Skin disorders in overweight and obese patients and their relationship with insulin.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide in recent years. Some authors have described skin conditions associated with obesity, but there is little evidence on the association between insulin levels and such disorders. OBJECTIVE: To describe the skin disorders present in overweight and obese patients and analyze their association with insulin levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included nondiabetic male and female patients over 6 years of age who were seen at our hospital between January and April 2011. All the patients were evaluated by a dermatologist, who performed a physical examination, including anthropometry, and reviewed their medical history and medication record; fasting blood glucose and insulin were also measured. The patients were grouped according to degree of overweight or obesity and the data were compared using analysis of variance or the χ(2) test depending on the type of variable. The independence of the associations was assessed using regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 109 patients (95 adults and 13 children, 83.5% female) were studied. The mean (SD) age was 38 (14) years and the mean body mass index was 39.6±8 kg/m(2). The skin conditions observed were acanthosis nigricans (AN) (in 97% of patients), skin tags (77%), keratosis pilaris (42%), and plantar hyperkeratosis (38%). Statistically significant associations were found between degree of obesity and AN (P=.003), skin tags (P=.001), and plantar hyperkeratosis. Number of skin tags, AN neck severity score, and AN distribution were significantly and independently associated with insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: AN and skin tags should be considered clinical markers of hyperinsulinemia in nondiabetic, obese patients.

Use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs in Children: Update by an International Consortium.

This update, written by authors designated by multiple pediatric endocrinology societies (see List of Participating Societies) from around the globe, concisely addresses topics related to changes in GnRHa usage in children and adolescents over the last decade. Topics related to the use of GnRHa in precocious puberty include diagnostic criteria, globally available formulations, considerations of benefit of treatment, monitoring of therapy, adverse events, and long-term outcome data. Additional sections review use in transgender individuals and other pediatric endocrine related conditions. Although there have been many significant changes in GnRHa usage, there is a definite paucity of evidence-based publications to support them. Therefore, this paper is explicitly not intended to evaluate what is recommended in terms of the best use of GnRHa, based on evidence and expert opinion, but rather to describe how these drugs are used, irrespective of any qualitative evaluation. Thus, this paper should be considered a narrative review on GnRHa utilization in precocious puberty and other clinical situations. These changes are reviewed not only to point out deficiencies in the literature but also to stimulate future studies and publications in this area.

Effect of protein restriction diet on renal function and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a low protein diet (LPD) on renal function and metabolic control in three sub-groups of patients with type 2 diabetes those with or without nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care -19 with normoalbuminuria, 22 with microalbuminuria, and 19 with macroalbuminuria-. All patients experienced a screening phase during the 3 months, and were designated according to percentages of daily caloric intake (e.g., carbohydrates 50%, fat 30%, and 20% of protein). After this period, they were randomly assigned to receive either LPD (0.6-0.8 g/kg per day) or normal protein diet (NPD) (1.0-1.2 g/kg per day) for a period of 4 months. Twenty nine patients received LPD and 31 received NPD. Primary endpoints included measures of renal function (UAER, serum creatinine and GFR) and glycemic control (fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c). RESULTS: Renal function improved among patients with macroalbuminuria who received LPD: UAER decreased (1,280.7 +/- 1,139.7 to 444.4 +/- 329.8 mg/24 h; p < 0.05) and GFR increased (56.3 +/- 29.0-74.2 +/- 40.4 ml/min; p < 0.05). In normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients, there were no significant changes in UAER or GFR after either diet. HbA1c decreased significantly among microalbuminuric patients on both diets (LPD, 8.2 +/- 1.6-7.2 +/- 1.8%; p < 0.05; NPD, 8.8 +/- 1.9-7.1 +/- 0.8%; p < 0.05) and among macroalbuminuric patients who received NPD (8.1 +/- 1.8-6.9 +/- 1.6%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A moderated protein restriction diet improved the renal function in patients with type diabetes 2 and macroalbuminuria.

Acute elevations of plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and impaired endothelial function in response to a high-fat meal in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a compound detectable in human plasma, is an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase. Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in atherogenesis, and large-vessel atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied at baseline and 5 hours after ingestion of a high-fat meal. Plasma ADMA measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography increased from 1.04+/-0.99 to 2.51+/-2.27 micromol/L (P:<0.0005). Brachial arterial vasodilation after reactive hyperemia, a NO-dependent function, measured by high-resolution ultrasound, decreased from 6.9+/-3.9% at baseline to 1.3+/-4.5% (P:<0.0001). These changes occurred in association with increased plasma levels of triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein triglycerides, with reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and with no changes in total cholesterol. The increase in plasma ADMA in response to a high-fat meal was significantly and inversely related to the decrease in percent vasodilation. In 10 of the subjects studied with a similar protocol on another day, no significant changes in the brachial artery flow responses or in plasma ADMA were observed 5 hours after ingestion of a nonfat isocaloric meal. The data suggest that ADMA may contribute to abnormal blood flow responses and to atherogenesis in type 2 diabetics.

