Diabetes mellitus asociada a pancreatitis autoinmune: caso clínico / Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with diabetes mellitus: report of one case

Autoimmune pancreatitis is uncommon, responds to steroids and is usually associated with diabetes mellitus. We report a 73 year-old male who, two months after a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, presented with obstructive jaundice and weight loss. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of an autoimmune pancreatitis and serum IgG4 was 339 mg/dl (normal range 3-201). The patient was treated with prednisone 40 mg/day with a good clinical and laboratory response. During outpatient care, the dose of prednisone was tapered.

Estudio del control metabólico en pacientes diabéticos en hemodiálisis crónica: hemoglobina glicosilada, fructosamina y glicemias capilares / Study of metabolic control in diabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis: glycated hemoglobin, fructosamine and capillary glycemia

Background: In conditions that may change red blood cell survival, such as hemodialysis, the accuracy of A1c glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to assess metabolic control can be hampered. Other glycosylated proteins such as fructosamine, could accomplish the role of HbA1c. Aim: To assess if HbA1c is a good metabolic control parameter in diabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis. To compare fructosamine, HbA1c and serial capillary glucose levels in the same patients. Material and Methods: Patients on hemodialysis three times per week were studied. Twenty one subjects with diabetes mellitus and 10 non-diabetic patients were included (70 percent were male). During a period of 14 days, fasting and post prandial capillary glucose levels were measured. Venous glucose, HbA1c and fructosamine were measured at the onset and completion of the monitoring period. Results: Diabetic patients were older than their non-diabetic counterparts (65 and 47 years respectively, p < 0.04). In diabetic and non-diabetic patients respectively, capillary blood glucose levels were 161 +/- 22 and 104 +/- 51 mg/dl, HbA1c levels were 6.8 +/- 1.2 and 5.4 +/- 0.4 percent and fructosamine levels were 282.0 +/- 126.6 and 154.6 +/- 73 umol/L. In all patients there was a positive correlation between blood glucose, HbA1c (r = 0.78 p < 0.01) and fructosamine (r = 0.52, p 0.02). There was a positive correlation between mean capillary glucose, HbA1c (r = 0.77, p < 0.01) and fructosamine (r = 0.69, p < 0.02). Among diabetic patients, the correlation coefficients between mean capillary glucose levels, HbA1c and fructosamine levels were 0.67 (p < 0.01) and 0.51 (NS), respectively. Conclusions: Among diabetic patients on hemodialysis fructosamine levels are not a better indicator of metabolic control than HbA1c.

Cistatina C y adiponectina en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 coronarios y no coronarios / Cystatin C and adiponectin in diabetics with and without coronary artery disease

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high incidence of coronary artery disease, which is even higher among those with renal failure. A serum level of cystatin C are used to assess renal function and is a potential cardiovascular risk factor. Adiponectin is an anti-atherogenic factor. Aim: To measure cystatin C and adiponectin in type 2 diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease. Material and methods: Nine diabetic patients with coronary artery disease aged 76± 10 years, 20 diabetics without coronary artery disease aged 61 ±5 years and 20 non diabetic subjects aged 57±10 years, were studied. Results: Serum levels of cystatin C (mg/L) were 1.5 (range 0.89-219), 0.81 (range 0.71-1.08) and 0.68 mg/L (range 055-0.75) in diabetics with and without coronary artery disease and controls, respectively (p <0.0001). No differences in adiponectin between groups and no association between cystatin C and adiponectin, were observed. No association between both parameters and body mass index orglycosilated hemoglobin Ale was observed. Cystatin C had a positive correlation with serum creatinine (r =0.57p <0.001). Conclusions: Diabetics with coronary artery disease have higher levels of cystatin C, that are closely correlated with serum creatinine levels.

Nuevas perspectivas en la genética de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y sus complicaciones crónicas / New perspectives in the genetics of diabetes mellitus and its complications

This review describes the advances in the knowledge about the genetic aspects of common chronic complications of diabetes with prognostic significance, such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases. It is well known that the genetic factors responsible for chronic complications are different from those that cause diabetes mellitus. Until recently, the studies were limited to the analysis of individual genes associated or related to multifactorial diseases. However at the present time the "genome wide association studies" lead to a great advance in knowledge. The analysis of genetic variations or polymorphisms allows the understanding of human individuality and the predisposition towards certain diseases. A new research field appeared in 2004, when small messenger RNAs, called microRNA related to diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications, were identified. The function of these RNAs is to regulate several target genes. These affect insulin secretion and action and genes related to microangiopathic and specific macroangiopahic complications. This new knowledge will identify new genes related to the disease and will allow the development of therapeutic strategies devised according to individual susceptibility towards specific chronic complication.