Evaluation of hormonal suppression with two contraceptive regimens using ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel.

PURPOSE: Because of the lack of data on hormone levels in the hormone-free interval of the contraceptive regimens with desogestrel and ethynil estradiol, the objective of this study was to compare hormonal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and inhibin B using two contraceptive regimens with those steroids. METHODS: Prospective and randomized study with 21 patients. Eleven patients received a 21/7 regimen (group 1) and ten patients received a 21/2 placebo/5 ethinyl estradiol 10 µg regimen (group 2). RESULTS: We found a significant increase in FSH and LH levels in both groups. There was a significant reduction of inhibin B in the 21/2/5 regimen. No difference in estradiol levels was found. CONCLUSIONS: Steroids withdrawal in the hormone-free interval causes reduced inhibition of the HPO axis. The significant decrease in inhibin B levels of group 2 suggests better suppression of the HPO axis in the 21/2/5 regimen.

Prevalence of Peripheral Polyneuropathy Before and After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Peripheral polyneuropathy (PPN) can occur in diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, and after bariatric surgery (BS). We decided to evaluate PPN prevalence before (PreBS-PPN) and after BS (PostBS-PPN) and to look for variables that may be independently associated with both. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 1467 participants with obesity and without DM before and 10.4 ± 6.8 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to define the presence of PPN and the Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) spent per week, respectively. Using Poisson regression models with a robust estimator, the prevalence of PreBS-PPN and PostBS-PPN was analyzed as dependent variables. RESULTS: Prevalence of PostBS-PPN (10.5%) was lower than PreBS-PPN (20.4%, p < 0.001), with a prevalence of 12.7% post-RYGB and 8.4% post-SG (p = 0.072). In the univariate analysis, PreBS-PPN was associated with post-menopausal status (PMS), older age, and taller height. In twelve regression models, we found an independent association of PreBS-PPN with older age, PMS, and taller height. PostBS-PPN prevalence was associated with a higher fasting glycemia and stature, and a lower MET on univariate analysis, and with higher fasting glycemia, stature and RYGB in four multivariate regression models. CONCLUSION: PPN occurs frequently in subjects with obesity without DM and is lower after BS. SG is not likely to be harmful in the development of neuropathy. Studies of PPN incidence and persistence after BS should clarify these factors.

Effect of Bariatric Surgery on High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol in Non-diabetic Patients with Severe Obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated changes in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) induced by laparoscopic bariatric surgery (BS) in non-diabetic obese subjects with low (L-HDL-C) or normal (N-HDL-C) levels of HDL-C. We assessed whether increased HDL-C is associated with weight loss, serum non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), serum triglycerides (TG), and physical activity (PA) before and 6 and 15 months after BS. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 71 subjects undergoing BS (42 by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 29 by sleeve gastrectomy) were evaluated for the % Excess Weight Loss (%EWL), waist circumference (WC), serum levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, TG, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C, and the degree, time, and energy expenditure related to PA. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA. RESULTS: Levels of HDL-C significantly increased 15 months after BS (p < 0.001) in subjects with low (p < 0.001) or normal (p = 0.017) values at baseline. A similar %EWL, decrease in WC, glucose, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C levels and increase in energy expenditure related to PA, was observed in both groups (L-HDL-C and N-HDL-C) at 15 months after BS. However, the L-HDL-C group presented greater decrease in TG levels compared with N-HDL-C group (p = 0.004). In subjects with increased HDL-C 15 months after BS, there was an association between this increase and the %EWL (p = 0.030), but there was no association with the change in PA. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of PA after BS, subjects with low and normal HDL-C levels at baseline showed an increase in HDL-C after BS, and this increase was associated with %EWL induced by BS.