Improved metabolic control does not change plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: It has been found that lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Studies on the influence of metabolic control on plasma Lp(a) levels in Type 1 diabetics have reported conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate Lp(a) levels in carefully selected adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus before and after improved metabolic control achieved during a 2-week Juvenile Diabetes Training Camp. METHODS: Patients with conditions that affect plasma Lp(a) concentrations were not included. Metabolic variables were determined at the beginning and at the end of the camp. Diet was designed to supply 40-60 Kcal/Kg/day. Physical exercise was performed in two 60-minute daily sessions. Intermediate action insulin was given twice daily, and rapid acting insulin was also administered to some patients. RESULTS: On the last day of the camp, fructosamine declined from 430-362.7 mg/dL (p < 0.001), mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides also declined significantly (p < 0.001), and HDL-C increased (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant changes in plasma Lp(a) concentrations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study in this relatively large group of well-defined adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus suggest that improved metabolic control does not reduce plasma Lp(a) levels.

[Microalbuminuria and macrovascular risk factors in insulin-dependent diabetic children]. / Microalbuminuria y factores de riesgo macrovascular en niños diabéticos insulino-dependientes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of microalbuminuria in children and teenagers with IDDM and its relationship with other variables. METHODS: We studied 160 IDDM children and teenagers with a mean age of 13 +/- 4 years from our endocrine department outpatient clinic. A complete medical history was obtained as well as a fasting blood sample for glycemia, glycosilated hemoglobin and lipid profile and a urine sample for microalbuminuria using laser immunonephelometry. RESULTS: 13 patients (8%) had microalbuminuria (20-200 micrograms/min) and 5 (3%) clinical proteinuria (> 200 micrograms/min). The abnormal excretion was more prevalent in females with the poorest metabolic control, the longest duration of diabetes, and the highest age (13-18 years). The presence of microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria associated with a more atherogenic risk profile compared to patients with a normal urinary albumin excretion. CONCLUSIONS: There was a poor metabolic control in our IDDM population. In addition, our current findings in a population with a relatively short duration of their diabetes point out the need to improve an integral management strategy to prevent or delay the late complications associated with IDDM.

Lipoprotein(a) levels in children and adolescents with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine lipoprotein(a) in children and adolescents with IDDM and assess its relation with Lp(a) levels in their first degree relatives. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we included 141 IDDM patients, (58 male and 83 female) with mean ages 12.2 +/- 2.8 and 12.6 +/- 3.1 years, respectively. Patients with microalbuminuria, hepatopathy, thyroid dysfunction, infectious disease, acute decompensation or surgery three months prior to the study, were excluded. Clinical history, physical examination, blood chemistry, glycosilated hemoglobin, microalbuminuria and lipid profile including total cholesterol triglycerides, HDL-C, Apo A-I, Apo B and Lp(a) were determined. Parents and non-diabetic siblings were also studied when feasible. RESULTS: Mean plasma concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-C and Apo A-I were significantly higher in diabetic boys compared to their non-diabetic sibs. Mean Lp(a) plasma values and the prevalence of Lp(a) > 30 mg/dL were similar in the IDDM patients, their healthy sibs and parents. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent among the IDDM patients. No correlation was found between HbA1, and Lp(a) concentrations. However, a correlation was observed between Lp(a) plasma concentrations of parents and their diabetic and healthy offspring. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus does not seem to affect Lp(a) levels. These data are consistent with a genetic regulation of Lp(a) plasma levels.

[Metabolic control and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. / El control metabólico y la prevalencia de dislipidemia en niños y adolescentes con diabetes mellitus insulino-dependiente.

Cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein levels were assayed in serum of 152 children and teenagers with IDDM and in 228 non-diabetic siblings. A poor control of diabetes, reflected by high levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and/or high fasting blood glucose, was associated with statistically significant increases in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and a reduction in HDL-cholesterol. Mean total cholesterol levels in diabetic patients (171 +/- 33 mg/dL for males and 199 +/- 53 mg/dL for females) were statistically higher than those in their siblings (158 +/- 30 mg/dL and 164 +/- 33 mg/dL respectively). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) and hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) were higher in the diabetic patients but statistically significant exclusively in females (prevalences of 40% vs 12% for HC and 30% vs 9% for HTG with a p value < 0.005). The diabetic patients in good metabolic control had similar lipid levels to those of their non-diabetic siblings. These data support the hypothesis that poor control of blood glucose is associated with atherogenic lipid profiles. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is impressively high in our diabetic population and indicates that all IDDM patients should have a serum lipid and lipoprotein analysis done annually; blood glucose control and dietary guidelines should be improved in these cases.

