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V Anyaoku

Publications and source records attributed to V Anyaoku.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Relative fasting hypoinsulinaemia and ultrasonically measured early arterial disease in type 2 diabetes. The SENDCAP Study Group, St. Mary's, Ealing, Northwick Park Diabetes Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Study.

Macrovasular disease is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Dyslipidaemia and hyperinsulinaemia have been proposed as aetiological factors. This paper describes the interrelationships between fasting serum insulin, serum lipids, and the extent of ultrasonically measured early arterial disease in Type 2 diabetic subjects screened for entry into a prospective study set up to ascertain whether improving serum lipids can alter the progress of arterial disease in Type 2 diabetes. Measurements were made of the initima media thickness (IMT) in the carotid artery, and an arterial ultrasound score (AUS) based on appearances of both carotid and femoral arteries was calculated for 192 established Type 2 diabetic subjects, males and females, mean age 51 (range 35-66) years, median duration of diabetes 3.5 years, with no known cardiovascular disease. Multiple regression analysis showed that carotid IMT increased with age and was inversely related to serum insulin (variance accounted for, R2, = 8.8%, p = 0.0002). AUS increased with age and was related inversely to serum insulin, or to C-peptide when this was substituted in the model. In addition to age and serum insulin, AUS was positively associated with non-HDL cholesterol and negatively with HDL 3 cholesterol (R2 = 26%, p = 0.0001). Early thickening and damage to the arterial wall in Type 2 diabetes may be related to relative fasting hypoinsulinaemia.

Adult

Overnight metabolic fuel deficiency in patients treated conventionally for hypopituitarism.

BACKGROUND: Hormone replacement in hypopituitary adults attempts to reproduce normal physiology. Conventional regimens fail to mimic normal hormone profiles over 24 hours. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the metabolic consequences of conventional hormone replacement in hypopituitary adults by measuring circulating levels of the major fuels, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glycerol and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) over 24 hours in hypopituitary subjects and controls. SUBJECTS: Ten GH and adrenocorticotrophin deficient hypopituitary adults on conventional replacement and 13 controls matched for age, sex and body mass index were studied. The patients received replacement with hydrocortisone twice daily (at 0730 and 1730 h; mean (range) daily dose 22 (10-30) mg/24 h) but not with GH. Other hormones were replaced as clinically necessary. MEASUREMENTS: Circulating glucose, NEFA, glycerol and 3-OHB levels were measured over 24 hours together with concentrations of cortisol (total and free), GH and insulin, and urinary free cortisol. RESULTS: Levels of glucose, NEFA and 3-OHB were lower in patients than controls (mean +/- SEM) (4.3 +/- 0.1 vs 5.3 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P = 0.0001; 291 +/- 46 vs 448 +/- 48 mumol/l, P = 0.015; 78 +/- 8 vs 136 +/- 24 mumol/l, P = 0.035, respectively) before breakfast. This decrease in glucose, NEFA and 3-OHB was observed in the patient group throughout the night, from midnight to breakfast. For NEFA, the decrease persisted throughout the 24 hours. Glycerol did not differ significantly in patients and controls. Integrated levels of total and free plasma cortisol, and 24-hour urine cortisol excretion, were normal in patients but total and free plasma cortisol concentrations overnight were markedly decreased (overnight area under the curve (AUC) of total cortisol: 440 +/- 154 vs 1593 +/- 267 nmol/l h, P = 0.0024; overnight AUC of free cortisol: 24 +/- 8 vs 161 +/- 26 nmol/l h, P = 0.0001). GH levels were low throughout the whole 24 hours in the patient group (24-hour AUC: 10.6 +/- 5.1 vs 74.6 +/- 19.6 mU/l h, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Hypopituitary adults on conventional hormone replacement regimens have low concentrations of metabolic fuels, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and 3-hydroxybutyrate throughout the night, possibly related to GH deficiency or to decreased overnight circulating cortisol levels. This overnight fuel deficiency may underlie the mechanism for the non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue and headache in the early morning, which are frequent in this group of patients.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid

