[Current aspects of diagnosis and therapy of diabetes mellitus]

Additions to the categorisation of the forms of diabetes, new knowledge about genetic facts and facts of immunology concerning heredity, etiology and pathogeny of the diabetes are very important for the innovations as well as the utilization of screenings for type I an type II diabetes. As for the laboratory examinations, the proof of the glucose fixed to the hemoglobin or to the albumin of the plasma has become important. The importance of the intensified insulin therapy with the technical support of pumps or injection facilities is emphasized with reference to the hyperinsulinism as one risk. The therapies with immune suppressive, with inhibitors of glucosidase and aldose-reductase and with the transplantation of pancreas or Langerhans' cells promise enormous improvements in the course of diabetes.

Effects of dietary fiber and carbohydrate on glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in diabetic patients

Dietary recommendations for the treatment of diabetic patients issued by national and international diabetes associations consistently emphasize the need to increase carbohydrate consumption. However, these recommendations have been questioned on the basis of growing evidence that, in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients, a high-carbohydrate diet does not offer any advantage in terms of blood glucose and plasma lipid concentrations compared with a high-fat (mainly unsaturated) diet. It has been shown repeatedly that a high-carbohydrate diet increases plasma insulin and triglyceride levels and can deteriorate blood glucose control in the postprandial period. However, much of the controversy between advocates and detractors of dietary carbohydrate can be settled by taking into account dietary fiber. Several studies have shown that the adverse metabolic effects of high-carbohydrate diets are neutralized when fiber and carbohydrate are increased simultaneously in the diet for diabetic patients. In particular, these studies demonstrated that a high-carbohydrate/high-fiber diet significantly improves blood glucose control and reduces plasma cholesterol levels in diabetic patients compared with a low-carbohydrate/low-fiber diet. In addition, a high-carbohydrate/high-fiber diet does not increase plasma insulin and triglyceride concentrations, despite the higher consumption of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, dietary fiber represents a heterogenous category, and there is still much to understand as to which foods should be preferred to maximize the metabolic effects of fiber. There are indications that only water-soluble fiber is active on plasma glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in humans. Therefore, in practice, the consumption of legumes, vegetables, and fruits--rich in water-soluble fiber--should be particularly encouraged. The mechanisms by which dietary fiber exerts its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities are unknown. However, the ability of dietary fiber to retard food digestion and nutrient absorption certainly has an important influence on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The beneficial effects of high-fiber foods are also exerted by some foods not particularly rich in fiber. The fiber content and physical form of the food can influence the accessibility of nutrients by digestive enzymes, thus delaying digestion and absorption. The identification of these foods with a low-glycemic response would help enlarge the list of foods particularly suitable for diabetic patients. In conclusion, a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat should be recommended to all diabetic patients to prevent cardiovascular disease. A balanced increase in consumption of fiber-rich foods and unsaturated fat is the most rational way to replace foods rich in saturated fat and cholesterol in the diabetic diet.

Post-prandial glycaemic reduction by an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in type 2 diabetic patients with therapeutically attained basal normoglycaemia

Post-prandial glucose excursions remain elevated in most patients with diabetes even when normal fasting plasma glucose levels have been achieved. In 39 patients with type 2 diabetes who had attained basal normoglycaemia by therapy with diet alone, a sulphonylurea, a basal insulin supplement or basal plus prandial insulin the mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1) values were at the upper end (mean +/- 1SD, 8.1 +/- 1.1%) of the normal range (5.0-8.2%). Miglitol, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, given in a dose of 50 mg three times a day was studied in a double blind randomized crossover study. In diet and sulphonylurea treated patients, a mean 25% reduction of the post-prandial plasma glucose excursions was obtained whereas in ultralente treated patients miglitol appeared to reduce basal plasma glucose levels (p < 0.006). Side effects were limited to minor gastrointestinal disturbances, usually ameliorating after the first week of therapy. Alpha-glucosidase inhibition to prevent post-prandial glycaemia may have a role in patients in whom sulphonylurea or diet therapy has been used to obtain normal basal glucose concentrations.