Prevention of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia using prophylactic single bolus dose of actinomycin D in high-risk hydatidiform mole: a simple, effective, secure and low-cost approach without adverse effects on compliance to general follow-up or subsequent treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of actinomycin D (Act-D) as prophylactic chemotherapy (P-Chem) to reduce postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in patients with high-risk hydatidiform mole (Hr-HM). METHODS: From 1987 to 2006, 265 Hr-HM were selected in a retrospective analysis of a nonrandomized clinical trial of 1090 patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) followed up at a Trophoblastic Disease Center (TDC) in southern Brazil. From 1996 to 2006, 163 received a single bolus dose of Act-D at time of uterine evacuation (Hr-HM-chem group); 102 with the same risk factors did not get P-Chem (Hr-HM-control group). Variables were: number of patients with postmolar GTN who required chemotherapy during follow-up, postmolar GTN morbidity, compliance and operational costs. RESULTS: Postmolar GTN was diagnosed in 18.4% of the Hr-HM-chem patients (95% CI: 12.7-24.7) and in 34.3% of the Hr-HM-control patients (95% CI: 25.1-43.5). Postmolar GTN was 46% lower in P-Chem (RR=0.54; 95% CI: 0.35-0.82; NNT=7). P-Chem adverse effects were occasional and minor. When disease progressed to postmolar GTN, severity was the same, but costs were lower for the Hr-HM-chem group. Compliance with follow-up was high and similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of patients with Hr-HM showed that a single bolus dose of prophylactic Act-D reduced the incidence of postmolar GTN. Compliance and postmolar GTN morbidity were not affected. Treatment costs and emotional complications were reduced. This prophylactic approach can be adopted before uterine evacuation in any TDC that treats Hr-HM patients that present with undelivered moles.

Reproductive outcome after discharge of patients with high-risk hydatidiform mole with or without use of one bolus dose of actinomycin D, as prophylactic chemotherapy, during the uterine evacuation of molar pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether prophylactic chemotherapy (P-chem) with one bolus dose of actinomycin D (Act-D) during the uterine evacuation of patients with high-risk hydatidiform mole (Hr-HM) affects reproductive outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: From 1987 to 2006, 1090 patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) were evaluated at a Trophoblastic Disease Center in southern Brazil; 265 with Hr-HM were selected and retrospectively analyzed. From 1996 to 2006, 163 received one bolus dose of Act-D at the time of uterine evacuation (Hr-HM-chem group); 102 with the same risk factors did not get P-chem (Hr-HM-control group). In March 2009, the number of pregnancies, progression of first pregnancy, and association of low age and low parity with subsequent pregnancy were evaluated. RESULTS: The percentage of patients that became pregnant was similar in both groups (Hr-HM-control: 59.5%; Hr-HM-chem group: 45.7%; p=0.069) and independent of HM progression. Percentages of no pregnancies because of age (> or =40 years) or hysterectomy were also similar. Type of subsequent pregnancy was not statistically different between groups, and the rate of live births associated with pregnancies for which US showed a live fetus was high. Frequency of repeat GTD was unexpectedly high in both groups (4.2% and 6.3%; p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: P-chem did not affect reproductive outcomes for patients with Hr-HM. Patients allowed to become pregnant again in both groups had high rates of live births associated with normal pregnancies. Chances of a subsequent pregnancy were higher in the low age and low parity subgroups.

Polyneuropathy in Severely Obese Women Without Diabetes: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and its complications are prevalent in women and increase with age. Polyneuropathy (PNP) is a complication of obesity and bariatric surgery (BS). In subjects with severe (grades II and III) obesity and without DM who are candidates for BS, the prevalence of PNP and associated conditions are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PNP in severely obese (SO) women without DM or common nutritional deficiencies in order to determine factors associated with the presence of PNP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 450 SO women. They were evaluated with the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, a Sleep Apnea Questionnaire, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, vitamin B12, and postmenopausal (PM) status were also collected. Patients with DM and other common causes of PNP were excluded. To evaluate which variables were independently associated with PNP (dependent variable), Poisson regression models were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of PNP was 11.6%. In univariate analysis, PNP was associated with age, PM status, and diagnosis of systemic arterial hypertension (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.016, respectively), and there was a trend toward an association with sleep apnea risk (p = 0.101). In multivariate analysis, PM status (PR = 2.836, 95% CI 1.735-4.636, p = 0.001) and age (PR = 1.0511, 95% CI 1.031-1.071, p = 0.001) were independently associated with PNP diagnosis in two different models. CONCLUSION: Even prior to BS, PNP is highly prevalent and is associated with PM status and age in SO women without diabetes.