Diurnal variation of sex hormone binding globulin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine (1) the diurnal variation in SHBG and (2) the inter-relationships of insulin, IGF-I, SHBG and IGFBP-1 over 24 hours in 10 women with anovulatory PCOS and compare them with weight-matched ovulatory controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The two groups comprised 10 anovulatory women with PCOS (as defined by clinical, ultrasound and biochemical criteria) and 10 weight matched controls. Serum samples were taken at two-hourly intervals for 24 hours and stored for measurement of SHBG, IGFBP-1, insulin and IGF-I. Differences between the groups were compared using the Wilcoxon ranked paired tests of the individual peak and trough concentrations in each group. The variation in insulin, IGFBP-1 and SHBG concentrations over 24 hours was tested using two-way analysis of variance with the factors time and subject. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated from the subjects' median value over 24 hours. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) body mass index (BMI) was 25.2 (22.2-29.3) in the PCOS group and 24.3 (23.2-25.7) kg/m2 in the control group. Serum testosterone (T) and LH levels were significantly raised in the PCOS group compared to the control group; T 3.8 (2.9-5.6) vs 1.9 (1.9-2.5) nmol/l (P < 0.007) and LH 12 (10-15) vs 4.1 (3.6-4.5) IU/I (P < 0.005) respectively. There was no diurnal variation in SHBG. The median (interquartile ranges) of the peak SHBG concentrations was lower in the PCOS group: 29.4 (14.9-39.4) vs 52.1 (39.4-61) nmol/l in the control group (P < 0.01). The fasting levels of insulin at 0600 h (median (interquartile ranges)) were not significantly different between the groups; 6.6 (5.4-9.8) and 6.2 (1.9-7.6) mU/l, respectively, although the peak median concentrations were significantly different; PCOS 66.1 (50.9-129.2) vs 40 (36.1-74.2) mU/l (P < 0.05). Two-way analysis of variance showed a diurnal variation in insulin concentrations in the control group (P = 0.001) but not in the PCOS group (P = 0.1). The diurnal variation in IGFBP-1 was similar in the two groups but the peak median levels were lower in the women with PCOS 54.9 (22.3-79.2) vs 71.5 (60.5-99.3) micrograms/l (P < 0.03). The decline in IGFBP-1 concentrations correlated with the increase in insulin concentrations. The IGF-I concentrations were similar in the two groups. There was a significant negative correlation between SHBG and insulin (P < 0.05) and between insulin and IGFBP-1 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that there is no diurnal variation in SHBG concentrations and confirms the finding of a marked diurnal variation in the concentration of IGFBP-1. Women with PCOS who are anovulatory have an abnormal pattern of insulin secretion with an absence of diurnal variation compared to weight matched controls. This provides further evidence of the relative insulin resistance which is independent of weight found in women with anovulatory PCOS. The inverse correlations of insulin concentrations with SHBG and IGFBP-1 support the role of insulin as a possible regulator of the circulating levels of these binding proteins although the difference in the time course of their response makes it unlikely that they are co-regulated.

Circadian Rhythm

Replacement treatment with biosynthetic human growth hormone in growth hormone-deficient hypopituitary adults.