Calorie restriction for treatment of gestational diabetes

Birth weights of infants of 35 gestational diabetic mothers treated with calorie restriction alone (1200-1800 kcal) were compared with those of infants of 2337 nondiabetic women, including two control groups (A and B) matched for race, body mass index, age, and parity. All women were screened for gestational diabetes with the O'Sullivan screening method, and a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test was performed on all abnormal results. Control group A mothers had a normal screen, and control group B mothers had an abnormal screen with a normal glucose tolerance test. Pregnancy weight gain was significantly less for the gestational diabetic mothers (mean +/- SD 4.6 +/- 4.9 kg) than for the general prenatal population (9.3 +/- 5.3 kg), group A control subjects (9.7 +/- 5.3 kg), and group B control subjects (9.7 +/- 5.4 kg; P less than 0.0005). No infant of a gestational diabetic mother was below the 10th percentile for weight, and birth weights were similar to those of the control groups even though weight gain after the 28th wk of gestation was only 1.7 +/- 1.6 kg. The frequency of macrosomia (birth weight greater than or equal to 4000 g) was similar among the gestational diabetic mothers (9.3%), the general prenatal population (7.4%), and group A mothers (11.6%) but significantly higher for the group B control subjects (20.9%; chi 2 = 8.57, P less than 0.005). This study demonstrated that gestational diabetic mothers who are calorie restricted have infants with normal birth weights and a frequency of macrosomia less than that of screen-positive nondiabetic women with similar macrosomic risk factors.

Predominantly vegetarian diet in patients with incipient and early clinical diabetic nephropathy: effects on albumin excretion rate and nutritional status

Several studies have suggested that dietary protein quality may be an important determinant in the natural history of renal disease. We have therefore studied the effects of a predominantly vegetarian diet in eight patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and an albumin excretion rate (AER) in excess of 30 micrograms min-1. The AER was measured after an 8-week run-in period on the patient's usual diet, and again after 8 weeks of a predominantly vegetarian diet in which the proportion of vegetable protein was supplemented in order to minimize the reduction in total dietary protein intake. The median fractional albumin clearance fell during the study from an initial value of 188 x 10(-+) (range 58-810 x 10(-4)) at the end of the run-in period to 87 x 10(-4) (23-829 x 10(-4)) at the end of the period on low animal protein diet (difference 79 x 10(-4) (95% Cl 9-149 x 10(-4)), p less than 0.05). The AER then returned to values similar to those obtained at the beginning of the study after a further 8 weeks in those patients returning to their usual diet. No significant changes in blood glucose control or in arterial pressure were observed. A predominantly vegetarian diet may therefore have important beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy without the need for a heavily restricted total protein intake.

Exercise in gestational diabetes. An optional therapeutic approach?

Forty-one patients with gestational diabetes requiring insulin were enrolled in a randomized study to investigate the efficacy of an exercise program in normalizing glucose tolerance. Seventeen of 21 patients completed the exercise program while maintaining normoglycemia and obviating insulin therapy. Maternal and neonatal complications did not differ between the study and control groups. The type of program described appears to be safe and can serve as a model for exercise prescription for pregnant diabetic women to attain improved glucose tolerance.

Dietary fiber--an overview

Diabetes diets should aim at ensuring an ideal body weight with normoglycemia and normolipidemia. The consensus recommendations of various diabetes associations suggest that these goals are most likely to be achieved by diets high in complex carbohydrates and fiber and low in fat. A typical diabetes diet containing 55-60% energy as carbohydrate (at least 66% complex), less than 30% energy as fat, 0.8 g.kg-1 desirable body wt.day-1 protein, and approximately 40 g fiber/day, improves glycemic control, reduces levels of serum atherogenic lipids, decreases blood pressure in those with hypertension, and reduces body weight in the obese. This diet also reduces insulin requirements in the insulin-treated patient and can promote discontinuation of insulin therapy in those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This article presents our experience with high-fiber high-carbohydrate diets and reviews knowledge on the likely mechanisms of action of fiber, its long-term effectiveness, and the concerns about its long-term safety. We suggest that reports on the risk of hypertriglyceridemia from on the risk of hypertriglyceridemia from high-carbohydrate diets are inconsistent and invalidated if those diets are also high in fiber content. Similarly, we urge some caution in prescribing high-monounsaturated fat diets as an alternative to high-carbohydrate diets, at least until the long-term implications of the former are clearer. We believe that there is no compelling reason to change the current diabetes diets, which should continue to be high in carbohydrate and fiber content.

