipoprotein profile.

Blood Glucose↗

Glucocorticoids down-regulate glucose uptake capacity and insulin-signaling proteins in omental but not subcutaneous human adipocytes.

Visceral adiposity is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This study explores the metabolic differences between s.c. and visceral fat depots with respect to effects in vitro of glucocorticoids and insulin on glucose uptake. Adipocytes from human s.c. and omental fat depots were obtained during abdominal surgery in 18 nondiabetic subjects. Cells were isolated, and metabolic studies were performed directly after the biopsies and after a culture period of 24 h with or without dexamethasone. After washing, basal and insulin-stimulated [14C]glucose uptake as well as cellular content of insulin signaling proteins and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) was assessed. Omental adipocytes had an approximately 2-fold higher rate of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake compared with s.c. adipocytes (P < 0.01). Dexamethasone treatment markedly inhibited (by approximately 50%; P < 0.05) both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in omental adipocytes but had no consistent effect in s.c. adipocytes. The cellular content of insulin receptor substrate 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase did not differ significantly between the depots, but the expression of protein kinase B (PKB) tended to be increased in omental compared with s.c. adipocytes (P = 0.09). Dexamethasone treatment decreased the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (by approximately 40%; P < 0.05) and PKB (by approximately 20%; P < 0.05) in omental but not in s.c. adipocytes. In contrast, dexamethasone pretreatment had no effect on insulin-stimulated Ser473 phosphorylation of PKB. GLUT4 expression was approximately 4-fold higher in omental than s.c. adipocytes (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone treatment did not alter the expression of GLUT4. In conclusion, human omental adipocytes display approximately 2-fold higher glucose uptake rate compared with s.c. adipocytes, and this could be explained by a higher GLUT4 expression. A marked suppression is exerted by glucocorticoids on glucose uptake and on the expression of insulin signaling proteins in omental but not in s.c. adipocytes. These findings may be of relevance for the interaction between endogenous glucocorticoids and visceral fat in the development of insulin resistance.

Adipocytes↗