Plasma Glucose Levels (plasma + glucose_level)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


,-Lipoic acid reduces congenital malformations in the offspring of diabetic mice

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 3 2009
Y. Sugimura
Abstract Background The mechanism of diabetes-induced congenital malformation remains to be elucidated. It has been reported that ,-lipoic acid (LA) prevents neural tube defects (NTDs) in offsprings of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Here, we evaluate the protective effect of LA against diabetic embryopathy, including NTDs, cardiovascular malformations (CVMs), and skeletal malformations, in mice. Methods Female mice were rendered hyperglycemic using streptozotocin and then mated with normal male mouse. Pregnant diabetic or non-diabetic mice were treated daily with either LA (100 mg/kg body weight) or saline between gestational days 0 and 18. On day 18, fetuses were examined for congenital malformations. Results Plasma glucose levels on day 18 were not affected by LA treatment. No congenital malformations were observed either in the saline-treated or LA-treated non-diabetic group. In the saline-treated diabetic group, 39% of fetuses had external malformations and 30% had NTDs. In the LA-treated diabetic group, the corresponding proportions were 11 and 8%, respectively. LA treatment also decreased the incidence of CVMs from 30,3% and of skeletal malformations from 29,6%. Conclusions We conclude that LA can reduce NTDs, CVMs and skeletal malformations in the offspring of diabetic mice at term delivery. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Responses to handling and confinement stressors in juvenile great sturgeon Huso huso

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
B. Falahatkar
The effects of acute stressors on physiological responses of juvenile great sturgeon or beluga Huso huso L. were investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, fish were handled by placing them in containers at either low density (LD, one fish l,1) or high density (HD, four fish l,1) for 60 s. Concentrations of plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate were determined from blood collected at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h after application of the stressor. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased after the disturbance in H. huso from both handling treatments, but changes were not significant. Plasma glucose rose significantly by 22·9 and 31·6% in LD and HD handling treatments, respectively, after 3 h. Significant increases in plasma lactate occurred within 1 h in both treatment groups, but that of the HD group was much higher. In the second experiment, fish were held at two different densities, LD (2 kg m,2 tank bottom surface area) and HD (7 kg m,2), for 8 weeks and then subjected to an aerial emersion handling stressor in a net for 60 s; blood samples were taken before handling (resting, 0 h) and at 1, 3, 6 and 9 h after handling. Plasma cortisol increased significantly in fish from the HD treatment from 8·8 ± 0·3 to 19·2 ± 2·4 ng ml,1 (mean ±s.e.) by 1 h after stress, but post-handling changes in the LD group were not significant. Significant increases in both plasma glucose and lactate were observed by 1 h in both treatment groups, with peak levels of plasma glucose evident at 3 h [69·4 ± 2·9 and 60·9 ± 1·7 mg dl,1 (mean ±s.e.) in LD and HD groups, respectively]. Plasma glucose levels were significantly higher in the LD group than in the HD group at 3 and 6 h. Post-handling haemoglobin content increased by 1 h and white blood cell numbers were reduced by 3 and 6 h in the HD treatment group compared with resting values, but changes in these blood features in the LD group were not significant. Acute handling did not affect haematocrit in either treatment. The results suggest that H. huso is relatively resistant to handling and confinement, and could tolerate normal hatchery practices associated with aquaculture. Because changes in cortisol concentrations were relatively low compared with those in most teleosts, glucose and lactate concentrations may be more useful as stress indicators in juvenile H. huso. This study also demonstrated that prior exposure to a chronic stressor, specifically high stocking density, could alter the physiological response to subsequent acute handling in H. huso. [source]


Effects of central administration of glucagon on feed intake and endocrine responses in sheep

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009
Yohei KUROSE
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate effects of glucagon intracerebroventricularly administered on feed intake and endocrine changes in sheep. Four male sheep (48,55 kg BW) were used. The animals were acclimatized to be fed alfalfa hay cubes at 12.00 hour. Human glucagon (40 and 80 µg/0.5 mL) was injected into the lateral ventricle at 12.00 hour. Blood samples were taken every 10 min from 30 min before to 180 min after the glucagon injection. Soon after the injection, the animals were given alfalfa hay cubes, and the amounts of the feed eaten within 2 h were measured. Feed intakes were significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed by 80 µg of glucagon. Plasma glucose levels in control animals were gradually decreased after the feeding, whilst those in glucagon-treated animals were temporarily elevated just after the feeding and then kept higher than control levels. Plasma insulin was abruptly elevated after the feeding and was maintained at higher levels than before the feeding in all treatments. Plasma NEFA concentrations were decreased after the feeding in all treatments. A tendency of increase in plasma cortisol levels occurred in glucagon-injected animals. The present study provides the first evidence that glucagon directly acts on the brain, then inhibiting feeding behavior and inducing endocrine responses in ruminants. [source]