OBJECTIVES: The physiological role of growth hormone in adult life has recently attracted increased interest. We have studied the clinical effects and the effects on body composition of prolonged replacement with biosynthetic human GH in a large number of hypopituitary adults. DESIGN: A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial for 6 months followed by an open trial of GH treatment for 12 months. GH daily dose was 0.04 (0.02-0.05) IU/kg s.c. PATIENTS: Forty GH deficient hypopituitary patients (19 M, 21 F; aged 19-67 years) on conventional replacement therapy were studied. MEASUREMENTS: Serum insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I), skinfold thickness, total body potassium, total body water (TBW), exercise tolerance and muscle strength, and well-being. RESULTS: During the 6-month double blind phase, two GH treated patients withdrew because of adverse events. Lean body mass (LBM) increased and percentage body fat (%BF) decreased on GH but not on placebo (P) (LBM: (GH: from 48.5 +/- 9.6 to 49.6 +/- 9.5 kg; P: from 50.9 +/- 9.2 to 50.1 +/- 9.0 kg, P < 0.05 GH vs P) and %BF (GH: from 34.7 +/- 11.4 to 34.2 +/- 10.7; P: from 37.4 +/- 7.6 to 38.7 +/- 8.1, P < 0.05 GH vs P)). TBW increased on GH (P < 0.01) but not on P. No change was observed in waist-to-hip ratio or in muscle strength. During longer-term follow-up combining the double blind and open phase components of the study, 34, 27 and 11 patients received GH for 6, 12 and 18 months respectively. Patients dropped out because of adverse events or lack of perceived benefit. Skinfold thicknesses decreased significantly at 6 and 12 months and the waist circumference at 6 months. Waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly on GH at 12 months. LBM increased on GH treatment from 49.6 +/- 9.1 to 51.6 +/- 9.4 kg (P < 0.0006), 51.9 +/- 8.9 kg (P < 0.07) and 53.1 +/- 10.5 kg (P < 0.0001) at 6, 12 and 18 months respectively. Percentage body fat decreased on GH from 37.2 +/- 10.7 to 34.7 +/- 10.1 (P < 0.005), 35.1 +/- 12.8 (NS) and 34.5 +/- 8.6 (P < 0.04) at 6,12 and 18 months respectively. TBW also increased at 6 and 12 months of GH treatment. Exercise time increased significantly at 6, 12 and 18 months of GH treatment. Muscle strength in selected muscle groups increased significantly at 6, 12 or 18 months of GH treatment. Randomization resulted in the placebo group having a greater GHQ score (higher morbidity) than the GH group before therapy. Over the controlled phase, GHQ scores improved on placebo but not on GH and CPRS score was unchanged in either group. In the open phase, the GHQ score did not change on GH therapy but CPRS score improved at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Growth hormone replacement therapy in adults for 6 months increased lean body mass, total body water and exercise tolerance, and decreased body fat. Growth hormone replacement for longer than 6 months maintains the advantageous effects seen in shorter-term studies and may have additional effects on body fat distribution, muscle strength and psychological well-being.

Adult

Insulin resistance with respect to lipolysis in non-diabetic relatives of European patients with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by resistance to insulin action of glucose metabolism and lipolysis. First-degree relatives of diabetic patients are at increased risk of developing diabetes themselves and early metabolic abnormalities in these relatives may represent primary defects in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Our previous work has demonstrated impaired suppression of lipolysis after an oral glucose load in glucose-tolerant relatives of Asian origin, but not in European relatives. To investigate whether a more subtle defect exists in the European population we studied 8 first-degree relatives of European patients and 9 matched control subjects. All had normal glucose tolerance. Glycerol and glucose turnovers were measured using a primed constant infusion of the stable isotopic tracers [1,1,1,2,3(2)H5] glycerol and [6,6(2)H] glucose, basally and in response to a very low dose insulin infusion (0.005 units kg-1 h-1). The relatives had higher basal insulin concentrations (median (range): 49 (30 to 113) vs 28 (18 to 66) pmol 1(-1), p < 0.05) compared to controls, but basal glycerol and glucose turnovers and plasma concentrations of glycerol, glucose, and non-esterifed fatty acids (NEFA) were similar. Following insulin, the suppression of glycerol appearance in the circulation measured isotopically was significantly less complete in the relatives compared with controls (mean change +/- SEM: + 0.06 +/- 0.21 vs - 0.51 +/- 0.16 mumol kg-1 min-1, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

The effects of short and long-term growth hormone replacement therapy in hypopituitary adults on lipid metabolism and carbohydrate tolerance.

