Vitamin D and diabetes mellitus: Causal or casual association?

The incidence of both type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus has been increasing worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency, or the awareness of its prevalence, has also been increasing. Vitamin D may have a role in the pathogenic mechanisms predisposing to type 2 diabetes by modulating insulin resistance and/or pancreatic ß-cell function. Vitamin D status or elements involved in its activation or transport may also be involved in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus through immunomodulatory role . Based on these observations a potential association between vitamin D and diabetes has been hypothesized. In this review we discuss up to date evidence linking vitamin D with the development of diabetes. Moreover, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of both types of diabetes is analysed together with its role in improving glycemic control in diabetic patients. We also address the potential role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of macro- and microvascular complications in diabetes. Finally, we provide recommendation for Vitamin D therapy in diabetes in view of current evidence and highlight areas for potential future research in this area.

Combined treatment with sitagliptin and vitamin D in a patient with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

UNLABELLED: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a relatively new type of diabetes with a clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and an immunological milieu characterized by high titers of islet autoantibodies, resembling the immunological profile of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Herein, we report a case of a young male, diagnosed with LADA based on both clinical presentation and positive anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-abs), which were normalized after combined treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4) (sitagliptin) and cholecalciferol. LEARNING POINTS: Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-abs) titers in young patients being previously diagnosed as type 2 diabetes (T2D) may help establish the diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).Sitagliptin administration in patients with LADA might prolong the insulin-free period.Vitamin D administration in patients with LADA might have a protective effect on the progression of the disease.

Topotecan-carboplatin-etoposide combination as 1st line treatment in patients with small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To test toxicity, tolerability, time to progression, survival and response rate in the 3-day administration of topotecan (T) followed by carboplatin (C), and then etoposide (E) in a study for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treatment. PATIENTS: 44 chemotherapy-naive patients with SCLC (median age 63.5, PS 0-1). ED was present in 28 patients. METHODS: Each treatment cycle consisted of T (0.8 mg/m(2) on days 1-3), C (AUC=5, day 3) and a standard oral dose of E (100mg on days 15-17). Cycles were repeated every 32 days and up to eight were performed. Responders received radiotherapy to the primary site (50 Gy) after the 4th cycle and complete responders also received PCI. RESULTS: Complete response (CR) was achieved in 4 patients, partial response (PR) in 18, stable disease in 10 and PD in 12. Median survival was 280 (+/-36.7) days and median time to progression 137 days. 11 patients developed grade 3/4 neutropenia and 3 patients grade 3/4 anaemia. Non-haematological toxicity was mild. CONCLUSION: In contrast to ORR, PFS and survival were quite similar to those of SCLC patients suffering from ED treated by a platinum-etoposide regimen. The T/C/E combination was well tolerated and with low toxicity, but without improvement in the ORR and survival in comparison to platinum analogue regimes.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) does not seem to be directly involved in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus.

In order to define the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) levels in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their interrelationship with the insulin levels, we studied (1) the placental RNA from 10 women (5 with GDM and 5 normals) for IAPP expression by Northern blotting and (2) 10 women with GDM during a 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test and compared these with 11 normal women matched for obesity and age. Plasma levels of glucose, IAPP, insulin, and C peptide were determined. No IAPP expression was detected in any of the placentae after a long exposure. We could not demonstrate any differences in plasma IAPP levels (basal or stimulated) between the two groups of pregnant women. However, in women with GDM we found a lower IAPP/insulin ratio (p < 0.05) and a lower maximal IAPP/maximal insulin response ratio during the oral glucose tolerance test (p < 0.05) than in normal women. Therefore, IAPP does not appear to be directly involved in the development of GDM. The peripheral levels of IAPP relative to insulin are lower in GDM, a finding similar to that described in type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). This observation further confirms that GDM resembles the early stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Derangement of pituitary gonadotropin release with different GnRH pulsatile patterns in chronic intravenous or subcutaneous delivery.

The efficacy of iv and sc chronic GnRH administration with different pulsatile patterns (15 micrograms every 90 min and 7.8 micrograms every 90 min with minor intermediate pulses of 2.3 micrograms every 22.2 min) by means of portable pumps were evaluated in a patient with primary hypothalamic amenorrhea. Observations of the amplitude and duration of the induced serum gonadotropin concentrations, of follicular growth (via ultrasound), and of ovarian steroids were made. Iv delivery of GnRH, 15 micrograms every 90 min, induced a normal menstrual cycle. Dividing this dose, as described above, giving it iv and sc, resulted in inappropriate gonadotropin secretion (overstimulation and desensitization, respectively) and arrest of follicular development. Sc delivery of 15 micrograms GnRH every 90 min resulted in an insufficient LH stimulation.