Molecular genetic analysis of candidate genes for glutaric aciduria type II in a cohort of patients from Queensland, Australia.

Glutaric aciduria type II (GAII) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder affecting mitochondrial fatty acid, amino acid and choline oxidation. Clinical manifestations vary across the lifespan and onset may occur at any time from the early neonatal period to advanced adulthood. Historically, some patients, in particular those with late onset disease, have experienced significant benefit from riboflavin supplementation. GAII has been considered an autosomal recessive condition caused by pathogenic variants in the gene encoding electron-transfer flavoprotein ubiquinone-oxidoreductase (ETFDH) or in the genes encoding electron-transfer flavoprotein subunits A and B (ETFA and ETFB respectively). Variants in genes involved in riboflavin metabolism have also been reported. However, in some patients, molecular analysis has failed to reveal diagnostic molecular results. In this study, we report the outcome of molecular analysis in 28 Australian patients across the lifespan, 10 paediatric and 18 adult, who had a diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type II based on both clinical and biochemical parameters. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 26 of the patients and two neonatal onset patients had targeted sequencing of candidate genes. The two patients who had targeted sequencing had biallelic pathogenic variants (in ETFA and ETFDH). None of the 26 patients whose whole genome was sequenced had biallelic variants in any of the primary candidate genes. Interestingly, nine of these patients (34.6%) had a monoallelic pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in a single primary candidate gene and one patient (3.9%) had a monoallelic pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in two separate genes within the same pathway. The frequencies of the damaging variants within ETFDH and FAD transporter gene SLC25A32 were significantly higher than expected when compared to the corresponding allele frequencies in the general population. The remaining 16 patients (61.5%) had no pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the candidate genes. Ten (56%) of the 18 adult patients were taking the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant sertraline, which has been shown to produce a GAII phenotype, and another two adults (11%) were taking a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, venlafaxine or duloxetine, which have a mechanism of action overlapping that of sertraline. Riboflavin deficiency can also mimic both the clinical and biochemical phenotype of GAII. Several patients on these antidepressants showed an initial response to riboflavin but then that response waned. These results suggest that the GAII phenotype can result from a complex interaction between monoallelic variants and the cellular environment. Whole genome or targeted gene panel analysis may not provide a clear molecular diagnosis.

Bi-allelic loss-of-function OBSCN variants predispose individuals to severe recurrent rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is the acute breakdown of skeletal myofibres in response to an initiating factor, most commonly toxins and over exertion. A variety of genetic disorders predispose to rhabdomyolysis through different pathogenic mechanisms, particularly in patients with recurrent episodes. However, most cases remain without a genetic diagnosis. Here we present six patients who presented with severe and recurrent rhabdomyolysis, usually with onset in the teenage years; other features included a history of myalgia and muscle cramps. We identified 10 bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in the gene encoding obscurin (OBSCN) predisposing individuals to recurrent rhabdomyolysis. We show reduced expression of OBSCN and loss of obscurin protein in patient muscle. Obscurin is proposed to be involved in sarcoplasmic reticulum function and Ca2+ handling. Patient cultured myoblasts appear more susceptible to starvation as evidenced by a greater decreased in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content compared to control myoblasts. This likely reflects a lower efficiency when pumping Ca2+ back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and/or a decrease in Ca2+ sarcoplasmic reticulum storage ability when metabolism is diminished. OSBCN variants have previously been associated with cardiomyopathies. None of the patients presented with a cardiomyopathy and cardiac examinations were normal in all cases in which cardiac function was assessed. There was also no history of cardiomyopathy in first degree relatives, in particular in any of the carrier parents. This cohort is relatively young, thus follow-up studies and the identification of additional cases with bi-allelic null OBSCN variants will further delineate OBSCN-related disease and the clinical course of disease.