New options in insulin therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To review the new options in insulin therapy for controlling diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. SOURCES: Articles indexed in PubMed were located using the search terms insulin analogs in children and adolescents and reviewed. Information was also obtained from American Diabetes Association and Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes consensus documents. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Information is presented on new analogs of insulin and, for purposes of comparison, the other insulin modalities currently available are also reviewed, focusing on insulin therapies which attempt to approximate basal-bolus treatment strategies to physiology. With the objective of obtaining improved metabolic control, more and more children are being put on multiple daily injection regimes or using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. It is difficult to achieve optimum glycemic control in children due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia resulting from the great variability in dietary intake habits and in physical activity levels. With diabetes type 1, if rapid-acting analogs are given subcutaneously in bolus, they generally reduce hypoglycemia episodes and postprandial glycemia levels, compared with regular human insulin, while basal analogs tend to reduce particularly the number of episodes of nocturnal hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Although the benefits to individual metabolic and clinical outcomes appear modest, the majority of studies demonstrate benefits when insulin analogs are used in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or 2.

[Cardiovascular impact of the autonomic neuropathy of diabetes mellitus]. / Impacto cardiovascular da neuropatia autonômica do diabetes mellitus.

The neuropathic complications related to Diabetes may affect the somatic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. As a result, there are several clinical manifestations of diabetic neuropathy. They can be related to nervous system lesions of the genital, urinary, gastro-intestinal, skin and cardiovascular tissues. The results of these alterations are loss in the quality of life as well as increase of mortality indexes related to sudden death with cardiac arrhythmias and other causes. The cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy probably contributes to the bad prognosis of the coronary heart disease and of the heart failure in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. For diabetologists, the nervous complications of diabetes are the result of an increase influx of glucose to the neuronal and endothelial cells. Evidences show that, with the aim of preventing these complications, the diabetic patients should receive a precocious diagnosis and be instructed for having a good metabolic and blood pressure control. Use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta adrenergic blockers are probably of impact in the prevention of the cardiac autonomic complications of diabetes.

Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome in morbidly Obese Patients Submitted to Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: Comparison of the Results between Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is a state of insulin resistance combined with excess of visceral fat, which contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Nonsurgical treatment of obesity usually improves MetS, but there is no ultimate resolution and weight regain is common. Surgical options like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) result in a significant and sustained weight loss accompanied by improvement of MetS. The aim of this study was to compare the weight loss and improvement of MetS parameters between degree II and III obese patients with MetS undergoing RYGB or SG in a period of 12 months. METHODS: Analysis of medical records of 102 patients diagnosed with MetS (63 undergoing RYGB and 39 undergoing SG) in a reference center (CTO ISCMPA) between 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: After 1-year follow-up, an excess weight loss (EWL) of 77.2 ± 22.5% and of 63.4 ± 20.1% (p = 0.033) was observed in the RYGB and SG groups, respectively. The rate of MetS resolution was very similar (87.3 and 84.6%, respectively; p = 0.971). The percentage of patients with type 2 diabetes was 3.3% for RYGB and 15.4% for SG (p = 0.025). Fasting blood glucose levels followed the same trend with mean values reaching 87.6 ± 16.9 mg/dl in the RYGB group and 97.7 ± 35.5 mg/dl in the group undergoing SG (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients studied, both surgical techniques were safe and effective for MetS resolution in 12 months. However, RYGB was more effective for EWL and improvement of some parameters related to glucose metabolism.

Peripheral polyneuropathy in severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes: Association with low HDL-cholesterol.

