Effect of liraglutide on dietary lipid-induced insulin resistance in humans.

AIMS: To test whether liraglutide suppresses postprandial elevations in lipids and thus protects against high saturated fatty acid (SFA) diet-induced insulin resistance. METHODS: In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study, 32 participants with normal or mildly impaired glucose tolerance received liraglutide and placebo for 3 weeks each. Insulin suppression tests (IST) were conducted at baseline and after a 24-hour SFA-enriched diet after each treatment. Plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured over the initial 8 hours (breakfast and lunch) on the SFA diet. A subset of participants underwent ex vivo measurements of insulin-mediated vasodilation of adipose tissue arterioles and glucose metabolism regulatory proteins in skeletal muscle. RESULTS: Liraglutide reduced plasma glucose, triglycerides and NEFA concentrations during the SFA diet (by 50%, 25% and 9%, respectively), and the SFA diet increased plasma glucose during the IST (by 36%; all P < .01 vs placebo). The SFA diet-induced impairment of vasodilation on placebo (-9.4% vs baseline; P < .01) was ameliorated by liraglutide (-4.8%; P = .1 vs baseline). In skeletal muscle, liraglutide abolished the SFA-induced increase in thioredoxin-interacting protein (TxNIP) expression (75% decrease; P < .01 vs placebo) and increased 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation (50% vs -3%; P = .04 vs placebo). CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide blunted the SFA-enriched diet-induced peripheral insulin resistance. This effect may be related to improved microvascular function and modulation of TxNIP and AMPK pathways in skeletal muscle.

The Impact of the Filipino Plate Method versus Standard Nutrition Education on Food Group Proportions and 2-hour Postprandial Blood Glucose for Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of the Filipino plate method against standard nutrition education in the selection of food group proportions and in reducing 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels (2h-PPG) among patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODOLOGY: This randomized, open-label trial assigned 148 subjects with type 2 diabetes to receive nutrition education using either the Filipino plate method or standard nutrition education, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The subjects were given meals before and three days after the intervention, at which time the contents of their plate were scored based on food group proportions. After the meal, 2h-PPG levels were obtained. Pre- and post-intervention plate scores and 2h-PPG were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Plate scores were significantly increased from pre to post-teaching for both groups (p value <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in post-teaching scores between the two modes of nutrition education (Filipino plate method median score 8/9 vs standard nutrition education 7/9, p=0.018). The 2h-PPG results decreased significantly from baseline to post-teaching for both groups (p=0.008). There was no significant difference in the reduction in 2h-PPG between the two groups (p=.741). CONCLUSION: The Filipino plate method was comparable to standard nutrition education in improving food group choices and proportions as well as 2h-PPG in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Síndrome Stevens Jonhson: reporte de caso clínico / Stevens Johnson syndrome: clinical case report

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome Stevens Johnson (SSJ) es una dermatosis potencialmente fatal caracterizada por una extensa necrosis epidérmica y de mucosas que se acompaña de ataque al estado general, y junto con la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica (NET) se consideran reacciones de hipersensibilidad tipo IV, relacionadas con ciertos fármacos en 60% de los casos, siendo uno de los diagnósticos pocos frecuentes, pero con una alta mortalidad hasta del 40%. Caso clínico: El siguiente caso clínico es un masculino de 34 años de edad que inició un cuadro de eritema generalizado inmediatamente tras la administración del medicamento trimetoprima/sulfametoxazol. Se le solicitó un hemograma mostrando leucocitosis, neutrofilia, VSG elevada, PCR elevada, IgE elevada, y tras el interrogatorio clínico se realiza el algoritmo ALDEN dando positivo con 10 puntos asociado al medicamento previamente dicho. Por lo tanto se le inicia tratamiento con metilprednisolona, difenhidramina, inmunoglobulina humana intravenosa y un plan terapéutico cutáneo, dando como resultado una mejoría clínica, evitando complicaciones y secuelas, hasta el día de su egreso. A manera de conclusión, se requiere un manejo multidisciplinario para atender las manifestaciones clínicas del inmunoglobulina humana intravenosa.

Abstract Introduction: Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a potentially fatal dermatosis characterized by extensive epidermal and mucosal necrosis accompanied by an attack on the general condition, which together with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are considered type IV hypersensitivity reactions, related to certain drugs in 60% of cases, being one of the rare diagnoses, but with a high mortality of up to 40%. Case report: The following clinical case is a 34 year old male who started a generalized erythema picture immediately after administration of the medication trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, for which a complete blood count was requested showing leukocytosis, neutrophilia, elevated ESR, elevated PCR, elevated IgE, and after the clinical questioning, the ALDEN algorithm was performed, giving positive with 10 points associated with the previously mentioned medication, for which treatment was started with methylprednisolone, diphenhydramine, intravenous human immunoglobulin and a skin therapeutic plan, resulting in clinical improvement, avoiding complications and sequelae, until the day of discharge. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary management is required to attend to the clinical manifestations of the patient, helping him to a quick and effective recovery.

Primary hyperparathyroidism and pathological fractures: a review.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is due most often to a parathyroid adenoma secreting parathyroid hormone. Elevated PTH levels cause bone resorption, the formation of polyostotic lesions and a reduction in bone mineral density, predisposing to pathological fractures. The final stage of this disease is osteitis fibrosa cystica. The authors review the literature about osteitis fibrosa cystica and the treatment options when a pathologic fracture occurs.

Review: The relationship of hemoglobin A1c to postoperative surgical risk with an emphasis on joint replacement surgery.

Patients with diabetes mellitus are known to have a high risk of postoperative complications, including infections, impaired wound healing, cardiovascular events, venous thromboembolism, and mortality. Because hyperglycemia has been thought to mediate this risk, there is a clinical propensity for improving glycemic control, as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, prior to proceeding with elective surgery, particularly joint replacement surgery. However, it is not established whether chronic poor glycemic control, indicated by elevated HbA1c levels, predicts increased risk of postoperative complications. The benefit of improving glycemic control must be weighed against risks of delaying necessary elective surgery, such as joint replacement surgery, which risks may include negative impact on long-term glycemic control. Thus, we review the current evidence to determine the relationship between HbA1c and postoperative surgical risk, especially on joint replacement surgery.