Nocturnal Hypoglycemia in Patients With Diabetes Discharged From ICUs: A Prospective Two-Center Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: There is very limited information about glycemic control after discharge from the ICU. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of hypoglycemia in ICU survivors with type-2 diabetes and determine whether hypoglycemia is associated with cardiac arrhythmias. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, two-center study. Participants underwent up to 5 days of simultaneous blinded continuous interstitial glucose monitoring and ambulatory 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring immediately after ICU discharge during ward-based care. Frequency of arrhythmias, heart rate variability, and cardiac repolarization markers were compared between hypoglycemia (interstitial glucose ≤ 3.5 mmol/L) and euglycemia (5-10 mmol/L) matched for time of day. SETTING: Mixed medical-surgical ICUs in two geographically distinct university-affiliated hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients with type-2 diabetes who were discharged from ICU after greater than or equal to 24 hours with greater than or equal to one organ failure and were prescribed subcutaneous insulin were eligible. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-one participants (mean ± sd, age 65 ± 13 yr, glycated hemoglobin 64 ± 22 mmol/mol) were monitored for 101 ± 32 hours post-ICU (total 3,117 hr). Hypoglycemia occurred in 12 participants (39%; 95% CI, 22-56%) and was predominantly nocturnal (40/51 hr) and asymptomatic (25/29 episodes). Participants experiencing hypoglycemia had 2.4 ± 0.7 discrete episodes lasting 45 minutes (interquartile range, 25-140 min). Glucose nadir was less than or equal to 2.2 mmol/L in 34% of episodes. The longest episode of nocturnal hypoglycemia was 585 minutes with glucose nadir less than 2.2 mmol/L. Simultaneous electrocardiogram and continuous interstitial glucose monitoring recordings were obtained during 44 hours of hypoglycemia and 991 hours of euglycemia. Hypoglycemia was associated with greater risk of bradycardia but did not affect atrial or ventricular ectopics, heart rate variability, or cardiac repolarization. CONCLUSIONS: In ICU survivors with insulin-treated type-2 diabetes, hypoglycemia occurs frequently and is predominantly nocturnal, asymptomatic, and prolonged.

PPA2-associated sudden cardiac death: extending the clinical and allelic spectrum in 20 new families.

PURPOSE: Biallelic hypomorphic variants in PPA2, encoding the mitochondrial inorganic pyrophosphatase 2 protein, have been recently identified in individuals presenting with sudden cardiac death, occasionally triggered by alcohol intake or a viral infection. Here we report 20 new families harboring PPA2 variants. METHODS: Synthesis of clinical and molecular data concerning 34 individuals harboring five previously reported PPA2 variants and 12 novel variants, 11 of which were functionally characterized. RESULTS: Among the 34 individuals, only 6 remain alive. Twenty-three died before the age of 2 years while five died between 14 and 16 years. Within these 28 cases, 15 died of sudden cardiac arrest and 13 of acute heart failure. One case was diagnosed prenatally with cardiomyopathy. Four teenagers drank alcohol before sudden cardiac arrest. Progressive neurological signs were observed in 2/6 surviving individuals. For 11 variants, recombinant PPA2 enzyme activities were significantly decreased and sensitive to temperature, compared to wild-type PPA2 enzyme activity. CONCLUSION: We expand the clinical and mutational spectrum associated with PPA2 dysfunction. Heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest occur at various ages with inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability, and presentation can include progressive neurological disease. Alcohol intake can trigger cardiac arrest and should be strictly avoided.