INTRODUCTION:: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of peripheral polyneuropathy (PPN) in subjects with grade II and III obesity (Ob-II,III) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) but without diabetes and to investigate possible associated factors. METHOD:: A cross-sectional study was performed in non-diabetic Ob-II,III,MetS patients using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) to assess the presence of PPN. RESULTS:: A total of 24 of 218 non-diabetic Ob-II,III,MetS patients had PPN. Based on univariate analysis, serum levels of LDL-cholesterol (p=0.046) were significantly associated with PPN, while serum triglycerides (p=0.118) and low HDL-cholesterol (p=0.057) showed a tendency toward this association. On a Poisson regression analysis, when the three possible associations were included, low HDL-cholesterol (p=0.047) remained independently associated. CONCLUSION:: In non-diabetic Ob-II,III,MetS patients, PPN defined by the MNSI showed a high prevalence and was associated with low levels of HDL-cholesterol. In order to diagnose that complication, neurological evaluation should be performed in these patients.

Urinary TGF-beta1 reduction related to a decrease of systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes and clinical diabetic nephropathy.

With the aim to determine the influence of reducing systolic blood pressure in urinary TGF-beta1 of type 2 diabetes (DM2) with diabetic nephropathy (DN), 21 subjects with type 2 diabetes and proteinuria >500 mg/24 h were studied. Amlodipine and ramipril were added to their previous antihypertensive treatment for 12 weeks. Urinary TGF-beta1 (UTGF-beta1) was determined at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Plasma TGF-beta1 was determined at 0 and 12 weeks. Subjects whose mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) during treatment were under 140 mmHg were grouped as the better SBP controlled group (n = 11) and those with SBP equal to or greater than 140 mHg were grouped in a moderate SBP controlled group (n = 10). Compared to baseline, mean log UTGF-beta1 at 4, 8 and 12 weeks decreased (-0.22 +/- 0.15 pg/mg; p = 0.04) in better SBP controlled group but not in the moderate SBP controlled group (-0.12 +/- 0.08 pg/mg, p = 0.82). Mean SBP correlated with UTGF-beta1 (r = 0.458, p = 0.0357), and this effect was independent of HbA1c (p = 0.042). By controlling SBP in DM2 subjects with DN we might decrease UTGF-beta1. We propose that reduction of UTGF-beta1 is due to a decrease in renal TGF-beta1 production.

Inhaled corticosteroid treatment and growth of asthmatic children seen at outpatient clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the effect of inhaled corticosteroid use on gain in height and weight of asthmatic pediatric outpatients. METHODS: A one-year prospective cohort study was carried out with 124 asthmatic children aged 3 to 16 years who were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids for at least 12 months, evaluating z-scores for height/age, weight/age, body mass index and parental target height for current age. Exclusion criteria were: birth weight less than 2,500 g, malnutrition, chronic diseases and systemic corticoid use for more than 7 consecutive days. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation for z-scores for initial and final height/age were 0.06+/-1.2 and 0.01+/-1.2 (95%CI 0.05-0.11), respectively; for initial and final weight/age z-scores they were 0.6+/-1.5 and 0.5+/-1.5 (95%CI 1.84-6.6), respectively. These figures did not differ significantly (p = 0.199 and p = 0.808). There was also no loss in stature when children were stratified into well and poorly controlled asthma or into pubescent and non-pubescent groups. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) growth curves, there was no compromise to the height or body weight of children/adolescents using inhaled corticosteroids for more than 1 year at the doses recommended for asthma prevention.

