Postprandial glucose, insulin and glucagon responses to meals with different nutrient compositions in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Postprandial glycaemic and hormone responses to meals with different nutrient compositions and their heterogeneity were evaluated in 16 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 5 healthy volunteers. Five kinds of nutrient stimulation--75 g glucose, a Japanese mixed meal (400 kcal, carbohydrate 60%, protein 14%, fat 26%), a high protein meal (300 kcal, C 26%, P 64%, F 10%), a high fat meal (300 kcal, C 23%, P 5%, F 72%) and 20 g iv glucose--was given to each subject. On the average, in both normal and diabetic subjects, the increases in plasma glucose (PG) and insulin (IRI) were the largest with the oral glucose load and the smallest with the high protein meal. The ratio of increase in IRI and PG (sigma delta IRI/sigma delta PG) was the highest with the high protein meal and the lowest with the oral glucose load. sigma delta IRI with the high protein meal and the high fat meal were the same in normal and diabetic subjects. However, each of the 16 NIDDM patients and 5 normal volunteers exhibited a different pattern of response to the nutrient stimuli and no definite subgroup could be classified. There was no correlation between metabolic responses and family history of diabetes mellitus, duration of diabetes, body mass index and fasting plasma glucose. The present results suggest the nearly intact capacity of insulin secretion in NIDDM in response to a high protein or high fat meal and the difficulty of subclassification in NIDDM according to the glycaemic and hormone responses to the different nutrient stimuli.

Postprandial changes in plasma ketone body and carnitine levels in normal and non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects

We have examined changes in plasma ketone bodies and their related metabolites after the ingestion of a mixed meal in normal and NIDDM (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) using a highly sensitive colorimetric method. In normal subjects, fasting plasma acetoacetic acid (AcAc) and 3-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (3-OHB) concentrations were 40.2 +/- 2.9 and 21.3 +/- 4.0 microM, respectively. The total carnitine level in fasting plasma was 48.2 +/- 3.2 microM and acyl/free was 0.34 +/- 0.12. These values did not change significantly after the meal. In diabetic subjects, fasting AcAc and 3-OHB levels were 57.9 +/- 3.5 and 97.9 +/- 14.7 microM, respectively and these values especially 3-OHB, decreased almost to the normal level by 4 h after the meal. The total carnitine level in the fasting plasma of diabetics was 48.7 +/- 2.8 microM and acyl/free was 0.58 +/- 0.09. Such characteristics were observed when their plasma glucose had been completely normal for more than 10 days. In patients treated with sulfonylurea, the fasting ketone body level, especially 3-OHB, was significantly lower than that of diabetics treated with insulin or diet alone, whereas the fasting plasma glucose level and its postprandial increase were higher than those of the others. These results demonstrate that measurement of the plasma ketone body (especially 3-OHB) level is a sensitive tool for monitoring the metabolic status of NIDDM.

Chemical composition and immunobiological activities of sodium dodecyl sulphate extracts from the cell envelopes of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum

The chemical composition and immunobiological activities in vivo and in vitro of sodium dodecyl sulphate extracts (SDS-SE) derived from periodontopathic bacteria (three strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, two strains of Bacteroides gingivalis, and one strain of Fusobacterium nucleatum) were investigated. The main components of SDS-SE were protein and lipid, with negligible amounts of peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide. Immunopotentiating activity was detected in both delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody formation against the elicitation of a protein antigen with the SDS-SE preparations of A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29524 and B. gingivalis 381 and 1021. On the other hand the SDS-SE of A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29522 enhanced only the induction of a delayed-type hypersensitivity response. All the SDS-SE preparations had mitogenic activity to splenocytes from BALB/c nu/nu, C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. Migration-stimulating activity for human peripheral blood monocytes was detected especially in the SDS-SE preparations of A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29524 and Y4. All of the SDS-SE samples inhibited [3H]thymidine uptake in human gingival fibroblasts and caused degradation of the cells. The results suggest that the cell membrane components extractable with sodium dodecyl sulphate from periodontopathic bacteria are involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

CT appearance of experimental thalamic radiofrequency lesion in dog

The location and extent of thalamic lesions following thalamotomy can be identified as a large low density area in the acute stage to a small spot in the chronic stage. Stereotactic experimental radiofrequency lesions were placed in the thalamus of 35 mongrel dogs. CT images and whole brain specimens were obtained on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 60. The appropriate time to map the lesions in the thalamus was thought to be about day 14, because of the thalamic size ratio and the correction of the ventricular deformity. The histological area of the lesion at day 14 corresponded better to the contrast-enhanced area than to that of the plain CT. These results suggest that the lesion demonstrated by contrast-enhanced CT scans at day 14 gives the best anatomical mapping of the actual histological defect.

Decreased serum thyroglobulin levels in the late stage of pregnancy

Serum thyroglobulin levels were serially measured in 25 normal pregnant women to evaluate thyroidal activity during normal pregnancy. Measurements included serum T3, T4, free T4, TBG, and TSH. Tg and FT4 levels were found to be decreased in the third trimester when compared with those of the first trimester and with those of normal non-pregnant individuals (P less than 0.01). TSH levels were higher than normal in pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy, with a significant rise at the third trimester. These findings suggest the presence of a subclinical hypothyroid state in the late stage of normal pregnancy.