Gamma-aminobutyric acid for delaying type 1 diabetes mellitus: an update.

The current gold-standard management of hyperglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is insulin therapy. However, this therapy is associated with a high incidence of complications, and delaying the onset of this disease produces a substantially positive impact on quality of life for individuals with a predisposition to T1DM, especially children. This review aimed to assess the use of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to delay the onset of T1DM in children. GABA produces protective and proliferative effects in 2 ways, ß cell and immune cell modulation. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that GABA induces proliferation of ß cells, increases insulin levels, inhibits ß-cell apoptosis, and suppresses T helper 1 cell activity against islet antigens. Oral GABA is safe as no serious adverse effects were reported in any of the studies included in this review. These findings demonstrate promising results for the use of GABA treatment to delay T1DM, specifically in genetically predisposed children, through immunoregulatory effects and the ability to induce ß-cell proliferation.

Clinicodemographic Profile and Outcomes of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Indonesian Cohort of DISCOVER: A 3-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Indonesia is amongst the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) at 10.8%. However, the distinguishable features of T2DM in Indonesia remain obscure. Therefore, the DISCOVER study aimed to describe the characteristics of T2DM patients, associated vascular complications and treatment in Indonesia. Methodology: DISCOVER study is a multi-country, multicenter, prospective, cohort study over 3 years. In the present study, the data were collected from 13 sites from clinical practice, hospitals and public health facilities in Indonesia. Results: A total of 221 subjects were recruited with a mean age of 55.6 ± 9.8 years and body mass index (BMI) of 26.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2. Over 40% of patients had hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia. The mean duration of T2DM was 58.3 ± 62.0 months while the mean HbA1c levels was 9.2 ± 2%. In total, 82.4% completed the study within a 36-month followup period. BMI remained elevated i.e., >25 kg/m2. A significant reduction was observed in HbA1c levels as compared to baseline (9.2 ± 2% to 8.1 ± 1.8%). T2DM-associated microvascular complications such as peripheral neuropathy, albuminuria and chronic kidney disease were observed in 17.2%. Macrovascular complications including coronary artery disease and heart failure were seen in 26.2% of patients. We also found that more than 70% of patients were on metformin and/or sulfonylurea. Conclusion: The features of patients with T2DM in Indonesia were high BMI, with hypertension and hyperlipidemia as co-morbidities. Metformin and sulfonylureas were the most common treatment. HbA1c reduction during follow-up did not reach recommended target. Thus, early detection and intervention using available glucose-lowering medications and aggressive management of risk factors and complications are essential to improve outcomes of diabetes management in Indonesia.

MIRNA146a And Diabetes-Related Complications: A Review.

Diabetes mellitus, defined as long-standing hyperglycemic conditions caused by a defect in insulin production and activity, has become a major healthcare burden as the number of catastrophic and life-threatening complications rises. Microvascular complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy), and also diabetes-related macrovascular complications are common problems that arise as the life expectancy of diabetic patients has increased despite improved treatment options. While it is impossible to pinpoint the specific crucial timing when the complications become fully entrenched, looking for novel sensitive biomarkers to identify physiological changes in the initial stages would be needed. An increasing amount of data shows that miRNAs, particularly miRNA146a, are stable in a range of body fluids and can be used to identify pathogenic changes at the cellular or tissue level. In this brief review, we highlight the important functioning of miRNA146a and its putative target of action in diabetic microvascular and cardiovascular complications. A decrease in miRNA146a levels may play a critical role in the onset and development of diabetes complications, whereas its anti-inflammatory properties were revealed to be associated with the pathogenesis of numerous diabetic complications, including diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and diabetes-related cardiovascular disorders, even tending to be a potential biomarker of the disease's inflammatory status.

The Potential of the Flavonoid Content of Ipomoea batatas L. as an Alternative Analog GLP-1 for Diabetes Type 2 Treatment-Systematic Review.