Intermediate metabolism in normal pregnancy and in gestational diabetes

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 4 2003
G. Di Cianni
Abstract Complex though integrated hormonal and metabolic changes characterize pregnancy. In the face of progressive decline in insulin action, glucose homeostasis is maintained through a compensatory increase in insulin secretion. This switches energy production from carbohydrates to lipids, making glucose readily available to the fetus. This precise and entangled hormonal and metabolic condition can, however, be disrupted and diabetic hyperglycemia can develop (gestational diabetes). The increase in plasma glucose level is believed to confer significant risk of complications to both the mother and the fetus and the newborn. Moreover, exposition of fetal tissues to the diabetic maternal environment can translate into an increased risk for development of diabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome in the adult life. In women with previous gestational diabetes, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greatly enhanced, to the point that GDM represents an early stage in the natural history of type 2 diabetes. In these women, accurate follow-up and prevention strategies are needed to reduce the subsequent development of overt diabetes. This paper will review current knowledge on the modifications occurring in normal pregnancy, while outlining the mechanisms. In this paper, we will review the changes of intermediary metabolism occurring during pregnancy. In particular, we will outline the mechanisms responsible for gestational diabetes; the link between these alterations and associated maternal and neonatal morbidity will be examined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Improvement of insulin absorption from intratracheally administrated dry powder prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide process

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2003
Hiroaki Todo
Abstract The purpose of this study was to improve insulin absorption from dry powder after administration in lung without an absorption enhancer. The dry powders, with mannitol as a carrier, were prepared with or without an absorption enhancer (citric acid) by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF) and spray drying (SD) processes. Insulin powder was precipitated from dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous solutions by dispersing the insulin solutions from parallel and V-type nozzles, respectively, into supercritical carbon dioxide, which is an antisolvent for insulin. In vitro aerosol performance was evaluated with a cascade impactor. Insulin powder containing citric acid prepared by the SCF method (MIC SCF) showed improved inhalation performance compared with insulin powder prepared by the SD process, although the particle size of the former powder was larger than that in powders prepared by SD. Insulin absorption was estimated from the change in plasma glucose level. The blood glucose level after administration of the insulin powder without citric acid prepared by the SCF process (MI SCF) decreased rapidly, and a significant difference was observed for areas under the curve of change in plasma glucose concentration versus time (AUCs) between MI SCF and the insulin powder without citric acid prepared by the SD process (MI SD). These results suggest that the SCF technique would be useful to prepare dry powders suitable for inhalation. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:2475,2486, 2003 [source]


The anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetic profiles of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium in non-diabetic and diabetic rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008
Shuang-Qing Zhang
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetics of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV) in rats. The anti-diabetic study was carried out in non-diabetic and diabetic rats by single-dose subcutaneous and intragastric administration. Pharmacokinetic investigation was performed using non-diabetic rats. Results showed that BMOV significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats at all given doses, and restored hyperglycaemic values to normal values after subcutaneous injections at doses of 4 and 8 mg vanadium (V)/kg or after intragastric administration at doses of 14 and 28 mgV/kg, respectively, but did not affect the plasma glucose level in non-diabetic rats. BMOV could be rapidly absorbed, slowly eliminated from plasma, widely distributed in various tissues and accumulated to a greater extent in the femur tissue. The average absolute bioavailability for intragastric administration at a single dose of 3, 6 and 12 mgV/kg was 28.1%, 33.7% and 21.4%, respectively. The presence of the peak vanadium level in the plasma was not coincident with that of the maximum effect of lowering plasma glucose levels. In conclusion, at the present dosing levels and administration routes, BMOV was effective in lowering plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. BMOV has a promising outlook as an oral glucose-lowering drug. [source]


Effect of streptozotocin on the ultrastructure of rat pancreatic islets

MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 5 2004
M. Daisy Mythili
Abstract Our objective was to study the effects of three (30, 40, and 50 mg/kg) doses of Streptozotocin (STZ) on fasting plasma glucose level (FPG) and observe its effects at the cellular level in rat pancreas by electron microscopy. FPG was measured in rats before induction of diabetes and then on 3, 7, and 14 days after induction of diabetes with STZ. Keto diastix urine strips were used to check urine glucose and ketone bodies. Two weeks after the induction of diabetes, the rat pancreas was removed and fixed for light and electron microscopic studies. Three days after induction, the mean FPG level was 112 mg/dl in Group I (30 mg/kg STZ), 217 mg/dl in Group II (40 mg/kg STZ), and 376 mg/dl in Group III (50 mg/kg STZ). Histology was normal in Group I but revealed altered islet structure in Groups II and III. Ultrastructure revealed intact D cells in all three groups. The focal mitochondria and Golgi complex swelling found in A and B cells was occasional in Group I and frequent in Groups II and III. Swelling of other organelles and reduction in the size and number of granules was further observed in Group III. It is our conclusion that the 30-mg/kg body weight STZ produces mild changes while 50 mg/kg proves to be fatal. STZ at 40 mg/kg has a moderate effect on plasma glucose as well as on the islets of Langerhans at a cellular level. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:274,281, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Incidence of and Risk Factors for Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus after Pancreas Transplantation

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010
N. Neidlinger
Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) after pancreas transplantation (PTX) has not been extensively examined. This single center, retrospective analysis of 674 recipients from 1994 to 2005 examines the incidence of and risk factors for PTDM after PTX. PTDM was defined by fasting plasma glucose level ,126 mg/dL, confirmed on a subsequent measurement or treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent for ,30 days. The incidence of PTDM was 14%, 17% and 25% at 3, 5 and 10 years after PTX, respectively and was higher (p = 0.01) in solitary pancreas (PAN) versus simultaneous kidney pancreas (SPK) recipients (mean follow-up 6.5 years). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with PTDM were: older donor age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03,1.06, p < 0.001), higher recipient body mass index (HR 1.07,CI 1.01,1.13, p = 0.01), donor positive/recipient negative CMV status (HR 1.65,CI 1.03,2.6, p = 0.04), posttransplant weight gain (HR 4.7,CI 1.95,11.1, p < 0.001), pancreas rejection (HR 1.94.CI 1.3,2.9, p < 0.001) and 6 month fasting glucose (HR 1.01,CI 1.01,1.02, p < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c, (HR 1.12,CI 1.05,1.22, p = 0.002) and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio (HR 0.94,CI 0.91,0.96, p < 0.001). This study delineates the incidence and identifies risk factors for PTDM after PTX. [source]


