Biomedical subjects

Sung Kil Lim

Publications and source records attributed to Sung Kil Lim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The association of total and differential white blood cell count with metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: We investigated the relation between total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count and metabolic syndrome (MS) in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Eight-hundred and twenty-two patients (males 430, females 392, BMI 25.4+/-3.2 kg/m2, duration of diabetes 5.7+/-6.8 years) were enrolled in this study. We measured total WBC count and differential count, anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin and lipid profiles. RESULTS: The number of components of MS and prevalence of MS were increased from 1st quartile to 4th quartile of WBC count. Total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts were increased with the increase of number of components of MS except basophil count. Total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts were higher in the patients with MS features than those without MS features. WBC count was positively correlated with waist circumference (gamma=0.134), systolic blood pressure (gamma=0.082), diastolic blood pressure (gamma=0.083), triglyceride (gamma=0.241), insulin (gamma=0.222), and HOMA-IR (gamma=0.225), and negatively with HDL cholesterol (gamma=-0.146) (p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic inflammation, as indicated by a higher WBC count, may be related with the increased number of components of MS in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Clinical and biochemical characteristics of nonobese type 2 diabetic patients with glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody in Korea.

We evaluated the prevalence of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADA) in nonobese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea and investigated the characteristics of GADA-positive and GADA-negative patients. Two years later, we assessed the progression of beta-cell function in these patients. Of the 647 nonobese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the study, 10.1% was positive for GADA. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-positive patients had lower fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels compared with GADA-negative patients (1.70 +/- 0.72 vs 1.24 +/- 0.59 microg/L, P < .001; 2.59 +/- 1.51 vs 1.99 +/- 0.82 microg/L, P < .001). Patients treated with insulin had lower fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels than those not treated (1.13 +/- 0.52 vs 1.66 +/- 0.73 microg/L, P = .002; 1.85 +/- 0.69 vs 2.49 +/- 0.91 microg/L, P = .004) and had higher titers of GADA (30.5 +/- 7.3 vs 6.0 +/- 4.8 U/mL, P < .001). In terms of progression of beta-cell function, fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels were significantly lower in GADA-positive patients after 2 years (from 1.24 +/- 0.59 to 0.95 +/- 0.54 microg/L, P = .004; from 1.99 +/- 0.82 to 1.61 +/- 0.77 microg/L, P = .007), whereas no such difference was observed in the GADA-negative patients. We demonstrate that a significant proportion of Korean patients may be positive for GADA; this is consistent with studies of white subjects, although disagrees with previous reports on Korean subjects. By assessing the presence of GADA in Korean type 2 diabetic patients, we are able to predict their course of beta-cell function and identify in advance those who are likely to require insulin treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Relationship of low-density lipoprotein particle size to insulin resistance and intima-media thickness in nondiabetic Koreans.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size is associated with insulin resistance and to explore the association between LDL particle size and preclinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetic Korean population. We measured the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), LDL particle size, and insulin resistance in 136 nondiabetic subjects. Low-density lipoprotein particle size was significantly correlated with insulin resistance, but the independent risk factors of LDL particle size determined by the multiple regression analysis were age, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Carotid IMT was associated with traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, which are age, HDL-C, LDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but LDL particle size was not correlated with carotid IMT. We conclude that LDL particle size was associated with insulin resistance, but age, triglyceride, and HDL-C contributed independently to the variability in LDL particle size, and LDL particle size was not a predictor of preclinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetic Koreans.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Does birthweight predict adolescent adiponectin levels?

OBJECTIVE: Low birthweight is associated with insulin resistance later in life, and adiponectin is known to play an important role in insulin resistance. We have investigated whether birthweight has a relationship with adiponectin levels in adolescence. PATIENTS: An at-home questionnaire survey was completed by 660 middle-school students (aged 12-15 years) in Seoul, Korea, and 152 participants were selected randomly based on their birthweight. MEASUREMENTS Subjects were separated into three groups according to birthweight. We recorded the birthweight and measured anthropometric factors including blood pressure, lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function (HOMA-beta), and adiponectin levels of the subjects. These parameters were compared among the groups. The relationship between birthweight and physiological characteristics in adolescence was examined. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure, lipid profiles and fasting plasma glucose were not significantly different among the groups, but diastolic blood pressure was lower in the third tertile. Insulin, C-peptide and HOMA-IR were higher in the low birthweight tertile. After adjustment for confounding factors, birthweight was inversely related to diastolic blood pressure, insulin, C-peptide and HOMA-IR. Adiponectin level had a significant relationship with current body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.291; P< 0.001) but not with birthweight (r = 0.117; P = 0.166). CONCLUSIONSP: Although birthweight is closely related to insulin resistance during adolescence, adiponectin levels during adolescence had no significant relationship with birthweight. This result implies that low birthweight may not permanently affect adiponectin levels, but current body size is more closely associated with a decreased adiponectin level. However, the limited importance of birthweight as a determining factor on the adiponectin level later in life needs to be further evaluated.