Ipomoea batatas L. (IBL) has gained significant popularity as a complementary therapy or herbal medicine in the treatment of anti-diabetes. This review seeks to explore the mechanism by which flavonoid compounds derived from IBL exert their anti-diabetic effects through the activation of GLP-1. The review article refers to the PRISMA guidelines. In order to carry out the literature search, electronic databases such as Science Direct, Crossref, Scopus, and Pubmed were utilized. The search query was based on specific keywords, including Ipomoea batatas OR sweet potato AND anti-diabetic OR hypoglycemic. After searching the databases, we found 1055 articles, but only 32 met the criteria for further review. IBL contains various compounds, including phenolic acid, flavonols, flavanols, flavones, and anthocyanins, which exhibit activity against anti-diabetes. Flavonols, flavanols, and flavones belong to a group of flavonoids that possess the ability to form complexes with AlCl3 and Ca2+. The intracellular L cells effectively retain Ca2+, leading to the subsequent release of GLP-1. Flavonols, flavones, and flavone groups have been found to strongly interact with DPP-IV, which inhibits the degradation of GLP-1. The anti-diabetic activity of IBL is attributed to the mechanism that effectively increases the duration of GLP-1 in the systemic system, thereby prolonging its half-life.

Similar Blood Glucose Pattern with Highest Peak at Minute 45 on Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Despite Higher Fasting Insulin and Insulin Resistance in Healthy Obese than Non-Obese Subject.

BACKGROUND: Obesity increase the risk for type 2 diabetes through induction of insulin resistance. Diagnosis of diabetes were based on blood glucose level. However, insulin resistance may had happened far before diagnosis itself. This study aimed to compare fasting insulin level, insulin resistance, and blood glucose pattern during oral glucose load in healthy obese and non-obese subject. METHODS: This semi-experimental study was conducted at Department of Internal Medicine, Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Sixteen subjects in each obese and non-obese group were matched by age and sex. Obesity was defined based on body mass index (BMI) of ≥25kg/m2 and waist circumference (WC) ≥80cm (female) or ≥90cm (male). The non-obese group was defined by BMI of 18-25kg/m2 and WC <80cm (female) or <90cm (male). Fasting insulin level and blood glucose was measured at minute 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120 after glucose load of 75 grams. Insulin resistance was calculated based on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with the following formula: HOMA-IR = (FPI×FPG)/22.5. Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subject was defined by American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. RESULTS: Fasting insulin level in obese subjects was higher than non-obese subjects with median 12.75 (range 3.70 - 41.30) vs 3.80 (1.80 - 36.80) µU/mL, p=0.041. HOMA IR was also higher in obese subjects compared to non-obese subjects: 2.45 (0.70 - 8.00) vs 0.80 (0.40 - 8.50), p=0.001. Fasting insulin level was correlated with BMI (r=0.559, p=0.001) and WC (r=0.633, p<0.001). A significant correlation was also detected between HOMA IR with BMI (r=0.528, p=0.002) and WC (r=0.600, p<0.001). Blood glucose pattern in four groups: obese IGT, obese NGT, non-obese IGT, and non-obese NGT, were typically similar, in particular two peaks of blood glucose. The first peak was the highest blood glucose, shown in minute 45 in both obese and non-obese subjects. The second peak was lower than the first peak, found in minute 75 among NGT and minute 90 among IGT subject. Blood glucose level for each measurement point was consistently higher in obese than non-obese subjects. CONCLUSION: Fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR were higher in obese than in non-obese subjects. BMI and WC were significantly correlated with fasting insulin level and HOMA IR, so that high BMI and WC can be an earlier clinical sign of insulin resistance and prediabetes. Pattern of blood glucose level after oral glucose load were similar with two peaks, and blood glucose consistently higher in obese compared to non-obese subjects. The highest peak of blood glucose, shown in minute 45 in both obese and non-obese subjects.