[Nationwide multicenter study on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Brazilian population]. / Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em pacientes com diabetes mellitus do tipo 2 no Brasil: estudo multicêntrico nacional.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in type 2 diabetic (DM2) outpatients from different regions of Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 2,519 randomly selected patients, from 11 hospitals, 2 endocrine and one general public care clinics from 10 cities. Overweight was defined as body-mass index (BMI) > 25 and obesity as BMI > 30 kg/m2. Glycemic control (GC) was evaluated by GC index (GCI = patient's HbA1 or HbA1c/upper limit of normal for the method x 100). RESULTS: 39% of the population studied was male, the mean age was 58.8 +/- 11.6 y, the duration from clinical diagnosis of DM2 was 9.0 +/- 7.3y, and BMI was 28.3 +/- 5.2 kg/m2. No measurements of BMI were recorded from 265 patients (10.5%). Patients from the Northeast presented lower BMI as compared with those from the Midwest, Southeast and South areas, respectively (26.4 +/- 4.7 vs. 27.9 +/- 4.8 vs. 29.2 +/- 5.1 vs. 29.4 +/- 5.4 kg/m2; p < 0.001). A greater prevalence of obesity was observed in the Southeast and South areas as compared to the Northeast (p < 0.001), as well as in the female group, respectively (69% vs. 31%; p < 0.001). Normal weight patients presented lower GCI. Patients being treated with two or more oral drugs and an association of insulin plus oral drug presented greater BMI values than those being treated with diet, oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin p < 0.001. The BMI of patients treated by a specialist did not differ from those treated by a generalist. CONCLUSIONS: 75% of our sample was out of adequate BMI and 30% was obese. The percentage of patients with overweight and obesity was comparable to those found in similar European studies but still lower than those found in the USA. The prevalence of obesity in diabetic patients was three times higher than in the overall Brazilian population according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Baseline characteristics and risk factors for ulcer, amputation and severe neuropathy in diabetic foot at risk: the BRAZUPA study.

BACKGROUND: Studies on diabetic foot and its complications involving a significant and representative sample of patients in South American countries are scarce. The main objective of this study was to acquire clinical and epidemiological data on a large cohort of diabetic patients from 19 centers from Brazil and focus on factors that could be associated with the risk of ulcer and amputation. METHODS: This study presents cross sectional, baseline results of the BRAZUPA Study. A total of 1455 patients were included. Parameters recorded included age, gender, ethnicity, diabetes and comorbidity-related records, previous ulcer or amputation, clinical symptomatic score, foot classification and microvascular complications. RESULTS: Patients with ulcer had longer disease duration (17.2 ± 9.9 vs. 13.2 ± 9.4 years; p < 0.001), and poorer glycemic control (HbA1c 9.23 ± 2.03 vs. 8.35 ± 1.99; p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for ulcer were male gender (OR 1.71; 95 % CI 1.2-3.7), smoking (OR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.09-2.89), neuroischemic foot (OR 20.34; 95 % CI 9.31-44.38), region of origin (higher risk for those from developed regions, OR 2.39; 95 % CI 1.47-3.87), presence of retinopathy (OR 1.68; 95 % CI 1.08-2.62) and absence of vibratory sensation (OR 7.95; 95 % CI 4.65-13.59). Risk factors for amputation were male gender (OR 2.12; 95 % CI 1.2-3.73), type 2 diabetes (OR 3.33; 95 % CI 1.01-11.1), foot at risk classification (higher risk for ischemic foot, OR 19.63; 95 % CI 3.43-112.5), hypertension (lower risk, OR 0.3; 95 % CI 0.14-0.63), region of origin (South/Southeast, OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.1-4.42), previous history of ulcer (OR 9.66; 95 % CI 4.67-19.98) and altered vibratory sensation (OR 3.46; 95 % CI 1.64-7.33). There was no association between either outcome and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Ulcer and amputation rates were high. Age at presentation was low and patients with ulcer presented a higher prevalence of neuropathy compared to ischemic foot at risk. Ischemic disease was more associated with amputations. Ethnical differences were not of great importance in a miscegenated population.

Sympathetic dysfunction in type 1 diabetes: association with impaired myocardial blood flow reserve and diastolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to explore the relationships of early diabetic microangiopathy to alterations of cardiac sympathetic tone and myocardial blood flow (MBF) regulation in subjects with stable type 1 diabetes. BACKGROUND: In diabetes, augmented cardiac sympathetic tone and abnormal MBF regulation may predispose to myocardial injury and enhanced cardiac risk. METHODS: Subject groups comprised healthy controls (C) (n = 10), healthy diabetic subjects (DC) (n = 12), and diabetic subjects with very early diabetic microangiopathy (DMA+) (n = 16). [(11)C]meta-hydroxyephedrine ([(11)C]HED) and positron emission tomography (PET) were used to explore left ventricular (LV) sympathetic integrity and [(13)N]ammonia-PET to assess MBF regulation in response to cold pressor testing (CPT) and adenosine infusion. RESULTS: Deficits of LV [(11)C]HED retention were extensive and global in the DMA+ subjects (36 +/- 31% vs. 1 +/- 1% in DC subjects; p < 0.01) despite preserved autonomic reflex tests. On CPT, plasma norepinephrine excursions were two-fold greater than in C and DC subjects (p < 0.05), and basal LV blood flow decreased (-12%, p < 0.05) in DMA+ but not in C or DC subjects (+45% and +51%, respectively). On adenosine infusion, compared with C subjects, MBF reserve decreased by approximately 45% (p < 0.05) in DMA+ subjects. Diastolic dysfunction was detected by two-dimensional echocardiography in 5 of 8 and 0 of 8 consecutively tested DMA+ and DC subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Augmented cardiac sympathetic tone and responsiveness and impaired myocardial perfusion may contribute to myocardial injury in diabetes.

