Effect of exercise and diet on triglyceride metabolism in rats with moderate insulin deficiency

The ability of exercise and diet to modify the effects of moderate streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency on triglyceride metabolism has been studied in the rat. Insulin-deficient rats allowed to run spontaneously in exercise wheel cages had significantly lower (P less than 0.001) plasma glucose levels (187 +/- 19 mg/dl) than either sedentary (374 +/- 24 mg/dl) or sucrose-fed (450 +/- 13 mg/dl) diabetic rats, despite the fact that plasma insulin levels were comparable in all these groups. Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels in exercise-trained rats with diabetes (51 +/- 5 mg/dl) were actually lower than in control rats with normal glucose tolerance (90 +/- 14 mg/dl). In contrast, plasma TG levels were higher than control levels in diabetic sedentary rats (128 +/- 11 mg/dl), and severe hypertriglyceridemia developed in sucrose-fed diabetic rats (369 +/- 35 mg/dl). The ability of exercise training to attenuate diabetic hypertriglyceridemia, which was observed in both chow-fed and sucrose-fed rats, was secondary to a decrease in TG secretion, and appeared to be related to lower plasma FFA concentrations. In contrast, the accentuation of diabetic hypertriglyceridemia seen in sucrose-fed rats was related to a defect in TG catabolism. Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities were essentially identical in all diabetic rats, suggesting that the observed difference in TG kinetics could not be attributed to concomitant increases or decreases in adipose tissue LPL activity. These results emphasize the powerful impact of exercise and diet on TG metabolism in rats with moderate degrees of insulin deficiency.

Benign ulceration of the cecum presenting with massive hemorrhage: report of a case and review of the literature

Massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to benign cecal ulceration is a rare occurrence. The diagnosis of bleeding from this benign condition is rarely entertained and is often a finding on a pathologic examination. A case of massive hemorrhage from a cecal ulcer is presented, and the literature is reviewed. The role of angiographic demonstration of the lesion, if angiography is readily available, is emphasized, but surgery is the definitive therapy.

Effect of exercise-training on the metabolic manifestations of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the rat

Streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency of a moderate degree was produced in exercise-trained and sedentary young rats, and determinations made of subsequent changes in plasma glucose, triglyceride, and insulin concentrations. Exercise-training attenuated the rise in both plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations associated with insulin deficiency. Plasma insulin levels were, if anything, lower in exercise-trained rats. Thus, the beneficial effects of exercise-training on plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations could not be due to the preservation of endogenous insulin secretion, and appear to be secondary to enhanced insulin sensitivity.

Markedly raised synovial fluid leucocyte counts not associated with infectious arthritis in children

Synovial fluid leucocyte counts greater than 50 000 cells/mm3 (50 X 10(9)/1) are usually associated with infectious arthritis. Six children, 3 of whom meet the criteria for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), are described with synovial fluid white blood cell counts greater than 88 000 cells/mm3 (88 X 10(9)/1). Two had synovial fluid leucocyte counts greater than 100 000 cells/mm3 (100 X 10(9)/1). The diagnosis of infectious arthritis was unlikely in these 6 children since the synovial fluid smears and cultures for infectious agents were negative and their histories atypical for infection. While in most instances such markedly raised synovial fluid leucocyte counts indicate infection, this finding is not diagnostic of septic arthritis.