Factors Associated with Diabetes-Related Distress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Background: Diabetes-related distress is a unique emotional problem that is directly related to the burden and anxieties felt by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Diabetes-related distress may lead to pessimism and lower self-efficacy which resulted in a deficiency of self-treatment compliance and can cause further bad glycemic control. Knowing the associated factors of diabetic-related distress and solving them may help T2DM patients improve their glycemic control. Methods: This study is an analytical study with cross-sectional design conducted at Sanglah General Hospital from January to April 2021. The data were taken using the consecutive sampling method; 124 samples were collected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants filled Diabetes Distress Scale questionnaire (DDS17 Bahasa Indonesia). The data analysis was done using univariate (descriptive), bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis. Results: Seventy-five subjects out of 124 (60.5%) had diabetes-related distress. The associated factors of diabetes-related distress one among others are the insulin usage as diabetic therapy (OR= 8.30, 95% CI 2.24-30.72; p = 0.002), had a hypoglycaemia in last 3 months (OR=44.59, 95% CI 4.36-455.51; p = 0.001), had diabetes-related retinopathy (OR=10.28, CI 95% 1.54-68.70; p=0.016), and lack of family support (OR=44.791, 95% CI 10.02-200.22; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our present study revealed that diabetes distress prevalence is predominantly and associated among in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We suggest diabetes-related distress screening and regular health promotion which focus on relationship between diabetes and psychological may be a great potential action to improve public health and patient outcomes.

Practical Guidance on Basal Insulin Initiation and Titration in Asia: A Delphi-Based Consensus.

The global health burden of diabetes is on the rise and has affected more than half a billion people worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia, North Africa, Africa, and the Western Pacific, Middle East, and South and Central America regions of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Despite many new treatments being available for the management of diabetes, glycemic control remains suboptimal in Asia, compared to the rest of the world. Delay in timely insulin initiation and inadequate titration of insulin are regarded to be some of the important reasons for inadequate glycemic control. Additionally, Asian populations have a distinct phenotype, including a younger age of onset and higher glycemic excursions, suggestive of a lower beta-cell function, as compared to non-Asians. Although there are multiple local and international guidelines on insulin initiation and titration, some of these guidelines can be complex. There is an unmet need for guideline recommendations on basal insulin initiation and titration to be simplified and customized for the Asian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A unified approach would increase adoption of basal insulin initiation by primary care and family medicine physicians, which in turn would help reduce the inertia to insulin initiation. With this background, a consensus-seeking meeting was conducted with 14 experts from seven Asian countries to delineate appropriate practices for insulin initiation and titration in the Asian context. The key objective was to propose a simple insulin titration algorithm, specific for the Asian population, to improve glycemic control and optimize therapeutic outcomes of people with T2DM on basal insulin. Following a detailed review of literature and current guidelines, and potential barriers to insulin initiation and titration, the experts proposed a simplified insulin titration algorithm based on both physician- and patient-led components. The consensus recommendations of the experts related to basal insulin initiation and titration have been summarized in this article, along with the proposed titration algorithm for optimizing glycemic control in the Asian population with T2DM.

Transcription factor 7-like 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms rs290487 and rs290481 are associated with dyslipidemia in the Balinese population.

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the major risks for the development of cardiovascular diseases which has been the leading cause of death in developing countries. Previously, common polymorphisms of the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene have been associated with altered lipid profiles. In this study, we investigated the associations of TCF7L2 SNPs, rs290487 and rs290481, with dyslipidemia and altered lipid profile in the Balinese. Methods: A total of 565 subjects from four locations in the Bali Province, Indonesia, were recruited. Serum lipid concentrations (triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC)) were measured using standard protocol. SNP genotyping was done using the amplification refractory system mutation polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method. Results: We found the shifted major/minor allele frequencies of both SNPs (0.56 for rs290487 T allele, 0.53 for rs290481 T allele) in the Balinese, as compared to dbSNP. The rs290487 and rs290481 C alleles were significantly associated with dyslipidemia, particularly high TC and high LDL-C. These associations were independent of age, sex, population, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and high TyG index as a proxy for insulin resistance. The haplotype CC also showed similar association with these traits. Our findings indicate that TCF7L2 polymorphisms are associated with dyslipidemia and altered lipid profile in the Balinese.

