Deletion distal to the PAX6 coding region reveals a novel basis for familial cosegregation of aniridia and diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Analyze cosegregation of aniridia and diabetes to identify genetic criteria for detection and early treatment of diabetes-susceptible aniridia patients.

Methods: We assessed a two-generation family: three individuals with aniridia, two previously diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. One individual with aniridia, with unknown diabetes status, was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test.

Effects of dietary fat subtypes on glucose homeostasis during pregnancy in rats.

Background: Dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have an impact on insulin secretion and sensitivity but whether and how these may be related to maternal glucose homeostasis during pregnancy is unclear.

Methods: Female Wistar rats (240-250 g) were assigned to laboratory CHOW or high fat diets rich in either n-6 (safflower oil; n-6 group) or n-6 + n-3 (safflower oil + fish oil; n-3 group) PUFAs. After 10 days half of the animals in each diet group were inseminated and confirmed pregnant.

Effect of acute and chronic glucocorticoid therapy on insulin sensitivity and postprandial vascular function.

Objective: Postprandial hyperglycaemia is associated with increased arterial stiffness and cardiovascular events. Low-dose prednisolone causes insulin resistance that typically manifests as postprandial hyperglycaemia. We investigated whether prednisolone causes postprandial vascular dysfunction in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Segregation of a latent high adiposity phenotype in families with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus implicates rare obesity-susceptibility genetic variants with large effects in diabetes-related obesity.

Background: We recently reported significantly greater weight gain in non-diabetic healthy subjects with a 1(st) degree family history (FH+) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in a matched control group without such history (FH-) during voluntary overfeeding, implying co-inheritance of susceptibilities to T2DM and obesity. We have estimated the extent and mode of inheritance of susceptibility to increased adiposity in FH+.

Methods: Normoglycaemic participants were categorised either FH+ (≥1 1(st) degree relative with T2DM, 50 F/30 M, age 45 ± 14 (SD) yr) or FH- (71F/51M, age 43 ± 14 yr).

Effects of low-dose prednisolone on hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and abdominal adiposity in patients with inflammatory rheumatologic disease.

Objective: The metabolic effects of low-dose prednisolone and optimal management of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes are poorly characterized. The aims were to investigate the acute effects of low-dose prednisolone on carbohydrate metabolism and whether long-term low-dose prednisolone administration increases visceral adiposity, amplifying metabolic perturbations.

Research Design And Methods: Subjects with inflammatory rheumatologic disease without diabetes mellitus were recruited.

Chronic hepatitis C is associated with peripheral rather than hepatic insulin resistance.

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with insulin resistance (IR), liver steatosis (genotype 3), and increased diabetes risk. The site and mechanisms of IR are unclear.

Methods: We compared cross-sectionally 29 nonobese, normoglycemic males with CHC (genotypes 1 and 3) to 15 adiposity and age-matched controls using a 2-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with [6,6-(2)H(2)] glucose to assess insulin sensitivity in liver and peripheral tissues and (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate liver and intramyocellular lipid.

Obesity is an important determinant of baseline serum C-reactive protein concentration in monozygotic twins, independent of genetic influences.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) values predict atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Associations between CRP and obesity, predominantly assessed anthropometrically, may partly explain these observations. Previous studies have been unable to control for genetic influences on CRP and obesity.

Interactions between temperature and human leptin physiology in vivo and in vitro.

To investigate the possibility that environmental temperature may exert physiologically significant direct, local effects on subcutaneous adipose tissue temperatures, and its secretion of leptin, we exposed healthy males ( n=12) to repeated cold-water immersion (study 1), and also incubated surgically removed human subcutaneous adipose tissue samples ( n=7) at 27 degrees, 32 degrees and 37 degrees C (study 2). In vivo immersions were conducted over 15 days (60-90 min at 18 degrees C). Regional body temperatures and plasma leptin concentrations were measured before and during immersion.

The impact of usual dietary patterns, selection of significant foods and cuisine choices on changing dietary fat under 'free living' conditions.

Dietary guidelines for the general population and for the management of obesity, diabetes and heart disease suggest a reduction in dietary fat, and in particular dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA). In order to achieve the recommended levels, changes in food choice patterns are required. Foods are consumed in combination with other foods, and these combinations are often recognizable as cuisine patterns.

Moderate alcohol consumption, dietary fat composition, and abdominal obesity in women: evidence for gene-environment interaction.

We examined relationships among alcohol intake, dietary fat composition, and total body fat (TBF) and central abdominal fat (CAF), independent of genetic confounders, and evaluated the modulating effect of genetic susceptibility. We studied 334 female twins (57.7 +/- 6.

Moderate alcohol consumption, estrogen replacement therapy, and physical activity are associated with increased insulin sensitivity: is abdominal adiposity the mediator?

Objective: To investigate 1). associations between environmental factors (alcohol consumption, hormone replacement therapy [HRT], and physical activity) and insulin resistance and secretion, independent of genetic influences; 2). the contribution of abdominal adiposity to these relationships; and 3).

Physical activity reduces genetic susceptibility to increased central systolic pressure augmentation: a study of female twins.

Objectives: We sought to examine associations between the augmentation index (AI) and metabolic, adiposity, and lifestyle factors, independent of genetic influences, and to determine whether gene-environment interactions modulate these relationships.

Background: Reported associations between AI, an index of systemic arterial stiffness, and metabolic, adiposity, and lifestyle factors remain contradictory. The modulating effect of genetic risk is unknown.

Target-seeking behavior of plasma glucose with exercise in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the reproducibility of the plasma glucose (PG) response to exercise in subjects with type 1 diabetes on a nonintensive insulin regimen.

Research Design And Methods: Subjects cycled for 45 min at 50% VO(2max) on two occasions (studies 1 and 2) either 1 h after lunch and usual insulin (protocol A) or after overnight fasting without morning insulin (protocol B). Identical diet, activity, and insulin (twice daily neutral and intermediate) were maintained before and during each study day.