Physiological effects and active ingredients of Viburnum dilatatum Thunb fruits on oxidative stress

BIOFACTORS, Issue 1-4 2004
Kunihisa Iwai
Abstract The fruit of Viburnum dilatatum Thunb, called gamazumi in Japan, showed the strong antioxidant activities, and its preventive effects on oxidative stress and active ingredients were investigated. Male rats were subjected to water immersion restraint stress for 6 hours, after ingestion of the gamazumi crude extract (GCE) for 2 weeks. The formation of gastric ulcer was reduced, and the lipid peroxidation in plasma and organs also lowered in rats ingested GCE. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats given GCE for 10 weeks, inhibition of lipid peroxidation in plasma, erythrocytes and organs was observed, and the increase of plasma glucose level also lowered. On the other hand, two cyanidin glycosides, two chlorogenic acids and quercetin were identified, and especially cyanidin 3-sambubioside (Cy 3-sam) showed the strong radical scavenging activity. It is suggested that Cy 3-sam is a key compound contributing to the physiological effects of V. dilatatum fruit. [source]


Moxonidine improves glycaemic control in mildly hypertensive, overweight patients: a comparison with metformin

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2006
Irina Chazova
Aim:, To compare the effects of moxonidine and metformin on glycaemic control in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and signs of the metabolic syndrome. Methods:, A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label study design was adopted with blinded endpoint evaluation. Patients ,40 years old, with impaired glucose tolerance (or diabetes mellitus treated with diet alone) and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 kg/m2 were treated twice daily with moxonidine 0.2 mg or metformin 500 mg for 16 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at baseline and end-of-study; plasma insulin and plasma glucose levels were measured at 0, 60, 120 and 180 min after administration. Results:, With regard to effects on insulin [mean area under the curve (AUC) for insulin], the primary efficacy endpoint of the study, both drugs did not show equivalence. On the contrary, in the per protocol (PP) population, moxonidine statistically significantly (p = 0.025) decreased the AUC for insulin from baseline in the PP population; for metformin, the treatment effect on insulin was a small, net increase resulting in a statistically significant between-group difference of 16.2% (95% CI = 0.1,35.0). The change in mean insulin AUC was most marked in the subgroup of patients with higher sympathetic activity (heart rate >80 bpm). Mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and HbA1c levels were largely unchanged by moxonidine treatment but significantly decreased by metformin treatment. The difference between the groups was 14.7% (p = 0.0523) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) sample. By study end, both treatments had significantly increased the Matsuda Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI) from baseline to a comparable extent: moxonidine by reducing plasma insulin after a glucose challenge, metformin by reducing FPG. BMI fell significantly in both groups and blood pressure normalized; both drugs were well tolerated. Conclusions:, Moxonidine improved insulin sensitivity in response to glucose challenge in patients with evidence of metabolic syndrome. This improvement resulted from a reduction in plasma insulin levels and was most marked in patients with high sympathetic drive at baseline. By enhancing insulin sensitivity, moxonidine treatment may help prevent the development of diabetes and thereby ameliorate the risk for cardiovascular disease. [source]


Comparison of additional metformin or NPH insulin to mealtime insulin lispro therapy with mealtime human insulin therapy in secondary OAD failure

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2003
Y. Altuntas
Aim:, It has been found that non-fasting plasma glucose is a better marker of diabetic control than fasting plasma glucose in type 2 diabetes. The main aim of treatment of type 2 diabetic patients is to control plasma glucose and HbA1c levels. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of three different insulin regimens (group I: lispro insulin + NPH insulin, group II: lispro insulin + metformin and group III: regular insulin + NPH insulin) on overall glycaemic control and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetic patients with secondary oral anti-diabetic drug failure. Methods:, Sixty type 2 diabetic patients with secondary OAD failure were randomly allocated into three different treatment groups equally. There were no significant differences between groups concerning age, body mass index, diabetes duration, HbA1c and serum lipid levels at the beginning of the study. During the 6-month treatment period, blood glucose levels were determined 10 times during 24 h at pre-meal, post-prandial 1 and 2 h and at bedtime. Results:, Group I was found to be the most effective treatment regimen in controlling HbA1c levels (group I vs. group II, p = 0.013; group I vs. group III, p = 0.001; group II vs. group III, p > 0.05). When the comparison was made in each group, change in HbA1c was statistically significant for all groups (,3.18%, p = 0.001; ,2.02%, p = 0.043 and ,2.66%, p = 0.008 respectively). Group I was found to be more effective in controlling fasting and post-prandial plasma glucose levels measured at all times during the day when compared with group II and group III. In group II triglyceride levels were found to be significantly reduced, whereas other groups had no effect on lipids. No serious hypoglycaemic episodes were observed in any of the cases, whereas in group I hypoglycaemic episode rates were increased (,2 = 8.843, p = 0.012). Conclusions:, Lispro insulin plus NPH insulin regimen is more effective in controlling both pre- and post-prandial glucose levels and HbA1c when compared to regular insulin plus NPH insulin combination. Mealtime lispro insulin plus metformin combination therapy should also be seriously considered as an effective and alternative treatment regimen. It is worthy of attention that insulin lispro plus metformin lowered triglyceride levels. [source]