Adiponectin↗

PubMed2006

Effects of growth hormone on insulin resistance and atherosclerotic risk factors in obese type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the combined effects of GH treatment and diet restriction on lipolysis and anabolism, insulin resistance and atherosclerotic risk factors in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SUBJECTS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 24 obese T2DM patients (male : female = 12 : 12, mean age 53.7 +/- 7.2 years) with poor glycaemic control (fasting plasma glucose 10.673 +/- 1.121 mmol/l, HbA(1C) 9.9 +/- 2.3%). Sixteen of these patients were treated with recombinant human GH (1-1.5 units/day, 5 days/week) while undergoing diet restriction and exercise for 12 weeks. METHODS: Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements were undertaken to determine the lean body mass and total body fat. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to estimate visceral and subcutaneous fat distribution at the umbilicus level and the muscle area of the midthigh. Insulin resistance was measured by the insulin tolerance test (ITT) and by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: The ratios VSR (visceral fat area/subcutaneous fat area) and VMR (visceral fat area/thigh muscle area) were significantly decreased in the GH-treated group compared to the control group. An increase in lean body mass was observed in the GH-treated group. Levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid (FFA), fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were significantly decreased after GH treatment. Fasting glucose levels decreased similarly (P < 0.05 anova) in both groups during the treatment period. Fasting C-peptide levels significantly increased, whereas insulin levels significantly decreased, in the GH-treated group, but no changes were observed in the control group. The insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was significantly increased in the GH-treated group (1.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.0%/min, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GH treatment in obese T2DM patients with poor glycaemic control is beneficial in decreasing the amount of visceral fats, and may therefore result in improvements in insulin resistance, atherosclerotic risk factors and dyslipidaemia.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

The long-term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid concentrations and body weight.

OBJECTIVE: Although rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, is known to have beneficial effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, it has unwanted effects on total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and body weight in some short-term studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid levels and body weight. DESIGN: Open labelled clinical study. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We prospectively evaluated fasting serum glucose, haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)), lipid profiles and body weight at baseline and every 3 months after the use of rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) for 18 months in 202 type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS: TC levels increased maximally at 3 months and decreased thereafter. However, overall, TC levels remained significantly higher at 18 months than those at baseline. LDL-C levels from the 3-month to the 12-month timepoint were significantly higher than those at baseline. However, after 15 months, LDL-C concentrations were not significantly different from basal LDL-C concentrations. HDL-C levels increased after the first 3 months and these levels were maintained. The increment of change in HDL-C was more prominent in patients with low basal HDL-C concentrations than in patients with high basal HDL-C concentrations. Body weight increased after the first 3 months and these levels were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: HDL-C and body weight increased and remained elevated for the duration of the study. There was an initial increase in LDL-C but this attenuated and by the end of the study was not significantly elevated above baseline levels.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Decrement of postprandial insulin secretion determines the progressive nature of type-2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Type-2 diabetes is a progressive disease. However, little is known about whether decreased fasting or postprandial pancreatic beta-cell responsiveness is more prominent with increased duration of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between insulin secretion both during fasting and 2 h postprandial, and the duration of diabetes in type-2 diabetic patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical investigation. METHODS: We conducted a meal tolerance test in 1466 type-2 diabetic patients and calculated fasting (M0) and postprandial (M1) beta-cell responsiveness. RESULTS: The fasting C-peptide, postprandial C-peptide, M0, and M1 values were lower, but HbA1c values were higher, in patients with diabetes duration > 10 years than those in other groups. There was no difference in the HbA1c levels according to the tertiles of their fasting C-peptide level. However, in a group of patients with highest postprandial C-peptide tertile, the HbA1c values were significantly lower than those in other groups. After adjustment of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), the duration of diabetes was found to be negatively correlated with fasting C-peptide (gamma = -0.102), postprandial C-peptide (gamma = -0.356), M0 (gamma = -0.263), and M1 (gamma = -0.315; P < 0.01 respectively). After adjustment of age, sex, and BMI, HbA1c was found to be negatively correlated with postprandial C-peptide (gamma = -0.264), M(0) (gamma = -0.379), and M1 (gamma = -0.522), however, positively correlated with fasting C-peptide (gamma = 0.105; P < 0.01 respectively). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, M0, M1, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) emerged as predictors of HbAlc after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (R2 = 0.272, 0.080, and 0.056 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: With increasing duration of diabetes, the decrease of postprandial insulin secretion is becoming more prominent, and postprandial beta-cell responsiveness may be a more important determinant for glycemic control than fasting beta-cell responsiveness.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Normative values of carotid artery intima-media thickness in healthy Korean adults and estimation of macrovascular diseases relative risk using this data in type 2 diabetes patients.