Exenatide once weekly slows gastric emptying of solids and liquids in healthy, overweight people at steady-state concentrations.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of 8 weeks' administration of exenatide (EXE) once weekly on gastric emptying of solids and liquids (using the "gold standard" technique, scintigraphy), glucose absorption and postprandial glycaemia in healthy people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 32 healthy participants were randomized to receive either EXE once weekly (2 mg/wk subcutaneously; six men, 10 women, mean age 59.9 ± 0.9 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 29.6 ± 0.6 kg/m2 ) or matching placebo (PBO; six men, 10 women, mean age 60.6 ± 1.2 years, mean BMI 29.5 ± 1.0 kg/m2 ) for 8 weeks. Gastric emptying, nausea (visual analogue scale), and plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were measured for 120 min after a solid/liquid meal, comprising 100 g ground beef (radiolabelled with 20 MBq 99m Tc-sulphur colloid) and 150 mL 10% glucose (radiolabelled with 7 MBq 67 Ga-EDTA), and containing 5 g 3-O-methyl-glucose (3-OMG) as a marker of glucose absorption, at baseline and after 8 weeks' treatment. RESULTS: The study treatments were well tolerated. Scores for nausea were consistently low, with no difference between the EXE once weekly and PBO groups. EXE once weekly slowed gastric emptying of solids (area under the curve [AUC]0-120min : P < 0.05) and liquids (AUC0-120min : P = 0.01) substantially, and attenuated glucose absorption (3-OMG incremental AUC [iAUC]0-30min : P = 0.001) and the postprandial rise in plasma glucose (iAUC0-30min : P = 0.008). Plasma glucagon at 2 h was reduced by EXE once weekly (P = 0.001). The magnitude of the reduction in plasma glucose at t = 30 min from baseline to 8 weeks with EXE once weekly was related inversely to the 50% emptying time of the glucose drink (r = -0.55, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy participants, 8 weeks' administration of the "long-acting" glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist EXE, slowed gastric emptying of solids and liquids substantially, with consequent reductions in glucose absorption and postprandial glycaemia.

Incident Diabetes in Survivors of Critical Illness and Mechanisms Underlying Persistent Glucose Intolerance: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Stress hyperglycemia occurs in critically ill patients and may be a risk factor for subsequent diabetes. The aims of this study were to determine incident diabetes and prevalent prediabetes in survivors of critical illness experiencing stress hyperglycemia and to explore underlying mechanisms. DESIGN: This was a prospective, single center, cohort study. At admission to ICU, hemoglobin A1c was measured in eligible patients. Participants returned at 3 and 12 months after ICU admission and underwent hemoglobin A1c testing and an oral glucose tolerance test. Blood was also collected for hormone concentrations, whereas gastric emptying was measured via an isotope breath test. ß-cell function was modeled using standard techniques. SETTING: Tertiary-referral, mixed medical-surgical ICU. PATIENTS: Consecutively admitted patients who developed stress hyperglycemia and survived to hospital discharge were eligible. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Consent was obtained from 40 patients (mean age, 58 yr [SD, 10], hemoglobin A1c 36.8 mmol/mol [4.9 mmol/mol]) with 35 attending the 3-month and 26 the 12-month visits. At 3 months, 13 (37%) had diabetes and 15 (43%) had prediabetes. At 12 months, seven (27%) participants had diabetes, whereas 11 (42%) had prediabetes. Mean hemoglobin A1c increased from baseline during the study: +0.7 mmol/mol (-1.2 to 2.5 mmol/mol) at 3 months and +3.3 mmol/mol (0.98-5.59 mmol/mol) at 12 months (p = 0.02). Gastric emptying was not significantly different across groups at either 3 or 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes and prediabetes occur frequently in survivors of ICU experiencing stress hyperglycemia. Based on the occurrence rate observed in this cohort, structured screening and intervention programs appear warranted.

A whey/guar "preload" improves postprandial glycaemia and glycated haemoglobin levels in type 2 diabetes: A 12-week, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of treatment with a whey/guar preload on gastric emptying, postprandial glycaemia and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 79 people with T2DM, managed on diet or metformin (HbA1c 49 ± 0.7 mmol/mol [6.6 ± 0.1%]), were randomized, in single-blind fashion, to receive 150 mL flavoured preloads, containing either 17 g whey protein plus 5 g guar (n = 37) or flavoured placebo (n = 42), 15 minutes before two meals, each day for 12 weeks. Blood glucose and gastric emptying (breath test) were measured before and after a mashed potato meal at baseline (without preload), and after the preload at the beginning (week 1) and end (week 12) of treatment. HbA1c levels, energy intake, weight and body composition were also evaluated. RESULTS: Gastric emptying was slower (P < 0.01) and postprandial blood glucose levels lower (P < 0.05) with the whey/guar preload compared to placebo preload, and the magnitude of reduction in glycaemia was related to the rate of gastric emptying at both week 1 (r = -0.54, P < 0.001) and week 12 (r = -0.54, P < 0.0001). At the end of treatment, there was a 1 mmol/mol [0.1%] reduction in HbA1c in the whey/guar group compared to the placebo group (49 ± 1.0 mmol/mol [6.6 ± 0.05%] vs. 50 ± 0.8 mmol/mol [6.7 ± 0.05%]; P < 0.05). There were no differences in energy intake, body weight, or lean or fat mass between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with well-controlled T2DM, 12 weeks' treatment with a low-dose whey/guar preload, taken twice daily before meals, had sustained effects of slowing gastric emptying and reducing postprandial blood glucose, which were associated with a modest reduction in HbA1c, without causing weight gain.