Sympathetic modulation of the renal glucose transporter GLUT2 in diabetic rats.

We have previously shown that the abolition of renal sympathetic nervous activity (RSNA) can influence cortical GLUT1 expression in diabetic rats. However, no study has examined the effects of nervous activity on expression of GLUT2, the major glucose transporter in proximal renal tubules, which participates in renal glucose handling. The aim of this study was to determine whether sympathetic activity modulates renal GLUT2 content. We studied diabetic and nondiabetic rats with normal, low, or high RSNA. The low-RSNA experiment used four groups of Wistar male rats: Wistar sham-operated, Wistar renal-denervated, Diabetic sham-operated, and Diabetic renal-denervated. The high-RSNA experiment used four groups of Wistar-Kyoto male rats: WKY (control), WKY-Diabetic, SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rats), and SHR-Diabetic. Renal denervation was confirmed by a decrease in intrarenal norepinephrine levels and sympathetic hyperactivity, by measurement of RSNA. Western blotting was used to determine the renal cortical GLUT2 protein content, and 24-h urinary sodium and glucose levels were also evaluated. Compared with controls (Wistar and WKY), diabetes increased the GLUT2 protein content in normal-RSNA Diabetics (47%) and WKY-Diabetics (83%). The renal denervation-induced decrease in RSNA reduced the GLUT2 content in both normal and diabetic rats (-21% and -15%, respectively). Compared to WKY rats, SHR presented elevated RSNA and also showed an increase in renal GLUT2 content (17%). Diabetes caused a major increase in GLUT2 protein (52%) in the SHR. These results demonstrate a direct relationship between RSNA and GLUT2 levels; they also reveal an additive effect of sympathetic hyperactivity and diabetes on GLUT2 expression, suggesting a new mechanism for modulating protein expression in renal tissue.

Metabolic syndrome resolution by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a real world: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), compared with nonsurgical treatment (NS group), as an instrument for inducing remission of co-morbidities related to Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in patients with Obesity, grades 2 and 3 (Ob2,3). METHODS: two hundred and fifty eight Ob2,3 patients were selected in a retrospective analysis and included in a case control study. MetS was defined as described by the International Diabetes Federation. One hundred and twenty-nine of these patients underwent RYGB (S group), and 129 were assessed as an NS group. RESULTS: at baseline, S and NS groups did not differ in BMI, age, female sex and prevalence of MetS (p>0.05). For the S group the outcomes were a reduction in BMI of 38.1% (p<0.001), waist circumference of 28.6% (p<0.001), fasting plasma glucose of 10.5% (p<0.001), serum LDL-cholesterol of 21.9% (p<0.001) and of 85% in the number of patients with MetS (p<0.001). For the NS group, only a decrease of 4.12%(p=0.047) in triglyceride levels and of 5.9%(p=0.031) in Diastolic Blood Pressure was observed. In the NS group, 98.6% of the patients continued to have MetS. The number needed to treat (NNT) with surgery to resolve one case of MetS was 1.2 (CI 95%: 1.1 - 1.4). CONCLUSION: in the real world, in the South of Brazil, compared with NS treatment and after 1 year of observation, RYGB is highly effective for decreasing the prevalence of MetS.