Effects of Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) on GLP-1 and DPP-4 Concentrations between Normal and Prediabetic Subjects: A Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND: The extract of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex. Nees. (sambiloto) ( chuan xin lián) has been reported to have an antidiabetic effect on mice models and has been used traditionally in the community. The exact mechanism of sambiloto extract in decreasing plasma glucose is unclear, so we investigated the role of sambiloto extract in the incretin pathway in healthy and prediabetic subjects. METHODS: This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind trial. It included 38 people who were healthy and 35 people who had prediabetes. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the intervention sambiloto extract or a placebo. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive the first intervention for 14 days. There was a washout period between subsequent interventions. The primary outcome was glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentration, and secondary outcomes were fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), and glycated albumin before and after the intervention. RESULT: After the intervention, GLP-1 concentration significantly increased in prediabetes by 19.6% compared to the placebo (p=0.043). There were no significant differences in the changes of fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial insulin, HOMA-IR, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, DPP-4, and glycated albumin levels after the intervention. Sambiloto extract did not inhibit the DPP-4 enzyme in healthy and prediabetic subjects. CONCLUSION: Sambiloto extract increased GLP-1 concentration without inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme in prediabetic subjects. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03455049), registered on 6 March 2018-retrospectively registered (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03455049).

Challenging Diagnosis of Addison's Disease Presenting with Adrenal Crisis.

Primary adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, is a rare but potentially fatal condition resulting from the failure of the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoid and/or mineralocorticoid hormones. Unfortunately, the clinical manifestation of primary adrenal insufficiency is not specific and often progresses insidiously, resulting in late diagnosis, or in severe cases, life-threatening circulatory collapse. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients with unexplained vascular collapse. We report the case of a woman who presented to the emergency ward with unexplainable shock that was later diagnosed as adrenal crisis due to Addison's disease. The presence of hyperpigmentation in patients with rapid progression of adrenal insufficiency suggests the diagnosis of Addison's disease presenting with adrenal crisis.

Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism with Lipid Profile and Ischemic Stroke Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

BACKGROUND: Altered lipid profiles have consistently been linked to cerebrovascular events. Ischemic stroke (IS) was a common comorbid condition established in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene which has a notably critical function in lipoprotein metabolism is believed as one of the potential candidate genes susceptible to IS complications in T2DM. This research aimed to determine the association of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with lipid profile and IS risk in T2DM patients. METHODS: This case-control study involved a total of 60 diabetic participants divided into two groups with and without IS. ApoE was genotyped using PCR and sequencing analysis. RESULTS: The most predominant genotype observed in 27 participants (45%) was E3/E3. Lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found in ε2 carriers (p=0.003; 95% CI -23.35--4.89) and ε4 carriers (p=0.019; 95% CI 1.38-14.55) compared to ε3 homozygotes. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels had no association with ApoE gene polymorphism in this study. ApoE gene polymorphism was not related to IS in T2DM (p=0.06; adjusted OR: 4.71; 95% CI 0.93-23.79). CONCLUSIONS: ApoE ε2 and ε4 carriers were associated with lower levels of HDL-C. No association was identified between ApoE gene polymorphism and IS in T2DM patients.

Chaperone-Based Therapeutic Target Innovation: Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still a global health problem. Current T2DM treatments are limited to curing the symptoms and have not been able to restore insulin sensitivity in insulin-sensitive tissues that have become resistant. In the past decade, some studies have shown the significant role of a chaperone family, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), in insulin resistance pathogenesis that leads to T2DM. HSP70 is a cytoprotective molecular chaperone that functions in protein folding and degradation. In general, studies have shown that decreased concentration of HSP70 is able to induce inflammation process through JNK activation, inhibit fatty acid oxidation by mitochondria through mitophagy decrease and mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as activate SREBP-1c, one of the lipogenic gene transcription factors in ER stress. The overall molecular pathways are potentially leading to insulin resistance and T2DM. Increased expression of HSP70 in brain tissues is able to improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control specifically. HSP70 modulation-targeting strategies (including long-term physical exercise, hot tub therapy (HTT), and administration of alfalfa-derived HSP70 (aHSP70)) in subjects with insulin resistance are proven to have therapeutic and preventive potency that are promising in T2DM management.

Dyslipidemia in diabetes: a population-based study in Bali.

