0000000000149686
AUTHOR
Bompiani Gd
The pancreatic beta-cell response to intravenous administration of glucose in elderly subjects.
A study was made of the serum insulin level after the intravenous administration of glucose (0.33 gm/ kg) in two groups of normal subjects—18 in the 60–85 age bracket, and 16 in the 23–45 age bracket. All had a normal coefficient of glucose utilization and a normal blood glucose curve after intravenous administration of glucose. Serum insulin was assayed by the radio-immunological method, with use of an ion exchange resin. Blood samples were drawn at 2, 5, 10, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the end of the glucose infusion. In the elderly subjects the maximal value was reached only after 5 minutes and the mean value was 39± 9 µU/ml (range, 27–50), whereas in the younger subjects the serum insul…
Cross-reactivity of anti-ssDNA antibodies with heparan sulfate in patients with type I diabetes mellitus
Anti-single-stranded–DNA antibodies cross-reactive with heparan sulfate were detected in serums of patients with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The results suggested that heparan sulfate, the major glycosaminoglycan constituent of the glomerular basement membrane, may serve as a target antigen in vivo for cross-reactive anti-DNA antibodies. These polyreactive antibodies, directed toward repeating negatively charged units, may neutralize the heparan sulfate–associated polyanionic sites in the glomerulus, leading to an abnormal permeability of anionic plasma proteins.
Circulating immune complexes and platelet thromboxane synthesis in patients with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus
Platelets from diabetic subjects with circulating immune complexes (CIC) synthesized greater amounts of thromboxane than did platelets from CIC-negative patients or controls. In view of the known action of CIC on platelet function, a relationship between these two factors may be suggested in the initiation and progression of microangiopathy in diabetes.
Serum levels of type III procollagen peptide in diabetes mellitus.
Serum levels of type III procollagen peptide (P-III-P) were investigated in 19 patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) and in 48 (25 orally treated, 23 insulinized) patients with type 2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Among patients with type 2 diabetes, 16 orally treated and 14 insulin-treated subjects had macrovascular complications. P-III-P levels were not correlated with the duration of diabetes and with glucose control, nor were there any significant sex and age differences in the levels. P-III-P values were significantly higher in the sera of insulin-treated non insulin-dependent diabetic patients with macroangiopathy. These high values (18.5 +/- 10.8 ng/ml) were in contra…
The Terminal Complement Complex (TCC) in the Plasma of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Relationship with Albumin Excretion Rate
Increased TCC levels were found to be present in the plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes associated with the presence of anti-heparan sulfate antibodies and increased urinary excretion of albumin. The authors suggest a role of terminal complement activation in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.