Lower levels of circulating IGF-I in Type 1 diabetic women with frequent severe hypoglycaemia during pregnancy

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2008
L. Ringholm Nielsen
Abstract Aims Severe hypoglycaemia is a significant problem in pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes. We explored whether frequent severe hypoglycaemia during pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes is related to placental growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Methods A prospective, observational study of 107 consecutive pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes. Blood samples were drawn for IGF-I and placental GH analyses at 8, 14, 21, 27 and 33 weeks. Severe hypoglycaemic events were reported within 24 h. Results Eleven women (10%) experienced frequent severe hypoglycaemia (, 5 events), accounting for 60% of all events. Throughout pregnancy, IGF-I levels were 25% lower in these women (P < 0.005) compared with the remaining women, despite similar placental GH levels. Eighty per cent of the severe hypoglycaemic events occurred before 20 weeks when IGF-I levels were at their lowest. This finding was not explained by differences in insulin dose, median plasma glucose levels or glycated haemoglobin. History of severe hypoglycaemia the year preceding pregnancy and impaired hypoglycaemia awareness,being the only predictors of frequent severe hypoglycaemia in a logistic regression analysis,were not associated with IGF-I or placental GH levels at 8 weeks. Conclusions In women with Type 1 diabetes experiencing frequent severe hypoglycaemia during pregnancy, IGF-I levels are significantly lower compared with the remaining women despite similar placental GH levels. IGF-I levels are lowest in early pregnancy where the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia is highest. IGF-I may be a novel factor of interest in the investigation of severe hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 1 diabetes. [source]


Capsaicin-sensitive sensory fibers in the islets of Langerhans contribute to defective insulin secretion in Zucker diabetic rat, an animal model for some aspects of human type 2 diabetes

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2007
Dorte X. Gram
Abstract The system that regulates insulin secretion from ,-cells in the islet of Langerhans has a capsaicin-sensitive inhibitory component. As calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-expressing primary sensory fibers innervate the islets, and a major proportion of the CGRP-containing primary sensory neurons is sensitive to capsaicin, the islet-innervating sensory fibers may represent the capsaicin-sensitive inhibitory component. Here, we examined the expression of the capsaicin receptor, vanilloid type 1 transient receptor potential receptor (TRPV1) in CGRP-expressing fibers in the pancreatic islets, and the effect of selective elimination of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents on the decline of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are used to study various aspects of human type 2 diabetes mellitus. We found that CGRP-expressing fibers in the pancreatic islets also express TRPV1. Furthermore, we also found that systemic capsaicin application before the development of hyperglycemia prevents the increase of fasting, non-fasting, and mean 24-h plasma glucose levels, and the deterioration of glucose tolerance assessed on the fifth week following the injection. These effects were accompanied by enhanced insulin secretion and a virtually complete loss of CGRP- and TRPV1-coexpressing islet-innervating fibers. These data indicate that CGRP-containing fibers in the islets are capsaicin sensitive, and that elimination of these fibers contributes to the prevention of the deterioration of glucose homeostasis through increased insulin secretion in ZDF rats. Based on these data we propose that the activity of islet-innervating capsaicin-sensitive fibers may have a role in the development of reduced insulin secretion in human type 2 diabetes mellitus. [source]