The effects of replacement with biosynthetic human GH on carbohydrate tolerance and lipid metabolism were studied in 40 hypopituitary adults during a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trial for 6 months, followed by a 12-month open trial. The daily GH dose was 0.04 +/- 0.01 IU/kg. Fasting plasma glucose, serum fructosamine, plasmid lipids, lipoproteins, and plasma C-peptide concentrations were measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed every 6 months. There was no change in fasting triglyceride levels at any stage of the study. There was no significant change in fasting total or LDL cholesterol, total HDL cholesterol, high density lipoprotein2 (HDL2) cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, apoprotein-A1, or apoprotein-B during GH or placebo treatment in the placebo-controlled 6-months study. In the open phase of the trial, total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a sustained downward trend during GH therapy. Compared to the pretreatment level, the HDL cholesterol concentration was significantly higher at 18 months. Cholesterol subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 and apoprotein-A1 and -B were not different from the pretreatment levels. The total/HDL cholesterol ratio decreased significantly at 12 and 18 months. During the controlled phase, fasting plasma glucose was similar during GH and placebo administration, but fasting insulin and C-peptide increased during GH therapy, but not during placebo treatment. The mean area under the curve (AUC) for glucose increased by a small, but significant, extent over the 6 months of GH treatment and was higher at 6 months than during placebo treatment. The AUC for insulin also increased during GH treatment. During the open trial, the fasting plasma glucose level increased at 6 and 12 months, and the fasting plasma insulin level increased at 6, 12, and 18 months of GH treatment. The plasma glucose AUC during the oral glucose tolerance test was significantly higher at 6 months, and the plasma insulin AUC was significantly higher at 6, 12, and 18 months of GH therapy. In conclusion, GH therapy has some metabolic effects that are considered beneficial and others that are less desirable.

Adult

Reduced postprandial energy expenditure in women predisposed to type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes is so common that it has been hypothesized that in the course of evolution the predisposition to it may have conferred some advantage, before or during the reproductive years. It is frequently preceded by gestational diabetes. In order to test the basis for the hypothetical advantage, energy expenditure was investigated in 10 women with documented transient diabetes in a previous pregnancy. They were studied early in a subsequent pregnancy while glucose tolerance wa still normal and 9 were re-studied after pregnancy. Their results were compared with normal matched controls. During pregnancy, resting energy expenditure was similar in the study group and controls (6.58 (5.77-7.55) median (range) vs 6.91 (6.56-7.36) MJ day-1, respectively). However, the energy response to a mixed meal (42 kJ, kg-1 lean body mass) was decreased in the study group (45 (33-68) vs 76 (50-89) kJ, p < 0.05). After pregnancy resting energy expenditure was again similar in the two groups, but the decrease in postprandial thermogenesis persisted (78 (59-84) vs 92 (79-105) kJ, p < 0.05). The patients were resistant to exogenous insulin, 0.05 U kg-1 intravenously (slope of the plasma glucose decline in the 15 min after insulin; during pregnancy patients 52 (37-92) vs controls 111 (104-121) mumol l-1 min-1, p < 0.01; after pregnancy 130 (88-156) vs controls 186 (152-221) mumol l-1 min-1, p < 0.01). The postprandial energy saving in these women could constitute an evolutionary advantage. Insulin resistance may be the mechanism for limiting postprandial thermogenesis.

Adult

Response of sex hormone binding globulin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 to an oral glucose tolerance test in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after calorie restriction.

OBJECTIVE: We determined the relationship of short-term changes in circulating insulin concentrations, resulting from an oral glucose load, to those in both sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and assessed the effect of a short-term low calorie diet on the levels of SHBG and IGFBP-1 during an oral glucose tolerance test. DESIGN: A within-group comparison of biochemical indices during an oral glucose tolerance test before and after calorie restriction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome with mean (SD) BMI 34.2 (3.4) kg/m2 were studied before and after one month on a very low calorie diet (350 kcal/day; Cambridge diet). Each subject was given a 75-g oral glucose load after an overnight fast and blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for 3 hours. These were analysed for glucose, insulin, SHBG, and IGFBP-1. RESULTS: All the women lost weight (range 1.7-9.5 kg). The SHBG concentrations did not change significantly during the oral glucose tolerance test but there was a highly significant decline in IGFBP-1 levels both before (0 min, mean (SD) 27.3 (10.6); 180 min, 8.9 (4.2) micrograms/l) and after (0 min, 28.4 (12.1); 180 min, 6.2 (2.1) micrograms/l, P < 0.001) dieting. The sum of the SHBG concentrations during the test, however, was significantly lower prior (129.9 (40.5) nmol/l) to calorie restriction than after (164.3 (70.6) nmol/l), whereas there was no significant effect of dieting on the IGFBP-1 response to glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in insulin and SHBG concentrations found after dieting have been confirmed. SHBG levels, in contrast to IGFBP-1, do not change in response to a short-term increase in insulin or glucose concentrations. The difference in the response of the two binding proteins may be explained by differences in their half-lives in the circulation or the regulation of mRNA for the peptides by insulin. This study confirms that insulin regulates both SHBG and IGFBP-1 but that there is a difference in the time course of the response of the two proteins to insulin.