The objectives of this study were to determine normative values of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy Korean subjects and to use these values to estimate the relative risk of macrovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed in 1,229 healthy subjects and 830 T2DM patients. Height, weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting insulin level were measured. Subjects were classified as healthy subjects; T2DM patients without ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and peripheral arterial occlusive diseases (PAOD); T2DM patients with IHD, stroke, or PAOD. IMT was significantly increased as age increased. Patients with T2DM had higher IMTs compared to healthy subjects. Independent risk factors of IMT were age, systolic blood pressure, BMI for healthy subjects, and age, duration of diabetes, LDL-cholesterol for T2DM subjects. According to presence of increased IMT, the relative risks of IHD, stroke, and PAOD in diabetic subjects, were 2.34 (CI; 1.32-4.14), 2.95 (CI; 1.46-5.54), and 3.64 (CI; 1.66-7.40), respectively. This study suggests normative values that can be used as an index for carotid artery IMT of healthy Korean subjects, and that IMT data reflects the risk of macrovascular diseases in T2DM.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Duodenal somatostatinoma associated with diabetic ketoacidosis presumably caused by somatostatin-28 hypersecretion.

CONTEXT: Extrapancreatic somatostatinoma is very rare and clinically distinguished from its pancreatic counterpart because somatostatinoma syndrome with mild diabetes is rare in extrapancreatic somatostatinoma because of poor secretion of somatostatin. Moreover, because somatostatin inhibits the secretion of insulin and glucagon simultaneously, true diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) seldom ensues. PATIENT: A 23-yr-old woman presented with DKA and an abdominal mass. A computed tomography scan showed a huge, encapsulated mass in a duodenal submucous portion. A high circulating level of somatostatin was detected (67.2 pmol/liter; reference range, 0.6-7.3 pmol/liter). INTERVENTION: The tumor mass was successfully removed with Whipple's procedure, and the patient gradually recovered both clinically and biochemically. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of the tumor tissue exhibited diffusely positive for somatostatin and somatostatin-28 but negative for insulin, glucagon, calcitonin, serotonin, and S-100. CONCLUSION: As far as we know, this is the first case report of gastrointestinal somatostatinoma associated with DKA.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Relationship of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein to metabolic syndrome and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

The high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is known to be a sensitive predictor of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the association between the serum hsCRP and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Two hundred and sixty-nine patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. All the subjects underwent measurement of MS and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The serum hsCRP concentrations and the 24 h urine albumin excretion amounts were measured. Ophthalmoscope examinations and nerve conduction velocity tests were performed to evaluate microvascular complications. The hsCRP was significantly higher in the patients with MS than in those without (p=0.019). The serum hsCRP was significantly correlated with all the components of MS. There were no differences between the serum hsCRP levels of those with and without retinopathy and neuropathy. The serum hsCRP was correlated with the 24 h urine albumin excretion amount. Serum hsCRP level has a significant correlation with MS and might be used as the future criteria of MS. Among microvascular complications, only diabetic nephropathy is associated with the serum hsCRP level. It suggests that the inflammatory process plays a role in nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2005

Effects of Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 gene on rosiglitazone response in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma2 gene on the response to rosiglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 198 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were treated with rosiglitazone (4 mg/d) for 12 weeks without a change in previous medications. All patients were genotyped for the PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism. RESULTS: The Ala12 allele frequency was 0.04. Of the 198 patients, 183 had the Pro12Pro genotype and 15 had the Pro12Ala genotype. The Ala12Ala genotype was not observed. The decrease in fasting plasma glucose level was significantly greater in subjects with the Ala12 allele than in those without the allele (50.6 +/- 27.8 mg/dL versus 24.3 +/- 41.9 mg/dL, P = .026). In addition, the decrease in hemoglobin A(1c) level was significantly greater in subjects with the Ala12 allele than in those without the allele (1.41% +/- 1.47% versus 0.57% +/- 1.16%, P = .015). There was a significant difference in the response rate to rosiglitazone treatment between the Pro12Pro group and the Pro12Ala variant group (43.72% versus 86.67%, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Patients with the Pro12Ala genotype in the PPARgamma2 gene had a better therapeutic response to rosiglitazone than did patients with the Pro12Pro genotype. The genetic variations in the PPARgamma2 gene can affect the response to rosiglitazone treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Limitation of the validity of the homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance in Korea.

Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is a less invasive, inexpensive, and less labor-intensive method to measure insulin resistance (IR) as compared with the glucose clamp test. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of HOMA-IR by comparing it with the euglycemic clamp test in determining IR. We assessed the validity of HOMA-IR by comparing it with the total glucose disposal rate measured by the 3-hour euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in subjects with type 2 diabetes (n = 47), impaired glucose tolerance (n = 21), and normal glucose tolerance (n = 22). There was a strong inverse correlation (r = -0.558; P < .001) between the log-transformed HOMA-IR and the total glucose disposal rate. There was moderate agreement between the 2 methods in the categorization according to the IR (weighted kappa = 0.294). The magnitude of the correlation coefficients was smaller in the subjects with a lower body mass index (BMI <25.0 kg/m2 , r = -0.441 vs BMI > or =25.0 kg/m2 , r = -0.615; P = .032), a lower HOMA-beta cell function (HOMA- beta <60.0, r = -0.527 vs HOMA- beta > or =60.0, r = -0.686; P = .016), and higher fasting glucose levels (fasting glucose < or =5.66 mmol/L, r = -0.556 vs fasting glucose >5.66 mmol/L, r = -0.520; P = .039). The limitation of the validity of the HOMA-IR should be carefully considered in subjects with a lower BMI, a lower beta cell function, and high fasting glucose levels such as lean type 2 diabetes mellitus with insulin secretory defects.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Clinical features of bone metastases resulting from thyroid cancer: a review of 28 patients over a 20-year period.

Bone is the second most frequent site of metastasis resulting from thyroid cancer. Many studies have investigated clinical features and prognostic factors of distant metastases stemming from thyroid cancer in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics of Korean patients with bone metastasis originating from thyroid cancer. Between January 1985 and August 2004, 28 patients with thyroid cancer were diagnosed with bone metastases at the Yonsei Severance Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Their clinical characteristics were analyzed retrospectively. Incidence of bone metastasis from follicular thyroid cancer was 6.8% (9 of 132 patients), and 0.4% (13 of 3,154 patients) from papillary thyroid cancer, with an odds ratio of 17.67 (95% confidence interval; 7.41-42). Twelve patients had no symptoms of bone metastasis. Overall mean number of metastasis sites was 2.6 +/- 1.9, and 12 patients had a solitary bone metastasis. Survival rates between the synchronous and metachronous metastasis groups were not significantly different, and the number of metastasis sites did not affect survival. However, the survival of patients that underwent curative treatment was longer than those with palliation (P = 0.0317). In Korea, the overall incidence of bone metastasis resulting from thyroid cancer was less than our expectation. Many patients were asymptomatic, and had a tendency of undergoing less aggressive or palliative treatment, even though the long-term survival of distant metastasis resulting from thyroid cancer with active treatment is relatively good. Further studies of the prognostic factors and effectiveness of various treatments of these patients are needed to enhance survival.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

PubMed2005

The influence of adiponectin gene polymorphism on the rosiglitazone response in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of rosiglitazone on adiponectin and plasma glucose levels in relation with common adiponectin gene (ACDC) polymorphisms. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 166 patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) for 12 weeks without changing any of their previous medications. In all, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)45 and SNP276 of ACDC were examined. RESULTS: Regarding SNP45, there was a smaller reduction in the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level and the HbA(1c) value in the carriers of the GG genotype than in the carriers of the other genotypes (P = 0.031 and 0.013, respectively). There was a smaller increase in the serum adiponectin concentration for the GG genotype than for the other genotypes (P = 0.003). Regarding SNP276, there was less reduction in the FPG level for the GG genotype than for the other genotypes (P = 0.001). In the haplotype analysis, the reductions in the FPG and HbA(1c) levels were smaller for the GG homozygote haplotype than for the other haplotypes (P = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). The increase in the plasma adiponectin concentration for the GG homozygote haplotype was smaller than that of the other haplotypes (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that genetic variations in the adiponectin gene can affect the rosiglitazone treatment response of the circulating adiponectin level and blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients.

Adiponectin↗

PubMed2005

Hypercalcemia in hepatic tuberculosis: a case report in Korea.