Nursing and midwifery management of hypoglycaemia in healthy term neonates

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 7 2005
Vivien Hewitt BSc(Hons) GradDipLib
Executive summary Objectives The primary objective of this review was to determine the best available evidence for maintenance of euglycaemia, in healthy term neonates, and the management of asymptomatic hypoglycaemia in otherwise healthy term neonates. Inclusion criteria Types of studies The review included any relevant published or unpublished studies undertaken between 1995 and 2004. Studies that focus on the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care devices for blood glucose screening and/or monitoring in the neonate were initially included as a subgroup of this review. However, the technical nature and complexity of the statistical information published in diagnostic studies retrieved during the literature search stage, as well as the considerable volume of published research in this area, suggested that it would be more feasible to analyse diagnostic studies in a separate systematic review. Types of participants The review focused on studies that included healthy term (37- to 42-week gestation) appropriate size for gestational age neonates in the first 72 h after birth. Exclusions ,,preterm or small for gestational age newborns; ,,term neonates with a diagnosed medical or surgical condition, congenital or otherwise; ,,babies of diabetic mothers; ,,neonates with symptomatic hypoglycaemia; ,,large for gestational age neonates (as significant proportion are of diabetic mothers). Types of intervention All interventions that fell within the scope of practice of a midwife/nurse were included: ,,type (breast or breast milk substitutes), amount and/or timing of feeds, for example, initiation of feeding, and frequency; ,,regulation of body temperature; ,,monitoring (including screening) of neonates, including blood or plasma glucose levels and signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Interventions that required initiation by a medical practitioner were excluded from the review. Types of outcome measures Outcomes that were of interest included: ,,occurrence of hypoglycaemia; ,,re-establishment and maintenance of blood or plasma glucose levels at or above set threshold (as defined by the particular study); ,,successful breast-feeding; ,,developmental outcomes. Types of research designs The review initially focused on randomised controlled trials reported from 1995 to 2004. Insufficient randomised controlled trials were identified and the review was expanded to include additional cohort and cross-sectional studies for possible inclusion in a narrative summary. Search strategy The major electronic databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, etc., were searched using accepted search techniques to identify relevant published and unpublished studies undertaken between 1995 and 2004. Efforts were made to locate any relevant unpublished materials, such as conference papers, research reports and dissertations. Printed journals were hand-searched and reference lists checked for potentially useful research. The year 1995 was selected as the starting point in order to identify any research that had not been included in the World Health Organisation review, which covered literature published up to 1996. The search was not limited to English language studies. Assessment of quality Three primary reviewers conducted the review assisted by a review panel. The review panel was comprised of nine nurses with expertise in neonatal care drawn from senior staff in several metropolitan neonatal units and education programs. Authorship of journal articles was not concealed from the reviewers. Methodological quality of each study that met the inclusion criteria was assessed by two reviewers, using a quality assessment checklist developed for the review. Disagreements between reviewers were resolved through discussion or with the assistance of a third reviewer. Data extraction and analysis Two reviewers used a data extraction form to independently extract data relating to the study design, setting and participants; study focus and intervention(s); and measurements and outcomes. As only one relevant randomised controlled trial was found, a meta-analysis could not be conducted nor tables constructed to illustrate comparisons between studies. Instead, the findings were summarised by a narrative identifying any relevant findings that emerged from the data. Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria for the objective of this systematic review. The review provided information on the effectiveness of three categories of intervention , type of feeds, timing of feeds and thermoregulation on two of the outcome measures identified in the review protocol , prevention of hypoglycaemia, and re-establishment and maintenance of blood or plasma glucose levels above the set threshold (as determined by the particular study). There was no evidence available on which to base conclusions for effectiveness of monitoring or developmental outcomes, and insufficient evidence for breast-feeding success. Given that only a narrative review was possible, the findings of this review should be interpreted with caution. The findings suggest that the incidence of hypoglycaemia in healthy, breast-fed term infants of appropriate size for gestational age is uncommon and routine screening of these infants is not indicated. The method and timing of early feeding has little or no influence on the neonatal blood glucose measurement at 1 h in normal term babies. In healthy, breast-fed term infants the initiation and timing of feeds in the first 6 h of life has no significant influence on plasma glucose levels. The colostrum of primiparous mothers provides sufficient nutrition for the infant in the first 24 h after birth, and supplemental feeds or extra water is unnecessary. Skin-to-skin contact appears to provide an optimal environment for fetal to neonatal adaptation after birth and can help to maintain body temperature and adequate blood glucose levels in healthy term newborn infants, as well as providing an ideal opportunity to establish early bonding behaviours. Implications for practice The seven studies analysed in this review confirm the World Health Organisation's first three recommendations for prevention and management of asymptomatic hypoglycaemia, namely: 1Early and exclusive breast-feeding is safe to meet the nutritional needs of healthy term newborns worldwide. 2Healthy term newborns that are breast-fed on demand need not have their blood glucose routinely checked and need no supplementary foods or fluids. 3Healthy term newborns do not develop ,symptomatic' hypoglycaemia as a result of simple underfeeding. If an infant develops signs suggesting hypoglycaemia, look for an underlying condition. Detection and treatment of the cause are as important as correction of the blood glucose level. If there are any concerns that the newborn infant might be hypoglycaemic it should be given another feed. Given the importance of thermoregulation, skin-to-skin contact should be promoted and ,kangaroo care' encouraged in the first 24 h after birth. While it is important to main the infant's body temperature care should be taken to ensure that the child does not become overheated. [source]


Lack of glucose and hsp70 responses in haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.) subjected to handling and heat shock

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
L. O. B. Afonso
Juvenile haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (c. 39 g) were exposed to either a handling stressor (1 min out of water) or heat shock (increase from 10 to 15° C for 1 h), and plasma cortisol, plasma glucose and gill hsp70 levels were determined before, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post-stress. The pattern of cortisol increase was similar following both stressors, with levels increasing by 25-fold at 1 h post-stress, but returning to pre-stress levels (2,5 ng ml,1) by 3 h. In contrast, neither handling nor heat shock caused an increase in plasma glucose levels. Although gill hsp70 was detected, presumably constitutive levels, in both control and heat shocked groups, there were not significant changes in gill hsp70 levels after exposure to heat shock. The lack of glucose and hsp70 responses to these typical stressors is consistent with previous studies on Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, and suggests that the stress physiology of Gadidae differs from the ,typical' teleost. [source]


Gut,Brain Axis: Regulation of Glucose Metabolism

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
A. C. Heijboer
Obesity and type II diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic proportions. From this perspective, knowledge about the regulation of satiety and food intake is more important than ever. The gut releases several peptides upon feeding, which affect hypothalamic pathways involved in the regulation of satiety and metabolism. Within the hypothalamus, there are complex interactions between many nuclei of which the arcuate nucleus is considered as one of the most important hypothalamic centres that regulates food intake. The neuropeptides, which are present in the hypothalamus and are involved in regulating food intake, also play a key role in regulating glucose metabolism and energy expenditure. In synchrony with the effects of those neuropeptides, gastrointestinal hormones also affect glucose metabolism and energy expenditure. In this review, the effects of the gastrointestinal hormones ghrelin, cholecystokinin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide, oxyntomodulin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide on glucose and energy metabolism are reviewed. These gut hormones affect glucose metabolism at different levels: by altering food intake and body weight, and thereby insulin sensitivity; by affecting gastric delay and gut motility, and thereby meal-related fluctuations in glucose levels; by affecting insulin secretion, and thereby plasma glucose levels, and by affecting tissue specific insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism. These observations point to the notion of a major role of the gut,brain axis in the integrative physiology of whole body fuel metabolism. [source]