Carrier Proteins

Insulin insensitivity is associated with a decrease in postprandial thermogenesis in normal pregnancy.

Insulin sensitivity and postprandial thermogenesis were investigated at various stages of pregnancy to assess if changes in insulin sensitivity contribute to energy conservation during pregnancy. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were undertaken. Sixteen control non-pregnant women were compared with 10 women in the second trimester (2nd) and thirteen women in the third trimester (3rd) of uncomplicated pregnancy. Six women were studied at all three time points. The slope of plasma glucose decline following a bolus of intravenous insulin was used as an index of insulin sensitivity. Resting energy expenditure was measured with continuous indirect calorimetry. Postprandial thermogenesis was measured as the change in energy expenditure for the 2 h after a mixed meal. Results are expressed as mean +/- SEM or median (interquartile range). Insulin sensitivity was lower as pregnancy progressed (non-pregnant control 181 (177-205) vs 2nd 111 (100-112) vs 3rd 96 (80-109) mumol l-1 min-1, p < 0.001). Fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in the third trimester but not in the second trimester (non-pregnant control 1.9 (1.5-6.0) vs 2nd 3.1 (2.8-5.2) vs 3rd 8.6 (4.8-9.7) mU l-1, p < 0.05). Meal stimulated insulin levels were higher in the second and third trimesters compared to non-pregnant women (insulin area over 2 h, postmeal, non-pregnant control 78 +/- 10 vs 2nd 92 +/- 14 vs 3rd 145 +/- 14 mU l-1 h-1, p < 0.005). Postprandial thermogenesis was lowest in the third trimester (non-pregnant control 103 +/- 5 vs 2nd 74 +/- 8 vs 3rd 48 +/- 8 kJ, p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Differential metabolic actions of biosynthetic insulin analogues in normal man assessed by stable isotopic tracers.

Insulin analogues have been produced with high affinity for the insulin receptor and with affinity lower than that of native insulin, but differences in activity when administered in vivo to man are unconvincing. We have used very low dose insulin (0.005 units kg-1 h-1) to investigate possible differences in effect of these insulin analogues on lipolysis in seven healthy subjects. Only minor effects on blood glucose concentration were observed and glucose turnover measured isotopically with 6,6 2H glucose and leucine turnover measured with 1-13C leucine did not change significantly. Fatty acid levels decreased with insulin (area under curve, median (range) -23 (-41-10) mmol l-1) and with the low affinity analogue (-28 (-42-19) mmol l-1 h,), but the high affinity analogue had no significant effect compared with controls (high affinity analogue -8 (-28-35) mmol l-1 h; control +15 (11-53) mmol l-1). Glycerol production measured isotopically decreased with insulin (-0.54 (-1.50-0.63) mumol kg-1 min-1) and with the low affinity analogue (-0.74 (-1.76-0.72) mumol kg-1 min-1), but the high affinity analogue at these doses had no significant effect on glycerol turnover (-0.19 (-0.74-1.13) mumol kg-1 min-1). Thus at these low infusion rates insulin itself and the low affinity analogue suppressed lipolysis, as assessed by glycerol turnover and by circulating fatty acid concentrations. The high affinity analogue was cleared rapidly from the circulation producing no measurable increase in immunoreactive insulin concentrations, and no effect was observed on lipolysis.