PURPOSE: To establish the lipid pattern in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) and factors that are correlated with insulin resistance and lipid disorders in a population of Bali. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study which enrolled 1840 subjects (age 13-100 years) from 7 villages was carried out. Several clinical parameters were measured including age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) A (apoA), apoB, non-HDL-C, T/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/apoB ratio, apoB/A ratio, plasma insulin, and homeostasis of model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels were higher in DM subjects than in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects in both genders; total/HDL-C ratio was higher in subjects with DM than in NGT subjects only in men; LDL-C levels, apoB levels, and apoB/A ratios were higher and LDL/apoB was lower in subjects with DM than in NGT in women. In subjects with DM, the target for LDL-C (79%), non-HDL-C (85.2%), apoB (80%), HDL-C (34.9%), TG (46.7%), and small-dense low density lipoprotein (42.2%) was not achieved. CONCLUSION: FBG was correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C, apoB, non-HDL-C levels, LDL/apoB, and apoB/apoA ratios. Subjects with DM had higher levels of TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels in both genders; T/HDL-C ratio only in men; LDL-C, apoB/apoA ratio and lower LDL/apoB ratio only in women. Obesity was correlated with lipid levels. WC was correlated with LDL/apoB ratio, insulin level, HOMA-IR, and TG; highest absolute strength of correlation was with LDL/apoB ratio. Insulin resistance was correlated with lipid levels or ratios, especially in women. In women, HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with total/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL-C, apoB, and a negative correlation with HDL-C levels.

The Pattern of Fasting and Post 75 G Glucose Loading of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Levels in Obese and Non-Obese Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of obesity increased sharply recently; it was associated with an increased prevalence of several cardiometabolic diseases. Reduced glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion is observed among obese subjects in many studies, and it may mediate the failure of insulin secretion response to food intake. AIM: To evaluate the pattern of fasting and post 75 g glucose loading of GLP-1 levels in obese and non-obese subjects. METHODS: An experimental study on the pattern of GLP-1 levels in fasting state and response in post 75 g glucose loading in obese and non-obese subjects, was conducted. Sixteen obese and 16 non-obese subjects were enrolled in the study, with age- and sex-matching in both groups. GLP-1 levels were measured at fasting state (0), 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-glucose loading. RESULTS: The GLP-1 response to glucose loading were similar in obese and non-obese subjects, which increased from fasting state to post glucose loading and reaching the peak levels in 15 minutes, then declined until the end of observation. There was tendency that GLP-1 levels in fasting state and post glucose loading were lower in obese subjects compared to in non-obese subjects (in fasting state, 5.67 vs. 6.16 ng/mL, P = 0.338; in 15 minutes, 6.20 vs. 6.94 ng/mL, P = 0.239; in 30 minutes 6.20 vs. 6.90 ng/mL, P = 0.264; in 60 minutes, 5.77 vs. 6.12 ng/mL, P = 0.242), but the difference were not statistically significant, except in 120 minutes (5.24 vs. 6.67 ng/mL, P = 0.049; in obese and non-obese subjects, respectively). Similar finding was also seen in the pattern of response (delta) of GLP-1 from time-to-time observation among obese and non-obese subjects (0-15 minutes [0.52 vs. 0.8 ng/mL, P = 0.350], 0-30 minutes [0.53 vs. 0.74, P = 0.550], 0-60 minutes [0.11 vs. 0.31 ng/mL, P = 0.546], in 0-120 minute [-0.42 vs. 0.31, P = 0.006]). CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of GLP-1 levels post glucose loading were similar in obese and non-obese subjects which increased from fasting state to post glucose loading, reaching the peak levels in 15 minutes and then declined until the end of observation, except in non-obese subjects where the GLP-1 levels were increased at 120 minutes. There was a tendency of GLP-1 levels in fasting state and post-glucose loading to be lower in obese subjects compared within non-obese subjects.