Antidiabetic properties of the alcoholic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus in streptozotocin-nicotinamide diabetic rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2008
Kirti S. Prabhu
We have investigated the possible antihyperglycaemic effects of Sphaeranthus indicus extract in rats rendered diabetic by nicotinamide (120 mgkg,1 i.p.) and streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mgkg,1 i.p). Fasting plasma glucose levels, serum insulin levels, serum lipid profiles, magnesium levels, glycosylated haemoglobin, changes in body weight and liver glycogen levels were evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. Oral administration of S. indicus for 15 days resulted in significant decrease in blood glucose levels and increases in hepatic glycogen and plasma insulin levels. Fasting normal rats treated with the alcoholic extract of S. indicus showed significant improvement in oral glucose tolerance test. Glibenclamide was used as a reference standard. The findings demonstrate that the alcoholic S. indicus extract may be useful in the treatment of diabetes. [source]


The anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetic profiles of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium in non-diabetic and diabetic rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008
Shuang-Qing Zhang
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetics of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV) in rats. The anti-diabetic study was carried out in non-diabetic and diabetic rats by single-dose subcutaneous and intragastric administration. Pharmacokinetic investigation was performed using non-diabetic rats. Results showed that BMOV significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats at all given doses, and restored hyperglycaemic values to normal values after subcutaneous injections at doses of 4 and 8 mg vanadium (V)/kg or after intragastric administration at doses of 14 and 28 mgV/kg, respectively, but did not affect the plasma glucose level in non-diabetic rats. BMOV could be rapidly absorbed, slowly eliminated from plasma, widely distributed in various tissues and accumulated to a greater extent in the femur tissue. The average absolute bioavailability for intragastric administration at a single dose of 3, 6 and 12 mgV/kg was 28.1%, 33.7% and 21.4%, respectively. The presence of the peak vanadium level in the plasma was not coincident with that of the maximum effect of lowering plasma glucose levels. In conclusion, at the present dosing levels and administration routes, BMOV was effective in lowering plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. BMOV has a promising outlook as an oral glucose-lowering drug. [source]


Aminated gelatin as a nasal absorption enhancer for peptide drugs: evaluation of absorption enhancing effect and nasal mucosa perturbation in rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2002
Jian Wang
This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of aminated gelatin as a nasal absorption enhancer for peptide drugs. The absorption-enhancing effect was investigated in rats using insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran with a molecular weight of 4.4 kDa (FD-4) as model drugs. The absorption of insulin was estimated by measuring the changes in plasma glucose levels following intranasal administration, and that of FD-4 was determined by measuring its plasma concentration after dosing. The hypoglycaemic effect after intranasal administration of insulin with aminated gelatin significantly increased compared with that after intranasal administration of insulin in phosphate buffered saline, indicating that aminated gelatin effectively enhanced the nasal absorption of insulin. In contrast, neither kind of native gelatin (isoelectric point = 5.0 and 9.0) showed any absorption-enhancing effect. The pH of the formulations and the concentration of aminated gelatin were found to affect the hypoglycaemic effect. In addition, aminated gelatin at a concentration of 0.2 % significantly enhanced the absorption and the efflux of FD-4 through the rat nasal mucosa. The possible perturbation of aminated gelatin to nasal mucosa was evaluated by measuring the leaching of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) using an in-situ perfusion rat model. Aminated gelatin presented a concentration-dependent (0.1-0.4 %) but relatively small effect on the LDH leaching from the rat nasal epithelial membrane. These results suggest that positively charged aminated gelatin could be a new absorption enhancer for nasal delivery of peptide drugs. [source]


Ursolic acid and luteolin-7-glucoside improve lipid profiles and increase liver glycogen content through glycogen synthase kinase-3

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue S2 2010
Marisa F. Azevedo
Abstract In the present study, two phytochemicals , ursolic acid (UA) and luteolin-7-glucoside (L7G) , were assessed in vivo in healthy rats regarding effects on plasma glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL and LDL), as well as liver glycogen content, in view of their importance in the aetiology of diabetes and associated complications. Both UA and L7G significantly decreased plasma glucose concentration. UA also significantly increased liver glycogen levels accompanied by phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3). The increase in glycogen deposition induced by UA (mediated by GSK3) could have contributed to the lower plasma glucose levels observed. Both compounds significantly lowered total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, and, in addition, UA increased plasma high-density lipoprotein levels. Our results show that UA particularly may be useful in preventable strategies for people at risk of developing diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications by improving plasma glucose levels and lipid profile, as well as by promoting liver glycogen deposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Hypoglycemic effect and chlorogenic acid content in two Cecropia species