A randomized, crossover study of the acute effects of acarbose and gastric distension, alone and combined, on postprandial blood pressure in healthy older adults.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial hypotension (PPH) occurs frequently in the elderly and patients with type 2 diabetes, and lacks a satisfactory treatment. Gastric distension and the α-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, may attenuate the postprandial fall in blood pressure (BP) by complementary mechanisms. We aimed to determine whether gastric distension and acarbose have additive effects to attenuate the fall in BP induced by oral sucrose. METHODS: Ten healthy older adults (74.0 ± 1.4 yr) had measurements of BP and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow for 120 min after receiving either (i) the 'study drink' of 100 g sucrose in 300 mL of water (control treatment), (ii) a 300 mL water 'preload' 15 min before the 'study drink' (distension treatment), (iii) 100 mg acarbose dissolved in the 'study drink' (acarbose treatment) or (iv) a 300 ml water 'preload' 15 min before 100 mg acarbose dissolved in the 'study drink' (acarbose and distension treatment). RESULTS: The area under the curve (AUC)0-120min for mean arterial pressure (MAP) was greater (P = 0.005) and the maximum fall in MAP was less (P = 0.006) during treatments with acarbose. Gastric distension did not affect the MAP-AUC0-120min response to acarbose (P = 0.44) and there was no effect of gastric distension alone (P = 0.68). Both acarbose treatments attenuated the rise in SMA blood flow (P = 0.003), whereas gastric distension had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy older adults, acarbose (100 mg), but not gastric distension, attenuates the fall in BP and rise in SMA blood flow after oral sucrose. The observations support the use of acarbose, but not gastric distension, to attenuate a postprandial fall in BP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered at ( ACTRN12618000152224 ) on February 02nd 2018.

Stress hyperglycaemia in critically ill patients and the subsequent risk of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia occurs frequently in critically ill patients without diabetes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether this 'stress hyperglycaemia' identifies survivors of critical illness at increased risk of subsequently developing diabetes. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases from their inception to February 2016. We included observational studies evaluating adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who developed stress hyperglycaemia if the researchers reported incident diabetes or prediabetes diagnosed ≥3 months after hospital discharge. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of identified studies and evaluated the full text of relevant studies. Data were extracted using pre-defined data fields, and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled ORs with 95 % CIs for the occurrence of diabetes were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Four cohort studies provided 2923 participants, including 698 with stress hyperglycaemia and 131 cases of newly diagnosed diabetes. Stress hyperglycaemia was associated with increased risk of incident diabetes (OR 3.48; 95 % CI 2.02-5.98; I 2 = 36.5 %). Studies differed with regard to definitions of stress hyperglycaemia, follow-up and cohorts studied. CONCLUSIONS: Stress hyperglycaemia during ICU admission is associated with increased risk of incident diabetes. The strength of this association remains uncertain because of statistical and clinical heterogeneity among the included studies.

Gastric emptying during and following resolution of moderate diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: To use the 'gold standard' technique of scintigraphy to quantify gastric emptying (GE) as soon as practicable during an admission with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and following its resolution at least 7 days later. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Five patients with type 1 diabetes, age 29±12 years; Body Mass Index 23±3 kg/m2; hemoglobin A1c 11.3%±1.9%, were studied during an admission with DKA and following its resolution. Solid and liquid GE were measured using scintigraphy. Solid emptying was assessed via the percentage intragastric retention at 100 min and that of liquid by the 50% emptying time. RESULTS: There was no difference in either solid or liquid GE at the initial study compared with the follow-up. Median (IQR) solid retention was 47±20 versus 38%±33%, respectively; p=0.31, and time to empty 50% of liquid was 37±25 min versus 35±15 min, p=0.31, at the initial and follow-up GE study, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GE of solids and liquids is not affected by moderate DKA, inferring that earlier reintroduction of oral intake may be appropriate.

