Genetic marker in juvenile diabetic retinopathy

Thirty five patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were investigated for development of retinal microangiopathy by fluorescein angiography. HLA typing (A,B.C antigens) was done as a genetic marker. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of HLA antigens between patients without retinopathy (Gr.I) and with retinopathy (Gr.II) Frequency of various HLA antigens did not differ significantly in the mild and severe retinopathy groups or in comparison with controls. HLA B8 was significantly over represented in the patients of IDDM as a single group (GrI + II) when compared with controls (26% vs 8%). HLA profile was not a predictor of either the development or the severity of retinopathy in IDDM.

A mathematical model for insulin kinetics and its application to protein-deficient (malnutrition-related) diabetes mellitus (PDDM)

A nonlinear mathematical model which incorporates both beta-cell kinetics and a glucose-insulin feedback system is proposed for describing the time variations of plasma glucose and insulin levels. Numerical simulations show that this model is consistent with experimental observations on normal groups. An analysis of the changes in the solutions with variations in the parameters showed that a decrease in a single parameter gave results consistent with experimental findings in protein-deficient (malnutrition-related) diabetes mellitus (PDDM). The model predicts that it is the function and not the number of beta cells which is reduced in PDDM.

Growth hormone responses in isolated protein deficiency state in rhesus monkey

We have longitudinally studied the effects of protein-deficient diet on serum growth hormone (GH) concentration in rhesus monkey. A biphasic basal GH response and a phenomenon of failure to suppress GH levels after glucose administration were observed in animals fed diet lacking proteins. GH levels remained consistently elevated in protein-deprived monkeys. Whether these elevations in GH will have any deleterious influence on the host remains to be seen.

Alcohol abuse in a rural community in India. Part II: characteristics of alcohol users

This part of the study dealt with the analysis of the characteristics of alcohol users. About 50% of both male and female users were between 20 and 39 years of age; 8.1% of males and only 1.3% of females used alcohol daily or several times in a week. Desi (country) liquor was the beverage used by more than 85% of the users; 77.5% of males and 96.5% of females consumed less than one quarter of a bottle of alcohol, and 65.3% of males and 93.6% of females were taking alcohol at their houses only. The reasons given for drinking by the majority of users were 'for pleasure', 'for celebration of an event' and 'status symbol'. The quantity/frequency index analysis showed that the percentage of alcoholics was 4.2 and the remaining were social drinkers. Physical, economic and social problems were reported by a significantly higher percentage of alcoholics than social drinkers. The importance of consideration of these factors in formulating a strategy of social policy in the field of alcohol use is emphasised.

Alcohol abuse in a rural community in India. Part I: Epidemiological study

By systematic sampling of households after two stage proportionate random sampling of villages, a total of 4670 persons above 15 years of age were selected from the rural areas of Ajmer district in Rajasthan, India, to estimate the prevalence rate of alcohol abuse and to study its socio-demographic correlates (Part I) and the pattern and characteristics of use (Part II, submitted). The data on these aspects were collected through pre-tested questionnaires. The results showed that prevalence of alcohol abuse in the sample was 24.7% (36.1% for males and 13.4% for females) and the percentage of dependents was 3%. Relative risk of alcohol abuse in males was 3.64 with respect to females. Alcohol abuse was found to be significantly associated with religion (higher in Hindus with a relative risk of 8.65 in males and 5.21 in females), marital status (higher in married with a relative risk of 2.51 in males), age (higher in age group more than 20 years with a relative risk of 2.50 in males and 1.63 in females), family structure (higher in nuclear or joint families with a relative risk of 2.88 in males), educational status (higher in illiterates with a relative risk of 1.53 in males) and occupational status (higher in those engaged in agriculture with a relative risk of 1.43 in males and 1.80 in females). It was not significantly associated with per-capita income. These results have been compared with those in similar studies in the country and the possible reasons for differences, if any, have been discussed.

Drug development in India

The drug development process is complex. It takes about 5--7 years before a compound synthesised in the laboratory can be made available the general practitioner for therapeutic usage. Furthermore, only a few of the compounds developed and synthesised in the laboratory with possible hope of therapeutic application, satisfactorily pass through all the stages of development process. Complete development of a new drug may cost 10--15 million rupees and needs the technical expertise of the highest order. Obviously this calls for tremendous financial and human resources. It is, therefore, imperative that research investments are properly planned and wisely made. It should be a well coordinated team effort with deep considerations of economic management. Clinical pharmacology plays an essential and a meaningful role in this process and its interactions with the pharmaceutical industry should be such as to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety of new drugs.

Insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism in experimental protein malnutrition

In order to study the evolution of endocrine and metabolic changes in protein malnutrition, we created a replica of this human syndrome in a primate model. This model was free from stress factors like infestations, and infections and provided an opportunity to study the details more closely. Our results showed that definite endocrine and metabolic changes are established by six weeks of protein deprivation. The study demonstrated that protein deprivation results in decreased fasting blood glucose levels associated with diminution in fasting, and total insulin output when presented with a glucose load. There is also deterioration of carbohydrate tolerance. It is suggested that decreased fasting blood glucose is a consequence of impaired breakdown and/or depletion of glycogen stores, and hepatic dysfunction secondary to fatty infiltration. The exact cause of decrease in insulin output remains to be clearly elucidated. The carbohydrate intolerance is attributed to insulin lack, hepatic dysfunction and decreased glucose disposal consequent to protein deprivation.

Adrenocortical function in experimental protein malnutrition

Adrenocorticoid activity was investigated in experimentally induced protein malnutrition in Rhesus monkeys. Control studies were carried out in the same animals before inducing protein malnutrition. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated in the protein malnourished state. There was a total abolition of the diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion. Fasting hypoglycemia was also observed in the protein malnourished state. It is concluded that increased adrenocorticoid activity and sustained steroidogenesis result from protein deficiency. Hypoglycemia may be an important stimulus, in addition to the metabolic stress imposed by the protein deprivation. The recognition of increased adrenocorticoid activity is important in a protein-deficient host, since the defense against infections might be impaired in such a situation.

Application of wick chromatography to the radioimmunoassay of peptide hormones and other polypeptides

Wick chromatography has been used for assessment of iodination damage as well as for the separation of free from the antibody bound fraction of five polypeptides (insulin, A and B chains of insulin, glucagon and gastrin). The study shows that this technique should be destricted to basic polypeptides (insulin, B-chain of insulin and glucagon) and that the method cannot be applied to the radioimmunoassay of acidic polypeptides (gastrin and A-chain of insulin).