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2005
Pilar Nicasio
Abstract The hypoglycemic effect of methanol leaf extracts from Cecropia obtusifolia and C. peltata was evaluated in healthy mice. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in plasma glucose levels was recorded 2 and 4 h after a single oral administration of methanol extracts (1 g/kg). This effect was correlated with the chlorogenic acid contents in both species; C. peltata, containing 19.84 ± 1.64 mg of chlorogenic acid/g of dried leaves produced the highest decrease (D, 2,60 = 20.18, p < 0.05) of plasma glucose levels (52.8%). The extracts of C. obtusifolia from Tabasco and Veracruz, showed similar hypoglycemic effects (33.3% and 35.7%, respectively) and chlorogenic acid contents (Tukey0.05 = 1.8859) (13.3 ± 3.2 mg/g and 13.1 ± 1.6 mg/g, respectively). The hypoglycemic effect produced by different doses (0.1, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1 g/kg body wt, p.o.) of C. peltata showed a lineal relationship with chlorogenic acid content, reaching an ED50 = 0.540 g/kg body wt for extract, and an ED50 = 10.8 mg/kg body wt for chlorogenic acid. These results suggest that C. peltata is a better hypoglycemic agent than C. obtusifolia, and it could be considered for developing a phytomedicinal product to carry out clinical trials. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Long-term Administration of Rapamycin Reduces Adiposity, but Impairs Glucose Tolerance in High-Fat Diet-fed KK/HlJ Mice

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Geng-Ruei Chang
In this study, we investigated the metabolic effects of rapamycin in an obese animal model, KK/HlJ mice. Mice were treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin at 2 mg/kg or vehicle for 42 days on a high-fat diet. Treated mice lost body weight and adiposity, reduced weight gain and retroperitoneal and epididymal fat pads/body weight, decreased serum leptin and plasma triglyceride levels and had lower liver fat concentration. However, treated mice had higher serum insulin levels and food intake. Dissection of rapamycin-treated mice revealed a marked reduction in fatty liver scores and fat cell size in retroperitoneal and epididymal adipocytes. Moreover, Western blot analysis revealed that rapamycin treatment resulted in decreasing adipophilin expression, as a marker of lipid accumulation, and reducing phosphorylation of mTOR downstream targets S6K1 compared to control group. Unfortunately, rapamycin-treated animals showed a marked decline in glucose tolerance as judged by the 180-min. area under the curve for plasma glucose levels, paralleled by increased generation of plasma reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that continual rapamycin administration may help to prevent diet-induced obesity, while prolonged use of rapamycin may exacerbate glucose intolerance. [source]


NAADP on the up in pancreatic beta cells,a sweet message?

BIOESSAYS, Issue 5 2003
Sandip Patel
Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin in response to elevated plasma glucose levels in a Ca2+ -dependent fashion. Released insulin may act on the beta cell itself to promote further insulin synthesis and release. Recent studies by Johnson and Misler,1 Masgrau et al.2 and Mitchell et al.3 provide strong evidence (1) for the existence of intracellular Ca2+ stores sensitive to NAADP, a potent Ca2+ -mobilizing messenger, and (2) that these Ca2+ stores are involved in both glucose- and insulin-mediated signal transduction. NAADP may therefore play an important role in controling secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. BioEssays 25:430,433, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


The effects of dietary flaxseed on the Fischer 344 rat.

CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 6 2005

Abstract The hepatotoxic effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administered by gavage at 0.25,ml CCl4 (1:1 in olive oil) per 100,g body weight was examined 24,h later in regular chow fed (RC) and 10% flax chow fed (FC) male and female Fischer 344 rats. CCl4 -treated RC rats were subdued, lethargic and unkempt. CCl4 -treated FC rats were much less affected. CCl4 treatment resulted in loss of weight in RC and FC rats. In males, the weight loss was 6.7% body mass in RC rats compared to 5.6% body mass in FC rats. In females, the weight loss was 7.5% body mass in both RC and FC rats. While CCl4 treatment increased the level of the liver injury marker plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in RC rats, this CCl4 effect was significantly attenuated in FC rats. In male rats, the ALT increase was 435-fold in RC rats and 119-fold in FC rats, over that of their respective controls. In female rats, the ALT increase was 454-fold in RC rats and 381-fold in FC rats, over that of their respective controls. These results provide evidence that flax consumption protects the liver against injury and that the extent of the protection is sex dependent. CCl4 had no effect on the plasma level of ,-glutamyltranspeptidase (,GT) in RC and FC rats supporting the contention that plasma ,GT is not a useful marker for acute liver injury which is seen in this model. The activity of ,GT was increased in the livers of FC rats compared to RC rats: 2.7-fold in males and 1.5-fold in females. In RC rats, the activity of liver ,GT was decreased by CCl4 treatment: 70% in the male and 25% in the female. However, this CCl4 effect was reversed or abolished by flax consumption. Compared to RC rats: in male FC rats, CCl4 actually increased the activity of liver ,GT 1.28-fold; while in female FC rats, the depressing effect of CCl4 treatment was abolished. The flax-induced preservation of ,GT in the liver in response to injury may be involved in the observed hepatoprotection through generation of GSH. In RC male rats, CCl4 treatment effected a 25% reduction in plasma glucose levels. There was no decrease in CCl4 -treated FC male rats. In female rats, CCl4 treatment effected a 21% decrease in plasma glucose levels in both RC and FC rats. In conclusion, multiple parameters for acute CCl4 -induced injury were attenuated in the FC compared to the RC rat. That flaxseed consumption conferred greater protection against liver injury in the male than in the female suggests an involvement of the estrogenic lignan component of flaxseed. We discuss the possibility that this hepatoprotection is through a flax lignan-induced increase in reduced glutathione related to a flax effect on the activity of liver ,GT in the resting state and the maintenance of its activity in response to injury. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