Glycogenic hepatopathy associated with hepatic steatosis in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Glycogenic hepatopathy is associated with significant psychosocial consequences and health costs. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and glycogenic hepatopathy are frequently confused as "fatty liver" when seen on ultrasonography. We wished to examine liver fat and glycogen content in groups defined based on metabolic and liver disease phenotypes. METHODS: This case-control study undertaken in a tertiary hospital used nuclear proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to examine liver fat and glycogen content in five clinical groups, each containing five participants: 1. type 1 diabetes with glycogenic hepatopathy, 2. satisfactorily controlled type 1 diabetes with no liver disease, 3. poorly controlled type 1 diabetes without liver disease, 4. a control group of body mass index- and age-matched individuals without diabetes or liver disease, and 5. hepatic steatosis. RESULTS: Fat content was highest in the hepatic steatosis (median 15.4 %, IQR 10.0-19.3) and glycogenic hepatopathy (median 6.5 %, IQR 4.5-9.1) groups and compared to both of these groups was lower in the control group (median 1.0 %, IQR 0.7-1.1, p 0.002 and 0.022), the T1DM group with satisfactory control (median 0.3 %, IQR 0.2-0.6, p < 0.001 and <0.001), and the T1DM group with poor control without liver disease (median 1.1 %, IQR 0.9-1.1, p 0.001 and 0.012). No participants from the type 1 diabetes poor control, type 1 diabetes satisfactory control or the no diabetes groups had 1H-MRS-diagnosed hepatic steatosis. 1H-MRS glycogen content could not be interpreted in the majority of those with glycogenic hepatopathy because of interference from the fat signal. CONCLUSIONS: In cases diagnosed with glycogenic hepatopathy there may be significant concomitant fat accumulation, compounding the already elevated cardiovascular risk in this cohort. The technique of 1H-MRS has not been demonstrated to be useful for diagnosing glycogenic hepatopathy.

Survivors of Intensive Care With Type 2 Diabetes and the Effect of Shared-Care Follow-Up Clinics: The SWEET-AS Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up clinics after ICU admission have demonstrated limited benefit. However, existing trials have evaluated heterogeneous cohorts and used physicians who had limited training in outpatient care. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the effects of a "shared-care" intensivist-endocrinologist clinic for ICU survivors with type 2 diabetes on process measures and clinical outcomes 6 months after hospital discharge, and is it feasible to conduct a larger trial? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single-center pilot study with blinded outcome assessment. Patients with type 2 diabetes, who required ≥ 5 days of ICU care (mixed medical-surgical ICU) and survived to ICU discharge, were eligible. Participants were randomized to attendance at the shared-care clinic 1 month after hospital discharge or usual care. Six months after hospital discharge, participants were assessed for outcomes including glycated hemoglobin, neuropathy, nephropathy, quality of life, return to employment, frailty, and health-care use. The primary outcome was participant recruitment and retention. RESULTS: During an 18-month period, 42 of 82 eligible patients (51%) were recruited. Four participants (10%) withdrew before assessment at 6 months and 11 (26%) died. At 6 months, only 18 of 38 participants who did not withdraw (47%) were living independently without support, and 24 (63%) required at least one subsequent hospital admission. In the intervention group (n = 21), 16 (76%) attended the clinic. Point estimates did not indicate that the intervention improved glycated hemoglobin (+5.6 mmol/mol; 95% CI, -6.3 to 17; P = .36) or quality of life (36-Item Short Form Survey physical summary score, 32 [9] vs. 32 [7]; P = 1.0). INTERPRETATION: Outcomes for ICU survivors with type 2 diabetes are poor. Because of low participation and high mortality, a larger trial of a shared-care follow-up clinic in this cohort, using the present design, does not appear feasible. TRIAL REGISTRY: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); No.: ACTRN12616000206426; URL: www.anzctr.org.au.