Vaspin in Developing Obesity (Vande-Ob); the Correlation of Waist Circumference and Visceral Fat Percentage with Vaspin Levels in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Vaspin concentration was thought to be associated with obesity, impaired insulin sensitivity, and fitness level. The correlation of vaspin and leptin supports the theory of vaspin associated with body fat mass. AIM: To determine the correlation between visceral fat distributions and serum vaspin level in type II DM patients. METHODS: We conduct an observational, analytical cross-sectional study. Sixty subjects with type II diabetes mellitus who came to Diabetes Center of Sanglah General Hospital were included consecutively. Each subject has to sign an informed consent before physical and laboratory examination took place. Spearman correlation test was used to analyse the correlation between waist circumference and visceral fat percentage with serum vaspin level since the data were not distributed normally. RESULTS: Mean laboratory results in all subjects of vaspin levels was 2.389 ± 3.586 ng/ml, mean waist circumference was 94.95 ± 11.78 cm and mean visceral fat percentage was 18.05 ± 23.63%. We found we found no significant correlation between between vaspin with waist circumference (r = -0.044; p = 0.738) and visceral fat percentage (r = -0.103; p = 0.435). CONCLUSIONS: The vaspin level did not significantly correlate with waist circumference and visceral fat percentage in type II diabetes patients.

A Consensus of Key Opinion Leaders on the Management of Pre-diabetes in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with over half of the global diabetic population residing in this region. Increasing evidence shows that without targeted intervention, the progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently in Asians compared with Caucasians. Furthermore, IGT is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and should be managed as early as possible. Because diabetes is now a major public health issue, strategies aimed at prevention and treatment are urgently required. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss, dietary changes and increased physical activity, play a major role in controlling the disease. Significant evidence also supports the effectiveness of a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacologic therapy, such as metformin, in delaying the onset of diabetes. Although the importance of lifestyle interventions is well recognized throughout Asia, many countries do not have formal recommendations to guide the diagnosis and management of individuals at risk of progression to diabetes. At a recent regional meeting, experts from the Asian region convened to develop consensus recommendations to guide clinicians in the management of Asian patients with pre-diabetes. These consensus recommendations provide a clear and concise approach to the management of individuals with IGT based on the available evidence and current best clinical practice.

The low level of glucagon-like peptide-1 (glp-1) is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone, regulates glucose metabolism by inducing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon secretion. The aim of the study is to assess the levels of fasting and post-prandial GLP-1 and their risk for T2DM. A case control study was conducted at the diabetes clinic Sanglah Hospital Denpasar Bali, involving 40 subjects who were native Indonesian citizens and 18-70 years of age. Twenty subjects were allocated as the case group (subjects with T2DM) and 20 subjects were allocated as the control group (subjects with normal glucose tolerance [NGT]). Both fasting intact GLP-1 (FGLP-1) and 60 minutes post-75 gram glucose loading intact GLP-1 (1hGLP-1) levels were measured. RESULTS: Both fasting and post-prandial GLP-1 levels were significantly lower in subjects with T2DM than those with NGT (2.06 ± 0.43 vs. 2.87 ± 0.67 pg/L, p < 0.01; and 2.49 ± 0.60 vs. 3.42 ± 0.85 pg/L, p = 0.02; respectively). Low levels of FGLP-1 (OR, 13.5; p = 0.001) and 1hGLP-1 (OR, 5.667, p = 0.018), with no response after glucose loading (∆GLP-1), were a significant risk for T2DM. According to the ∆GLP-1, there was a tendency of decreasing response of GLP-1 after glucose loading among subjects with T2DM (∆ = 0.43 pg/L) compared to subjects with NGT (∆ = 0.55 pg/L). CONCLUSION: From this study it can be concluded that levels of intact GLP-1 are an important risk factor for T2DM in the Indonesian population.

Underweight is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease in the population of Ceningan Island, Bali.

A study on the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its risk factors in Ceningan Island was conducted. The prevalence of CHD was 11.5%. Older age (odds ratio, OR, 27.0), underweight (OR, 3.6), systolic hypertension (OR, 4.6), high total cholesterol (OR, 5.9), and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 3.1) were risk factors for a history of myocardial infarction (MI). By logistic regression analysis, only age (B=3.937) and underweight (B=1.275) consistently appeared to be risk factors for MI. The prevalence of CHD in the population was comparatively high.