Adult

Abnormalities of intermediary metabolism following a gestational diabetic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare intermediary metabolism in glucose tolerant women with previous gestational diabetes and control women without a history of gestational diabetes. SUBJECTS: Fifteen women with previous gestational diabetes and 15 controls individually matched for race, age and body mass index were included. Only subjects with normal glucose tolerance were included in this study. METHODS: Plasma glycerol, 3-OH butyrate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and insulin were measured fasting and following a 75 g oral glucose load. RESULTS: The women with previous gestational diabetes and their matched controls were of similar racial origin, age and body mass index. There was no difference between those with previous gestational diabetes and controls in fasting glycerol, 3-OH butyrate, NEFA, glucose or insulin concentrations. Following the oral glucose load, glycerol, 3-OH butyrate and NEFA concentrations fell in both groups. However, compared with controls at 120 minutes, those with previous gestational diabetes had significantly higher concentrations of glycerol (median 57, range 24-216 vs 27, range 8-89 mumols/l, P less than 0.005) and 3-OH butyrate (9, range 1-18 vs 5, range 2-11 mumols/l, P less than 0.01). NEFA concentrations were similar in the two groups. Despite similar glucose concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test the insulin response during the first 60 minutes following oral glucose was significantly reduced in the subjects with previous gestational diabetes when compared with controls (insulin area, 0-60 minutes; 2172, range 788-4767 vs 2830, range 996-4784 pmol min/l, P less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Women with a previous history of gestational diabetes, despite having normal glucose tolerance, have defective insulin release with resultant abnormalities of intermediary metabolism.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid

Postprandial thermogenesis is reduced in polycystic ovary syndrome and is associated with increased insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate the possible causes and effects of obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome resting energy expenditure, postprandial thermogenesis and insulin resistance were measured in 14 polycystic ovary syndrome subjects and in 14 controls. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of a selected group of patients was performed. PATIENTS: Seven of the PCOS subjects were obese and seven lean. Controls were individually matched for age, race, weight, body mass index (BMI) lean body mass and percentage fat. The obese, but not lean, polycystic ovary syndrome subjects had a greater waist:hip ratio than controls (median (range) obese PCOS 0.865 (0.823-0.960) vs obese control 0.804 (0.823-0.940), P less than 0.025). MEASUREMENTS: Metabolic rate was measured by continuous indirect calorimetry and insulin sensitivity was assessed by a short insulin tolerance test. RESULTS: The resting energy expenditure (REE) was similar in PCOS subjects and controls (median (range), 6796 (5489-7774) vs 6833 (4893-8492) kJ/day). REE correlated with LBM in the PCOS group (r = 0.83, P less than 0.00) and the control group (r = 0.82, P less than 0.001). Postprandial thermogenesis was reduced in polycystic ovary syndrome (obese: median 45.4 (range 33.6-100.0) vs 86.5 (67.2-109.2) kJ (P less than 0.05); lean: 79.4 (73.5-108.4) vs 89.9 (76.0-109.2) kJ (P less than 0.05). Fasting insulin (9.7 +/- 3.6 vs 4.4 +/- 0.8 mU/l, P less than 0.05) and postprandial incremental insulin rise (163 +/- 31 vs 116 +/- 15 mU/l, P less than 0.025) were higher in polycystic ovary syndrome. Insulin sensitivity was reduced in polycystic ovary syndrome (obese: median 136 (range 92-169) vs 173 (109-225) mumol/l/min (P less than 0.05); lean: 161 (138-225) vs 194 (161-253) mumol/l/min (P less than 0.05)). The reduction in insulin sensitivity correlated with the reduced postprandial thermogenesis in the polycystic ovary syndrome group (r = 0.75, P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results confirm previous reports of hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, polycystic ovary syndrome subjects have a reduced postprandial thermogenesis which is related statistically to the reduced insulin sensitivity. The decreased postprandial thermogenesis may predispose women with polycystic ovary syndrome to weight gain.