Longitudinal Changes in the Blood Pressure Responses to, and Gastric Emptying of, an Oral Glucose Load in Healthy Older Subjects.

The rate of gastric emptying is a major determinant of the hypotensive response to a meal. Cross-sectional studies suggest that healthy aging is associated with a modest slowing of gastric emptying. We aimed to determine longitudinal changes in the blood pressure (BP) response to, and gastric emptying of, glucose in healthy older people. Thirty-three participants (77.0 ± 0.7 years) had baseline and follow-up measurements after 5.8 ± 0.1 years. Participants consumed a 300-mL drink containing 75 g glucose and 150 mg C13-acetate. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured at 5-minute intervals for 120 minutes after the drink. Exhaled breath was collected to calculate the gastric 50% emptying time. The prevalence of postprandial hypotension (PPH) doubled from 9.1% to 18.2%. Gastric emptying was slower at follow-up (p = .04). The fall in systolic BP (SBP) was related directly to the rate of gastric emptying at both the initial study (r = .54, p = .005) and at follow-up (r = .41, p = .04). The change in the maximum fall in SBP was related to the increase in baseline SBP (r = -.63, p < .001). In conclusion, in healthy older people over a period of ~5.8 years, there was an increased prevalence of PPH and a modest slowing of gastric emptying. The latter was related directly to a greater hypotensive response.

The relationship between plasma GIP and GLP-1 levels in individuals with normal and impaired glucose tolerance.

AIMS: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is released primarily from the proximal small intestine and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from the more distal small intestine and colon. Their relative importance to the incretin effect in health has been contentious in the past, although it now appears that GIP has the dominant role. It is uncertain whether there is a relationship between GIP and GLP-1 secretion. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma GIP and GLP-1 responses to a 75-g oral glucose load in individuals with normal (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: One hundred healthy subjects had measurements of blood glucose, serum insulin, plasma GIP and GLP-1 concentrations for 240 min after a 300 mL drink containing 75 g glucose. RESULTS: Fifty had NGT and 41 IGT; 9 had type 2 diabetes and were excluded from analysis. In both groups, there were increases in plasma GIP and GLP-1 following the glucose drink, with no difference in the magnitude of the responses between t = 0-240 min. There was a weak relationship between the iAUC0-240 min for GIP and GLP-1 in the combined (r = 0.23, P = 0.015) and in the IGT (r = 0.34, P = 0.01), but not in the NGT (r = 0.15, P = 0.14) group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a weak relationship between oral glucose-induced GIP and GLP-1 secretions in non-diabetic subjects.

Autonomic function, postprandial hypotension and falls in older adults at one year after critical illness.

OBJECTIVE: Postprandial hypotension occurs frequently in older survivors of critical illness at 3 months after discharge. We aimed to determine whether postprandial hypotension and its predictors - gastric dysmotility and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction - persist or resolve as older survivors of critical illness recover, and whether postprandial hypotension after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge is associated with adverse outcomes at 12 months. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary medical-surgical ICU. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) who had been studied 3 months after ICU discharge and who returned for a follow-up study at 12 months after discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: On both occasions after fasting overnight, participants consumed a 300 mL drink containing 75 g glucose, radiolabelled with 20 MBq 99mTcphytate. Blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose concentration and gastric emptying rate were measured concurrently before and after ingestion of the drink. Falls, quality of life, hospitalisation and mortality rates were also quantified. RESULTS: Out of 35 older adults studied at 3 months, 22 returned for the follow-up study at 12 months. Postprandial hypotension was evident in 29% of participants (95% CI, 14-44%) at 3 months and 10% of participants (95% CI, 1-30%) at 12 months. Postprandial hypotension at 3 months was associated with a more than threefold increase in the risk of falls in the year after ICU discharge (relative risk, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.6-8.8]; P = 0.003). At 12 months, gastric emptying was normal (mean time taken for 50% of gastric contents to empty, 101.6 [SD, 33.3] min) and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction prevalence was low (9% [95% CI, 1-29%]). CONCLUSIONS: In older adults who were evaluated 3 and 12 months after ICU discharge, postprandial hypotension at 3 months was associated with an increased risk of subsequent falls, but the prevalence of postprandial hypotension decreased with time.