Percentage of carbohydrate and glycemic response to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in women with gestational diabetes

We studied the relationship between 1-h glucose response and the percentage of carbohydrates in a given meal in 14 gestational diabetic women who did not require insulin therapy and were between 32 and 36 wk gestation. Each subject was greater than 130% ideal body weight and was placed on a diet of 24 kcal.kg-1.24 h-1, with 12.5% of calories at breakfast and 28% of the calories at lunch and again at dinner, with other calorie intake divided among three snacks. Glycemic response was monitored by self-monitoring of blood glucose 1 h after the start of each meal. Ten postprandial values for each meal were averaged for each of the 14 women. The correlation between percentage of carbohydrates and postprandial glucose level at 1 h was strongest for dinner (r = 0.95, P less than 0.001), with more variability seen at breakfast (r = 0.75, P = 0.002) and lunch (r = 0.86, P = 0.001). To maintain a 1-h postprandial whole-blood glucose level less than 7.78 mM required the following percentages of carbohydrates in each meal: 45% at breakfast, 55% at lunch, and 50% at dinner. If 1-h postprandial whole-blood glucose level was to remain less than 6.67 mM, then the respective values were 33, 45, and 40%. We conclude that the glycemic response to a mixed meal in subjects with gestational diabetes is highly correlated with the percentage of carbohydrates of the ingested meal and varies among individuals and among breakfast, lunch, and dinner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevention of type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus by diet and physical exercise. The 6-year Malmö feasibility study

From a previously reported 5-year screening programme of 6,956 47-49-year-old Malmö males, a series of 41 subjects with early-stage Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and 181 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance were selected for prospective study and to test the feasibility aspect of long-term intervention with an emphasis on life-style changes. A 5-year protocol, including an initial 6-months (randomised) pilot study, consisting of dietary treatment and/or increase of physical activity or training with annual check-ups, was completed by 90% of subjects. Body weight was reduced by 2.3-3.7% among participants, whereas values increased by 0.5-1.7% in non-intervened subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and in normal control subjects (p less than 0.0001); maximal oxygen uptake (ml.min-1.kg-1) was increased by 10-14% vs decreased by 5-9%, respectively (p less than 0.0001). Glucose tolerance was normalized in greater than 50% of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, the accumulated incidence of diabetes was 10.6%, and more than 50% of the diabetic patients were in remission after a mean follow-up of 6 years. Blood pressure, lipids, and hyperinsulinaemia were reduced and early insulin responsiveness to glucose loading preserved. Improvement in glucose tolerance was correlated to weight reduction (r = 0.19, p less than 0.02) and increased fitness (r = 0.22, p less than 0.02). Treatment was safe, and mortality was low (in fact 33% lower than in the remainder of the cohort).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Understanding the use of the exchange lists for meal planning in diabetes management

The Exchange Lists for Meal Planning has been in existence since 1950 and was updated in 1976 and 1986. The lists were designed to provide a universal system for the nutrition management of diabetes mellitus. The current edition emphasizes a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet and is widely used by persons with diabetes and by diabetes educators. To use the exchange lists, the educator must understand how to develop a meal plan. The meal plan serves as the tool to help patients select appropriate foods and amounts. The necessary steps for establishing the meal plan are outlined, and a suggested sequence for educating persons with diabetes in the use of the lists is presented.

Siblings of children with diabetes: involvement, understanding and adaptation

The psychosocial adjustment of 30 siblings (aged 8-18 years) of children with diabetes mellitus was studied. Although most were younger than the diabetic child, 55% were closely involved in the dietary management and insulin treatment of the diabetes, yet many had only a limited understanding of the disease. Most were well-adjusted. However, low levels of self-esteem were apparent among some subjects, who did not fee free to question their parents about diabetes (30%), who identified themselves as the member of the family most likely to receive blame (33%), and who reported spending more time at home with their families than their peers (40%). Nine children (30%) worried about becoming ill themselves. None believed that having a child with diabetes in the family had impaired relationships in the home. Six siblings (20%) also described some positive effects of the illness, particularly enhanced family closeness.

Euglycemic control of gestational diabetes mellitus by specific dietary manipulation: a case study presentation

Gestational diabetes is the most common complication of pregnancy. If maternal hyperglycemia is not well controlled, excess glucose is transmitted to the fetus, which can lead to fetal macrosomia and maternal and fetal complications. Dietary treatment for gestational diabetes varies among practitioners. A case review is presented of a 32-year-old white woman with gestational diabetes whose condition was complicated by her blood glucose intolerance to lactose in milk. By following a carefully monitored regimen using specific dietary manipulation to maintain normoglycemia, the woman was able to deliver a normal, healthy baby by spontaneous vaginal delivery.