Adult

Improvement in endocrine and ovarian function during dietary treatment of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a greater frequency of menstrual disturbance and of hirsutism than lean women with the syndrome. Initial studies have demonstrated a marked improvement in endocrine function following a short-term, very low calorie diet. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of long-term calorie restriction on clinical as well as biochemical abnormalities in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. DESIGN: We performed a within-group comparison of clinical and biochemical indices before and during dietary treatment. PATIENTS: Twenty-four obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (mean weight 91.5 (SD 14.7) kg) were scheduled for treatment for 6-7 months with a 1000 kcal, low fat diet. Nineteen of the 24 had menstrual disturbances, 12 had infertility and 19 were hirsute. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Thirteen subjects lost more than 5% of their starting weight (range 5.9-22%). In this group there was no significant change in gonadotrophin or total serum testosterone levels but there was a marked increase in concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin (pretreatment: 23.6 (9.5); post-treatment 36.3 (11.8) nmol/l, P = 0.002) and a reciprocal change in free testosterone levels (77 (26) vs 53 (21) pmol/l, P = 0.009). These changes were accompanied by a reduction in fasting serum insulin levels (median (range) 11.2 (5.2-32) vs 2.3 (0.1-13.8) mU/l, P = 0.018) and the insulin response to 75 g oral glucose. There were no significant changes in these indices in the group who lost less than 5% of their initial body weight. Of the 13 women who lost greater than 5% of their pretreatment weight, 11 had menstrual dysfunction. Amongst these women, nine of 11 showed an improvement in reproductive function, i.e. they either conceived (five) or experienced a more regular menstrual pattern. There was a reduction in hirsutism in 40% of the women in this group. By contrast, in the group who lost less than 5% of their initial weight, only one of the eight with menstrual disturbances noted an improvement in reproductive function and none had a significant reduction in hirsutism. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that moderate weight loss during long-term calorie restriction is associated with a marked clinical improvement which reflects the reduction in insulin concentrations and reciprocal changes in SHBG. The improvement in menstrual function and fertility may therefore be consequent upon an increase in insulin sensitivity which, directly or indirectly, affects ovarian function.

Body Mass Index

Ethnic differences in insulin secretion in women at risk of future diabetes.

The plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose were studied in 44 women who had previously had gestational diabetes, but had reverted to normal glucose tolerance. Twenty were White, 14 Black, and 10 Asian. A group of race-, age- and weight-matched controls was also studied. Fasting values of glucose and insulin did not differ significantly between the study group and controls. During the 2 h 75-g OGTT the White and Black previously gestational-diabetic women had similar plasma glucose values to their controls, while the Asian previously gestational-diabetic women had significantly higher glucose values at 30 min (9.2 +/- 0.6 (+/- SE) vs 7.1 +/- 0.3 mmol l-1, p less than 0.02) and at 60 min (8.6 +/- 0.8 vs 6.2 +/- 0.4 mmol l-1, p less than 0.02). Compared with their race-matched controls, the White previously gestational-diabetic women had significantly lower insulin values at 60 min (median 41 range 2-91) vs 56 (15-118) mU l-1, p less than 0.05), and the Black previously gestational-diabetic women had lower values at both 30 min (17 (4-116) vs 53 (22-197) mU l-1) and 60 min (36 (4-148) vs 99 (12-169) mU l-1, p less than 0.05). The insulin values were similar during the OGTT in the Asian previously gestational-diabetic women and their controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

A defect in insulin release in women at risk of future non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