Effects of Sustained Treatment With Lixisenatide on Gastric Emptying and Postprandial Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Tachyphylaxis for slowing of gastric emptying is seen with continuous exposure to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). We therefore aimed to establish whether prolonged use of a "short-acting" GLP-1 receptor agonist, lixisenatide, achieves sustained slowing of gastric emptying and reduction in postprandial glycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with metformin-treated type 2 diabetes underwent assessment of gastric emptying (scintigraphy) and glucose metabolism (dual tracer technique) after a 75-g glucose drink, before and after 8 weeks' treatment with lixisenatide (20 µg subcutaneously daily) or placebo, in a double-blind randomized parallel design. RESULTS: Gastric retention of the glucose drink was markedly increased after lixisenatide versus placebo (ratio of adjusted geometric means for area under the curve [AUC] over 240 min of 2.19 [95% CI 1.82, 2.64], P < 0.001), associated with substantial reductions in the rate of systemic appearance of oral glucose (P < 0.001) and incremental AUC for blood glucose (P < 0.001). Lixisenatide suppressed both glucagon (P = 0.003) and insulin (P = 0.032), but not endogenous glucose production, over 120 min after oral glucose intake. Postprandial glucose lowering over 240 min was strongly related to the magnitude of slowing of gastric emptying by lixisenatide (r = -0.74, P = 0.002) and to the baseline rate of emptying (r = 0.52, P = 0.048) but unrelated to ß-cell function (assessed by ß-cell glucose sensitivity). CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks' treatment with lixisenatide is associated with sustained slowing of gastric emptying and marked reductions in postprandial glycemia and appearance of ingested glucose. Short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists therefore potentially represent an effective long-term therapy for specifically targeting postprandial glucose excursions.

Acute Effects of Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Postprandial Blood Pressure.

Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is under-recognised, but common, particularly in the elderly, and is of clear clinical importance due to both the independent association between PPH and an increase in mortality and lack of effective management for this condition. Following health concerns surrounding excessive consumption of sugar, there has been a trend in the use of low- or non-nutritive sweeteners as an alternative. Due to the lack of literature in this area, we conducted a systematic search to identify studies relevant to the effects of different types of sweeteners on postprandial blood pressure (BP). The BP response to ingestion of sweeteners is generally unaffected in healthy young subjects, however in elderly subjects, glucose induces the greatest decrease in postprandial BP, while the response to sucrose is less pronounced. The limited studies investigating other nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners have demonstrated minimal or no effect on postprandial BP. Dietary modification by replacing high nutritive sweeteners (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) with low nutritive (d-xylose, xylitol, erythritol, maltose, maltodextrin, and tagatose) and non-nutritive sweeteners may be a simple and effective management strategy for PPH.

Longitudinal evaluation of gastric emptying in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To evaluate the natural history of gastric emptying in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: 12 patients with type 2 diabetes (7 female; age 65.6 ±â€¯1.2 years; duration of known diabetes 22.9 ±â€¯1.5 years) were invited to return for repeat measurements of gastric emptying using the same dual-labelled solid and liquid meal, a mean of 14.0 ±â€¯0.5 years after their initial study. Blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin, upper gastrointestinal symptoms and autonomic nerve function at baseline and follow up were also compared. RESULTS: Gastric emptying of solids was more rapid at follow up than at baseline (period effect P < 0.05), while emptying of liquids was comparable at baseline and follow up (period effect P = 0.2). Gastric emptying of the solid component was abnormally slow (based on T100min) in 6 subjects at baseline and 1 subject at follow up. Liquid emptying was abnormally slow in 6 subjects at baseline, and 5 subjects at follow up. Two patients were insulin treated at baseline, and 6 at follow up. HbA1c was higher at follow up (P < 0.05); however, fasting blood glucose (P = 0.6), postprandial blood glucose excursions (P = 0.07), autonomic nerve function (P > 0.999), and total upper gastrointestinal symptom score (P = 0.1) did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with long-term type 2 diabetes, gastric emptying of solids and liquids does not usually become more delayed over time, and abnormally slow gastric emptying of solids may improve.