[Treatment of type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes and the metabolic syndrome with diet]

Insulin resistance appears as the pathophysiological basis of metabolic syndrome and NIDDM. In type 2 diabetics additionally we observe a delayed and prolonged postprandial insulin response. These both processes represent a pathophysiological and pathogenetic unity of disturbances. The prevention and therapy of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2-diabetes with diet involves 3 main issues: reduction of energy uptake and of body weight in obese; Composition of meals concerning the principles of fat reduced lactovegetabile nutrition; guaranteeing of longer postabsorptive phases (between meals), to avoid a permanent postprandial hyperinsulinemia and development of insulin resistance. Anti-insulin resistance diet is therefore a carbohydrate enriched, fat-reduced (lactovegetabile) nutrition with not too frequent meals (longer meal-free phases) and mainly reduced energy intake in overweight.

Glycemic response to sucrose-containing mixed meals in diets of children of with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Our pilot study compared the short-term glycemic effects of a traditional "sucrose free" diet (Suc-Free, 2% total calories from sucrose) to a sucrose-containing diet (Suc-Con, 10% total calories from sucrose) in a clinical research center. Both weighed diets were isocaloric and included 50% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 20% protein in three meals and three snacks; glucose, fructose, and dietary fiber were identical. Sucrose isocalorically replaced complex carbohydrate at each meal and for the afternoon snack. Ten children (7 to 12 years of age; mean total hemoglobin A1 level 8.9 +/- 0.3%) were randomly assigned, in a crossover design, to one of the two orders (Suc-Free followed by Suc-Con or Suc-Con followed by Suc-Free) for consecutive 2-day diet periods; insulin doses remained constant. Preprandial and postprandial blood glucose levels were measured for each meal and snack (18 measurements per day). To account for baseline differences, we calculated the change in blood glucose levels from baseline to 30 minutes and 1 hour for each meal and snack (mean +/- SEM). No differences were detected between diets. Total area under the glucose response curve (levels measured hourly from 8 AM to 9:30 PM in milligrams per deciliter) was not significantly different for the two diets (Suc-Free 3672 +/- 240; Suc-Con 3574 +/- 285; p = 0.74). No difference in 24-hour urinary glucose levels (measured in grams per day) was detected between the two diets (Suc-Free 35.6 +/- 7.5; Suc-Con 34.5 +/- 7.5; p = 0.84). Incidences of hyperglycemia that required supplemental short-acting insulin and of mild hypoglycemia were similar for both diet periods. Thus, in a controlled setting and during a short study period, children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a similar glycemic response to diets with and without a moderate amount of sucrose.

[Delayed absorption of carbohydrates in the therapy of Type II diabetes: comparison between dietary (Muesli) and pharmacological (Alpha-glucosidase inhibition) modification]

Slowly resorbable carbohydrates are preferred in the dietetic therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study we compared the efficacy of a "müsli" with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor miglitol in delaying the resorption of carbohydrates. 24 patients with NIDDM took, in randomized order, four different breakfasts with equal amounts of carbohydrate: a standard breakfast with bread and marmelade, a müsli, and both breakfasts with 100 mg miglitol. We calculated the maximal blood glucose concentration, the postprandial difference, the time of the maximum and the area under the curve (AUC). The postprandial blood glucose increase after the müsli breakfast was significantly lower compared with the standard breakfast (maximal blood glucose 12.3 vs. 13.9 mmol/l, postprandial difference 3.6 vs. 5.1 mml/l, AUC 360 vs, 468 mmol/l x min). The blood glucose increase after the standard breakfast with miglitol was even lower (maximum 11.6 mmol/l, postprandial difference 2.9 mmol/l, AUC 241 mmol/l x min). Miglitol also lowered the blood glucose values after the müsli breakfast. This study shows that the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor miglitol in a dose of 100 mg is more effective in lowering the postprandial blood glucose increase than a müsli. In cases of non-acceptance of a modern diet with slowly resorbable carbohydrates, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may be a therapeutic alternative.

Thromboxane production and platelet aggregation in type 2 diabetes mellitus without vascular complications

Diabetic individuals frequently have platelet hyperaggregability and increased thromboxane (TXB2) production. To evaluate whether improvement of metabolic control or changes in fatty acid composition of serum lipids might alter thromboxane (TXB2) formation and platelet function, we followed up 25 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics without angiopathy for about 6 months. Improvement of metabolic control (HbA1, fell from 12.0 +/- 0.3 to 9.0 +/- 0.3%; p less than 0.01) was associated with significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and ratios of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol. Palmitic acid of phospholipids decreased significantly, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid increased. Regardless of this, the ADP-induced platelet aggregability and sensitivity were not altered. There was no effect whatever on the TXB2 synthesis capacity of clotting whole blood (204.9 +/- 25.0 vs 222.8 +/- 32.0 ng/ml) over 6 months of treatment. Platelet aggregability and TXB2 formation were not correlated to the degree of metabolic control, nor were there any correlations to serum lipids and their fatty acid composition. Thus, we are tempted to speculate that glucose metabolism in diabetes itself does not affect platelet aggregation or TXB2 formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of metabolic effects of substitution of complex carbohydrates for saturated fat in individuals with obesity and NIDDM