[Final results of the administration of biosynthetic growth hormone. Preliminary report]. / Resultado final de la administración de hormona de crecimiento biosintética. Informe preliminar.

From March, 1987 to November, 1995, we have included 89 growth hormone-deficient children for treatment for their low height with the biosynthetic growth hormone; 23 of them have concluded treatment. Without taking into account the etiological factor of their deficiency, 6 girls and 17 boys during different lapses had modified their initial height and the scores of the standard deviation as groups, range from 113.11 +/- 14.83 cm and -5.12 +/- 1.21 to 139.11 +/- 8.96 cm. and -2.68 +/- 1.17 in the girls, and from 128.46 +/- 12.49 cm and -4.13 +/- 1.35 to 158.61 +/- 6.47 cm and -1.76 +/- 0.9 in the boys, respectively. These results between the initial height and the score of the standard deviation compared with the final height and the standard deviation score, showed a statistically significant difference of p < 0.001 both in girls and boys. Two girls and 3 boys developed hypothyroidism during the treatment, without any other side effect. We concluded that early and prolonged biosynthetic growth hormone administration in growth hormone-deficient children might produce a final adult height similar to the normal population standards.

Dermatosis en pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad y su relación con la insulina / Skin Disorders in Overweight and Obese Patients and Their Relationship With Insulin

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prevalencia de obesidad se ha incrementado mundialmente en los últimos años. Existen estudios que describen las dermatosis que se asocian con la obesidad; sin embargo, existe poca evidencia de su asociación con los niveles de insulina. OBJETIVO: Describir las dermatosis presentes en pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad y su asociación con los niveles de insulina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes de ambos sexos, mayores de 6 años, no diabéticos que acudieron a la consulta durante los meses de enero a abril de 2011. Todos los sujetos fueron valorados por un dermatólogo, se realizó exploración física, antropometría, historia médica, medicamentos y medición de glucosa e insulina de ayuno. Los pacientes se dividieron de acuerdo a sobrepeso y grado de obesidad y se compararon con Anova o Chi cuadrado, dependiendo del tipo de variable. Se realizó análisis de regresión para evaluar la independencia de las asociaciones. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 109 pacientes (95 adultos y 13 niños; 83,5% mujeres), con edad media de 38 ± 14 años y un índice de masa corporal de 39,6 ± 8 kg/m2. Las dermatosis encontradas fueron: acantosis nigricans (97%), fibromas (77%), queratosis pilar (42%) e hiperqueratosis plantar (38%). Las que se asociaron de forma estadísticamente significativa con el grado de obesidad fueron acantosis nigricans (p = 0,003), fibromas (p = 0,001) e hiperqueratosis plantar. El grado de acantosis nigricans en el cuello, su topografía y el número de fibromas mostraron asociación significativa e independiente con los niveles de insulina. CONCLUSIONES: La acantosis y los fibromas deberían considerarse marcadores clínicos de hiperinsulinemia en población obesa y no diabética

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide in recent years. Some authors have described skin conditions associated with obesity, but there is little evidence on the association between insulin levels and such disorders. OBJECTIVE: To describe the skin disorders present in overweight and obese patients and analyze their association with insulin levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included nondiabetic male and female patients over 6 years of age who were seen at our hospital between January and April 2011. All the patients were evaluated by a dermatologist, who performed a physical examination, including anthropometry, and reviewed their medical history and medication record; fasting blood glucose and insulin were also measured. The patients were grouped according to degree of overweight or obesity and the data were compared using analysis of variance or the χ2 test depending on the type of variable. The independence of the associations was assessed using regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 109 patients (95 adults and 13 children, 83.5% female) were studied. The mean (SD) age was 38 (14) years and the mean body mass index was 39.6 ± 8 kg/m2. The skin conditions observed were acanthosis nigricans (AN) (in 97% of patients), skin tags (77%), keratosis pilaris (42%), and plantar hyperkeratosis (38%). Statistically significant associations were found between degree of obesity and AN (P = 0.003), skin tags (P = 0.001), and plantar hyperkeratosis. Number of skin tags, AN neck severity score, and AN distribution were significantly and independently associated with insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: AN and skin tags should be considered clinical markers of hyperinsulinemia in nondiabetic, obese patients