Impact of renal denervation on renal content of GLUT1, albuminuria and urinary TGF-beta1 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In long-term diabetes mellitus, the progression of nephropathy has been related to the occurrence of autonomic neuropathy. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of bilateral denervation of the kidneys of streptozotocin-diabetic rats, an experimental model that presents diabetic nephropathy with increased abundance of cortical GLUT1 in the kidney and increased urinary excretion of albumin and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). Twenty-four-hour urinary TGF-beta1 (ELISA), urinary albumin (electroimmunoassay) and GLUT1 protein levels (Western blotting) in the renal cortex and medulla were evaluated in diabetic (n=13) and control (n=13) rats 45 days after streptozotocin injection, submitted or not to surgical renal denervation. Evaluations were performed 15 days after the surgery. The effects of renal denervation were confirmed by intra-renal decrease of norepinephrine levels. Mean arterial pressure did not differ between diabetic and control rats, whether they underwent renal denervation or not. Renal denervation increased cortical (6905+/-287, 3506+/-193, 4144+/-246 and 5204+/-516 AU in renal-denervated controls, controls, renal-denervated diabetics and diabetics, respectively) and medullar GLUT1 protein in control rats, but reverted the cortical GLUT1 protein rise determined by diabetes. Although kidney denervation in diabetic rats induced a decrease in cortical GLUT1 abundance toward normal levels, these levels did not reach those of normal animals. However, renal denervation did not determine any changes in urinary albumin and urinary TGF-beta1 in both diabetic (127.3+/-12 microg/24 h and 111.8+/-24 ng mg(-1) creatinine, respectively) and control rats (45.9+/-3 microg/24 h and 13.4+/-4 ng mg(-1) creatinine, respectively). In conclusion, early-phase renal denervation in streptozotocin-diabetic rats produces a normalisation of previously elevated cortical GLUT1 protein content, but is not enough for reverting the increased urinary TGF-beta1 and albuminuria of diabetes.

[Latin American consensus on hypertension in patients with diabetes type 2 and metabolic syndrome]. / Consenso latinoamericano de hipertensión en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 y síndrome metabólico.

The present document has been prepared by a group of experts, members of Cardiology, Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Diabetes societies of Latin American countries, to serve as a guide to physicians taking care of patients with diabetes, hypertension and comorbidities or complications of both conditions. Although the concept of metabolic syndrome is currently disputed, the higher prevalence in Latin America of that cluster of metabolic alterations has suggested that metabolic syndrome is useful nosography entity in the context of Latin American medicine. Therefore, in the present document, particular attention is paid to this syndrome in order to alert physicians on a particular high- risk population, usually underestimated and undertreated. These recommendations results from presentation and debates by discussion panels during a 2-day conference held in Bucaramanga, in October 2012, and all the participants have approved the final conclusions. The authors acknowledge that the publication and diffusion of guidelines do not suffice to achieve the recommended changes in diagnostic or therapeutic strategies, and plan suitable interventions overcoming both physicians and patients from effectively adhering to guideline recommendations.

[Latin American consensus on hypertension in patients with diabetes type 2 and metabolic syndrome]. / Consenso latino-americano de hipertensão em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 e síndrome metabólica.

The present document has been prepared by a group of experts, members of cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine, nephrology and diabetes societies of Latin American countries, to serve as a guide to physicians taking care of patients with diabetes, hypertension and comorbidities or complications of both conditions. Although the concept of metabolic syndrome is currently disputed, the higher prevalence in Latin America of that cluster of metabolic alterations has suggested that metabolic syndrome is a useful nosography entity in the context of Latin American medicine. Therefore, in the present document, particular attention is paid to this syndrome in order to alert physicians on a particular high-risk population, usually underestimated and undertreated. These recommendations result from presentations and debates by discussion panels during a 2-day conference held in Bucaramanga, in October 2012, and all the participants have approved the final conclusions. The authors acknowledge that the publication and diffusion of guidelines do not suffice to achieve the recommended changes in diagnostic or therapeutic strategies, and plan suitable interventions overcoming knowledge, attitude and behavioural barriers, preventing both physicians and patients from effectively adhering to guideline recommendations.