Although primary hyperparathyroidism and malignant diseases account for approximately 90% of the causes of hypercalcemia, they could occur in association with granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis, especially in developing countries. Hepatic tuberculosis is difficult to diagnosis without suspicion in cases with normal findings on chest radiographs. We report a 70-year-old woman who presented with hypercalcemia due to hepatic tuberculosis. The diagnosis was made by a computed tomography scan and laparoscopic evaluation. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication, her hypercalcemia resolved. Increased vitamin D synthesis by activated macrophages in the granuloma tissue is the major mechanism of hypercalcemia in tuberculosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Structure and function of a minimal receptor activation domain of parathyroid hormone.

The structure and function of short-length amino terminal PTH analogues were studied. The substitution of Leu(7) with Phe in [Ala(3,10)Leu(7)Arg(11)]rPTH(1-11)NH(2) analogue peptides did not show any reduction in cAMP formation. Replacement of the 1st, 7th and 8th residues revealed different activities, depending upon the residue type. The substitution of Ala1 by Ser in [Ala(3,10)Leu(7)Arg(11)]rPTH(1-11)NH(2) caused nearly a complete loss of cAMP formation. Meanwhile, NMR analysis of [(Ala(1)/ Ser(1))Ala(3,10)(Leu(7)/Phe(7))Arg(11)]rPTH(1-11)NH(2) revealed an alpha-helical backbone structure with a flexible conformation at the carboxyl-terminus. The overall results suggest that 11-residue short oligopeptide analogues of PTH tend to form an alpha-helical structure and the different activities of those analogues could be associated with residue specificity rather than the secondary conformational structure.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2004

The correlation between insulin resistance and the visceral fat to skeletal muscle ratio in middle-aged women.

Central obesity with visceral fat accumulation and the amount of skeletal muscle mass may influence insulin sensitivity via its capacity for glucose load uptake. We investigated the relationships among the following metabolic variables: ratio of fat area to skeletal muscle area (VMR), percent ideal body weight, body mass index, waist-to-hip circumference (WHR) and visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) in 114 nondiabetic middle-aged women. Anthropometric parameters, lipid profiles and sex hormone- binding globulin were measured. Visceral and subcutaneous fat areas at the umbilical level and the skeletal muscle area at the mid-thigh level were measured and computed. 75-gram OGTT tests were performed, along with measuring plasma glucose, insulin and free fatty acid levels, according to which area under the curve of glucose (Glu-AUC), insulin (Ins-AUC), free fatty acid (FFA-AUC) and glucose/insulin ratio (GIR=Glu- AUC/Ins-AUC), were calculated. 1) Triglyceride was more correlated with VSR than VMR. 2) The independent anthropometric parameters for each metabolic variable were In conclusion, VMR for Ins-AUC, WHR for Glu-AUC and total cholesterol, and VSR for triglyceride. 3) For subjects with higher VMR, age, Ins-AUC and triglyceride were significantly higher. 4) Subjects with higher VMR were older and showed higher Ins-AUC and lower GIR than the subjects with lower VMR. In conclusion, VMR is an anthropometric parameter that reflects insulin resistance concerning glucose metabolism, and VSR is thought to be a good parameter that that reflects the serum lipid levels. Further prospective studies are necessary to reevaluate the visceral fat vs. skeletal muscle relationship.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Effect of pamidronate on new vertebral fractures and bone mineral density in patients with malignant lymphoma receiving chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: High doses of corticosteroids, and the use of alkylating agents like cyclophosphamide with subsequent hypogonadism, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis. In this study, we evaluated whether intravenous pamidronate can prevent bone loss and reduce vertebral fractures in patients with malignant lymphoma who were receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: We enrolled 50 patients who had newly diagnosed stage III or IV malignant lymphoma. All patients were assigned randomly to receive either intravenous pamidronate or placebo. Pamidronate (30 mg per treatment) or placebo was given at 3-month intervals for 12 months. Five patients in the control group dropped out during the trial. The main outcomes were the incidence of vertebral fractures and changes in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur. RESULTS: During the 12-month study, 6 (30%) of the 20 patients in the control group and 1 (4%) of the 25 patients in the pamidronate group developed new vertebral fractures (P = 0.01). In the control group, the mean percentage changes in bone mineral density were -11.2% in the lumbar spine and -4.5% in the femoral neck. In contrast, pamidronate treatment led to minor losses of bone mineral density at both sites (-2.7% at the lumbar spine; -2.3% at the femoral neck). The difference between the groups was significant at the lumbar spine (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Pamidronate reduces trabecular bone loss and the risk of new vertebral fractures in patients with malignant lymphoma receiving chemotherapy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