Association of visceral fat with coronary risk factors in a population-based sample of postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate in a population-based random sample of postmenopausal women the adjusted association of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with coronary risk factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based random sample study. SUBJECTS: Ninety-eight postmenopausal women (age 50-65 y). MEASUREMENTS: Visceral and subcutaneous fat areas by computer axial tomography, anthropometry, lipid profile, fasting glucose and insulin, diet, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Compared to women with low VAT, women with high VAT (>117.8 cm(2)) had a less favorable metabolic profile with significantly higher fasting glucose (120+/-50 vs 98+/-39), insulin (7.9+/-10 vs 5+/-8), triglycerides (172+/-69 vs 127+/-72), apolipoprotein B (119+/-24 vs 98+/-32) and significantly lower HDL-C (38+/-10 vs 46+/-14) values in the whole sample (n=98). A similar profile was found in women without diabetes and hypertension (n=39). In multiple regression models, VAT explained a portion of the variance of TG (6.2%) in the entire sample and of total cholesterol (12.4%), LDL-C (15.8%), triglycerides (16.3%), apolipoprotein B (11.6%), and fasting glucose (28.4%) in the group of non-diabetic or hypertensive women. Our VAT cut-off point of 117.8 cm(2) corresponded to a waist circumference of 84 cm. CONCLUSION: Our results in a random population-based sample of postmenopausal women confirm the association of VAT with most coronary risk factors. These associations persisted after adjusting for diet, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol intake.

Effect of protein restriction diet on renal function and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial / Efecto de la dieta con restricción proteica en la función renal y el control metabólico de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2: ensayo clínico de distribución aleatoria

Objective: To assess the effect of a low protein diet (LPD) on renal function and metabolic control in three sub-groups of patients with type 2 diabetes those with or without nephropathy. Research design and methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care -19 with normoalbuminuria, 22 with microalbuminuria, and 19 with macroalbuminuria-. All patients experienced a screening phase during the 3 months, and were designated according to percentages of daily caloric intake (e.g., carbohydrates 50%, fat 30%, and 20% of protein). After this period, they were randomly assigned to receive either LPD (0.6-0.8 g/kg per day) or normal protein diet (NPD) (1.0-1.2 g/kg per day) for a period of 4 months. Twenty nine patients received LPD and 31 received NPD. Primary endpoints included measures of renal function (UAER, serum creatinine and GFR) and glycemic control (fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c). Results: Renal function improved among patients with macroalbuminuria who received LPD: UAER decreased (1,280.7 ± 1,139.7 to 444.4 ± 329.8 mg/24 h; p < 0.05) and GFR increased (56.3 ± 29.0-74.2 ± 40.4 ml/min; p < 0.05). In normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients, there were no significant changes in UAER or GFR after either diet. HbA1c decreased significantly among microalbuminuric patients on both diets (LPD, 8.2 ± 1.6-7.2 ± 1.8%; p < 0.05; NPD, 8.8 ± 1.9-7.1 ± 0.8%; p < 0.05) and among macroalbuminuric patients who received NPD (8.1 ± 1.8-6.9 ± 1.6%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: A moderated protein restriction diet improved the renal function in patients with type diabetes 2 and macroalbuminuria (AU)

Objetivo: Valorar el efecto de una dieta baja en proteínas (DBP) sobre la función renal y el control metabólico en tres subgrupos de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 con y sin nefropatía. Diseño del estudio y métodos: Ensayo clínico de distribución aleatoria en 60 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, en atención primaria- 19 con normoalbuminuria, 22 con microalbuminuria y 19 con macroalbuminuria. Todos los pacientes pasaron una fase de pre-intervención durante 3 meses y se anotó los porcentajes de ingesta calórica diaria (p.ej., carbohidratos 50%, grasas 30%, proteínas 20%). Después de este periodo de lavado, fueron distribuidos de forma aleatoria, para recibir o bien una DBP (0,6-0,8 g/kg, al día) o una dieta normoproteica (DNP) (1,0-1,2 g/kg al día), durante un periodo de 4 meses. Veintinueve pacientes recibieron DBP y 31 DNP. Las principales variables de desenlace fueron las medidas de función renal (EAU, creatinina sérica y TFG) y el control glucémico (glucemia en ayunas y hemoglobina A1 c glucosilada). Resultados: La función renal mejoró en los pacientes con macroalbuminuria que realizaron la DBP: la EAU disminuyó (de 1.280,7 ± 1.139,7 a 444,4 ± 329,8 mg/24 h; p < 0,05) la TFG aumentó ( 56,3 ± 29,0 - 74,2 ± 40,4 ml/min; p < 0,05). En los pacientes con normo y microalbuminuria, no hubo cambios significativos en la EAU o TFG tras cualquiera de las dietas. La HbA1c disminuyó significativamente en los pacientes con microalbuminuria, con ambas dietas (DBP, 8,2 ± 1,6-7,2 ± 1,8%; p < 0,05; DNP, 8,8 ± 1,9-7,1 ± 0,8%; p < 0,05) y en los pacientes con macroalbuminuria que siguieron la DNP (8,1 ±1,8-6,9 ±1,6%; p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Una dieta con restricción proteica moderada mejora la función renal en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 y macroalbuminuria (AU)