1. A study on seven Caucasian glucose-tolerant women with previous gestational diabetes and seven matched control subjects is presented. The insulin response to oral glucose, insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose production rates were measured by using a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, an insulin tolerance test and a non-radioactive tracer, [6,6-2H]glucose, respectively. 2. Fasting plasma glucose levels were similar between the women with previous gestational diabetes and the control subjects (4.8 +/- 0.3 versus 4.7 +/- 0.2 mmol/l), as were fasting plasma insulin levels (median 4 m-units/l, range 1-13 m-units/l versus median 4 m-units/l, range 1-24 m-units/l). After oral glucose the 60 min plasma glucose levels in the women with previous gestational diabetes were significantly higher (8.5 +/- 0.6 versus 6.7 +/- 0.8 mmol/l, P less than 0.05), whereas the plasma insulin level was significantly lower at both 30 min (median 23 m-units/l, range 4-47 m-units/l versus median 55 m-units/l, range 23-100 m-units/l, P less than 0.02) and at 60 min (median 23 m-units/l, range 4-43 m-units/l versus median 60 m-units/l, range 16-126 m-units/l, P less than 0.02). 3. Insulin sensitivity, expressed as the slope of the regression line of plasma glucose level against time after intravenous infusion of insulin (0.05 unit/kg), was similar in the women with previous gestational diabetes and the control subjects (mean slope, -0.17 +/- 0.01 versus -0.17 +/- 0.01). 4. Fasting glucose production rates were similar in the women with previous gestational diabetes and the control subjects (2.2 +/- 0.3 versus 1.9 +/- 0.1 mg min-1 kg-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Feedback inhibition of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes.

1. The purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of insulin to inhibit its own secretion in type 2 diabetes independently of the prevailing plasma glucose concentration. 2. The responses of the plasma C-peptide concentration to sustained hyperinsulinaemia were assessed during a 200 min isoglycaemic clamp study in 14 patients with type 2 diabetes and seven age- and weight-matched control subjects. The arterialized venous plasma glucose concentration was clamped at approximately 0.3 mmol/l below each subject's own basal level and was not permitted to rise above the basal level. 3. In the fasting state, the plasma C-peptide concentration was slightly, but not significantly, higher in the diabetic patients than in the control subjects (667 versus 413 pmol/l, respectively, P = 0.07), but it remained significantly higher in the diabetic patients during the clamp studies in absolute terms (minimum plasma C-peptide concentration 400 pmol/l in diabetic patients versus 151 pmol/l in control subjects, P less than 0.05) and was suppressed to a lesser extent when expressed as a percentage change from basal (35.8% in diabetic patients versus 59.4% in control subjects, P less than 0.01). 4. In order to investigate whether a high plasma glucose concentration was maintaining the plasma C-peptide concentration in the diabetic patients, six of these patients underwent a second clamp study at euglycaemia (plasma glucose concentration 5.2 mmol/l). Under these conditions, the plasma C-peptide concentration was suppressed to the same extent as in the control subjects (from 623 to 195 pmol/l, a change of 62.7%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Abnormalities in fasting circulating proinsulin concentration in mild gestational diabetes.

Fasting plasma proinsulin, insulin and glucose concentrations were measured in ten women with mild gestational diabetes and ten controls matched for race, age (32 +/- 6 vs 31 +/- 6 years), body mass index (28 +/- 8 vs 27 +/- 6) and gestational week (24 +/- 4 vs 25 +/- 4 weeks). There was no significant difference in fasting plasma glucose between these gestational diabetics and their controls (median 4.7, range 3.7-6.0 mmol/l vs 4.5, range 3.4-5.3 mmol/l). The fasting proinsulin levels were significantly higher in the gestational diabetics compared with the controls (median 12.2, range less than 4-14.8 pmol/l vs 5.8, range less than 4-12.8 pmol/l, P less than or equal to 0.02, Wilcoxon Summed Rank Test), while the calculated intact insulin levels (immunoreactive insulin minus proinsulin) were significantly lower (median 14.5, range 6.3-81.8 pmol/l vs 51.6, range 11.7-312 pmol/l, P less than or equal to 0.01). The ratio of proinsulin to calculated intact insulin was significantly higher in the gestational diabetics than the controls (median 0.66, range 0.16-2.04 vs 0.12, range 0.03-0.62), P less than or equal to 0.01). These results demonstrate that gestational diabetics, with normal fasting plasma glucose values, have abnormalities in pancreatic beta-cell secretion, which are likely to be important both in the aetiology of gestational diabetes and non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Adult