EFFECTS OF AGAR AND PECTIN ON GASTRIC EMPTYING AND POST-PRANDIAL GLYCAEMIC PROFILES IN HEALTHY HUMAN VOLUNTEERS

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2007
Masaki Sanaka
SUMMARY 1Dietary fibre, such as pectin, delays gastric emptying and may enhance post-prandial glucose tolerance. Agar, which is high in fibre content, is widely used in the traditional Japanese diet. Although long-term diet therapy with agar decreases fasting plasma glucose levels in diabetes, knowledge is lacking about the acute effects of agar on gastric emptying and the post-prandial glycaemic profiles. The present study was designed to investigate the acute effects of agar. 2Ten healthy male volunteers were studied on three occasions with three different test meals (450 kcal/500 mL): (i) a fibre-free meal; (ii) a meal with 2.0 g agar; or (iii) a meal with 5.2 g pectin. On each occasion, participants underwent a [13C]-acetate breath test along with serial blood sampling. To quantify gastric emptying, the half [13CO2] excretion time () and the time for maximal [13CO2] excretion rate (tlag) were determined. The post-prandial glycaemic response was expressed as an incremental change from the fasting value at each sampling time. Data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (anova), followed by a post hoc paired Student's t -test with Bonferroni adjustment. 3The time-course for respiratory [13CO2] excretion differed significantly among the three test meals (P = 0.0004, anova). Compared with the control meal, [13CO2] excretion was significantly lower following consumption of the agar meal (between 40 and 105 min post-prandially; P < 0.025, Student's t -test) and the pectin meal (between 40 and 180 min post-prandially; P < 0.025, Student's t -test). Among the three meals, significant differences were found in (P = 0.002, anova) and tlag (P = 0.011, anova). Compared with the control meal, the agar and pectin meals exhibited a significantly prolonged (P = 0.007 and P < 0.0001, respectively, Student's t -test) and tlag (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively, Student's t -test). Neither the agar nor pectin meal affected the post-prandial glucose profile. 4In healthy adults, agar and pectin delay gastric emptying but have no impact on the post-prandial glucose response. [source]


EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL MAGNESIUM ON PLASMA GLUCOSE AND PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE AORTA AND PANCREAS OF DIABETIC RATS

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
Nepton Soltani
SUMMARY 1.,Magnesium deficiency has recently been proposed as a novel factor implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between oral Mg supplementation and changes in plasma glucose, calcium, haemogolobin, Ca/Mg ratio, blood pressure and the histology of the pancreas and vascular system in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 2.,Ten days after the induction of diabetes in male Wistar rats, half the diabetic animals were divided into six groups, receiving 0, 1, 3, 10, 30 or 50 g/L MgSO4 added into the drinking water for 8 weeks. Plasma glucose and Mg were measured at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 to find the optimum dose of Mg and the time-course of its effect. In addition, histological observations were undertaken. Eight weeks later, all animals were decapitated, the pancreas and thoracic aorta were removed carefully and immersed immediately in 10% formaldehyde for histological study. 3.,To evaluate the effects of Mg on plasma glucose, calcium, haemoglobin, Mg and blood pressure, another group of animals was divided into four experimental groups, as follows: (i) non-diabetic controls received tap water for 8 weeks; (ii) acute diabetics received tap water for 10 days; (iii) chronic diabetic controls received tap water for 8 weeks; and (iv) Mg-treated chronic diabetic rats received 10 g/L MgSO4 added into the drinking water 10 days after the induction of diabetes for 8 weeks. 4.,Magnesium dose dependently affects plasma glucose levels. The peak effect was reached during the first 24 h following oral administration. Administration of 10 g/L MgSO4 results in the return of normal structure in the diabetic pancreas and aorta. Moreover, this concentration of MgSO4 causes glucose, haemoglobin, calcium, the Ca/Mg ratio and blood pressure to reach normal levels. Although the Mg level increases slightly following the administration of 10 g/L MgSO4 to diabetic rats, it never reaches control levels. 5.,On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be concluded that chronic Mg administration may have beneficial effects on diabetes. [source]


The circulating IGF system and its relationship with 24-h glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
Jan Frystyk
Summary objective and design It has been suggested that circulating free IGF-I participates in glucose homeostasis and that IGFBP-1 reflects changes in insulin sensitivity. To study this further, we examined 10 healthy, nonobese subjects under standardized conditions for 24 h with and without an intravenous infusion of glucose, the latter in order to augment insulin sensitivity. Serum was collected every 2 h for analysis of free and total IGFs, IGFBP-1, , 2 and , 3 and the acid labile subunit (ALS). Insulin sensitivity was estimated at the end of each 24-h study period by use of the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp technique. results Glucose infusion resulted in mild hyperglycaemia (P < 0·0001), a reduction in IGFBP-1 by approximately 40% (P < 0·0003), and increased insulin and C-peptide levels (P < 0·0001). Glucose infusion also increased insulin sensitivity (P < 0·003). However, despite the reduction in IGFBP-1, glucose infusion did not increase free IGF-I over the control level, and free IGF-II was slightly reduced (P < 0·02). Irrespective of glucose infusion, free IGF-I and -II remained stable during daytime (i.e. they were unresponsive to meal-related changes in plasma glucose), but both free fractions decreased during the night, reaching nadir at 04·00 h. None of the other members of the IGF system showed any relationship with plasma glucose levels. Finally, we failed to observe any relationship between changes in insulin sensitivity and the circulating IGF system. conclusion We found no evidence that the circulating IGF system is involved in meal-related blood glucose regulation or that it reflects short-term changes in insulin sensitivity in healthy, nonobese subjects. However, we cannot preclude that the observed changes in circulating IGFBP-1 may affect the glucose-lowering effect of IGF-I and -II at the local tissue level. [source]