Dietary recommendations for diabetic patients now generally include the reduction of total and saturated fat and an increase in complex carbohydrates. We conducted two series of studies on individuals with obesity and/or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) to assess the effects of this dietary recommendation on both lipoproteins and their metabolism as well as on insulin secretion and action and energy expenditure. Both series compared a diet high in saturated fat with a diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber. Calories and proportion of protein were constant. In the first set of studies, we sought to examine the effect of replacement of saturated fat with complex carbohydrate in a regimen with conventional foods that would closely approximate foods expected to be used and recommended to diabetic patients. In the second regimen, we examined a more extreme difference between carbohydrate content and fat content using a dietary change that would approximate the contrasts between traditional diets of Native Americans or other cultures and a modern westernized diet. The effects on lipoproteins included consistent decreases in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (av 10%), minimum to no change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insignificant changes in total or very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides or 24-h triglyceride profiles. Changes in total and LDL cholesterol required 3-4 wk to reach equilibrium. Metabolic studies used to elucidate the reasons for the decrease in LDL cholesterol confirmed no stimulation of VLDL triglyceride or apolipoprotein B (apoB) production on the high-carbohydrate diet. The decrease in LDL appeared to be due to decreases in mechanisms that convert VLDL to LDL and increased activity of LDL apoB clearance. There were no changes in fasting and 2- or 24-h glucose profiles or in fasting and 2-h insulin concentrations in individuals consuming a diet of 30% fat and 55% carbohydrate. However, in the study with traditional foods, where dietary carbohydrate was 70% and fat only 15%, there was an improvement in glucose tolerance. It was accompanied by an improvement in glucose-mediated glucose disposal and insulin secretion. Finally, with a whole-body calorimeter, we found no difference between the high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets in terms of 24-h energy expenditure. In individuals having a wide range of obesity and glucose tolerance, substitution of complex carbohydrates for saturated fat has beneficial effects of lowering LDL cholesterol and possibly improving glucose tolerance and insulin secretion but without having any adverse effects on lipoprotein metabolism or energy expenditure.

Blood ketone bodies in NIDDM: relationship with diabetic control and endogenous insulin secretion

To evaluate the relationship of blood ketone bodies with diabetic control and endogenous insulin secretion, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting serum C-peptide (CPR), blood total ketone-bodies (TKB), blood acetoacetate (AcAc) and blood 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) were compared in 78 outpatients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) treated with diet (n = 13), sulfonylurea (n = 52) and insulin (n = 13). TKB, AcAc and 3-OHB in patients treated with insulin were significantly higher than in patients treated with diet or sulfonylurea. In patients given diet therapy, log 3-OHB showed significant negative correlations with FPG, HbA1c and CPR. In patients treated with sulfonylurea, log 3-OHB showed significant positive correlations with FPG and HbA1c, but not with CPR. In patients treated with insulin, there were no correlations of log 3-OHB with FPG, HbA1c and CPR. For evaluation of the metabolic state in diabetes mellitus, measurement of blood ketone bodies is useful, and moreover necessary, in addition to diabetic control or determination of the endogenous insulin level.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in which glycemic control was improved during pregnancy but deteriorated after delivery with the occurrence of postpartum thyrotoxicosis: a case report

We report a patient, a twin, with diabetes mellitus whose hyperglycemic state fluctuated during the course of the pregnancy and the subsequent delivery. She was diagnosed as having slowly progressive IDDM because of her clinical course and the findings of serum positive ICA/CF, positive HLA-DR4 and disconcordance of diabetes mellitus with her identical twin. Insulin therapy was not initially needed in the first two years because the endogenous insulin secretion was not completely reduced. After two years of insulin therapy the patient became pregnant. Her glycemic control was remarkably improved without changes in dietary intake and insulin dosage. After delivery glycemic control deteriorated after delivery with the occurrence of postpartum thyroiditis. Urinary excretion of CPR was increased during pregnancy but decreased after delivery. ICA/CF in serum were persistently detected in the whole observation period. It seems that the improved glycemic control during pregnancy was caused by the reduction in the autoimmune reaction and the deterioration in glycemic control during the postpartum period was induced by the acceleration of the autoimmune reaction by the same mechanism of postpartum autoimmune thyroiditis.