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Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat is a model of severe type 2 diabetes and its complications. These characteristics of SDT rat are very useful to research diseases; however, the slow onset of diabetes may limit the usefulness of this animal model. To solve this problem, we performed bilateral midbrain transection on SDT rats and evaluated whether hyperphagia accelerates the onset of diabetes. By severing ascending fibers from the nucleus tractus solitarius to limbic regions through ventral and dorsal tegmental regions, food consumption was significantly increased in SDT rats and the onset of diabetes was accelerated. Cumulative incidence of diabetes in midbrain transected SDT rats was 88.9% at 7 weeks after surgery (14 weeks of age), while sham operated rats was 20.0%. Increased food consumption was correlated to body weight, plasma glucose level, plasma triglyceride level, and plasma insulin level. In conclusion, the overeating caused by blocking anorexigenic signal in brain significantly accelerates the onset of diabetes in SDT rats. The early development of type 2 diabetes may accelerate microvascular complications and is considered useful in the study of the disease in SDT rats.

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of tamsulosin use on plasma insulin status in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. Standard methods and procedures were used. At 2nd and 3rd months of tamsulosin use, there was a significant increase (P0.05). Plasma insulin at 4th months of the study in BPH patients (45-54 years) treated with tamsulosin revealed a significant increase (P0.05). BPH patients (aged 55-64 years) at 3rd month showed a significant increase (P0.05). In BPH patients aged 65 and above, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in plasma insulin values from 1st through 4th month compared to baseline and other inter mean values comparisons. Plasma insulin at 0th , 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th months of BPH patients of different age groups treated with tamsulosin revealed no significant differences (P>0.05). This study revealed that tamsulosin use in the patients lead to significant increase in plasma insulin level (hyperinsulinemia). Careful and routine monitoring of BPH patients should be done. Patients need enough exercise activities and some drugs can be administered to alleviate elevated glucose or insulin. Keywords: Tamsulosin, hyperinsulinemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, insulin resistance

We examined the prevention effect of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) sprout on metabolic syndrome using a high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet (Western diet; WD)-induced male C57BL/6J obese model mouse. Red clover sprout-lyophilized powder (RC) contained 3.5 mg/g dry-weight of formononetin as a major phenolic compound, as analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Supplementation of 0.3% (w/w) RC in a WD (WD+RC) showed an anti-obesity effect and ameliorated lipid metabolism in the obese model mice. Additionally, fasting plasma glucose levels were significantly reduced in the WD+RC group. Administration of 0.1 mg/kg formononetin reduced the postprandial blood glucose level, as assessed using the oral maltose tolerance test. However, no significant formononetin intake effect was observed on the plasma insulin level. These results suggest that the formononetin contained in red clover sprout inhibits α-glucosidase and thereby contributes to reducing the postprandial blood glucose response in mice.

Objective: to detect the changes induced by STZ induced diabetes on uterine contractility and expression of connexin 43 in pregnant rat and the possible role of L carnitine to detect the role of L Carnitine in a model of diabetic pregnant rat. Method:40 female Sprague Dawley rats were subdivided into four groups; G I (NC): normal pregnant rats, G II (DI): in which rats received single i.p injection of 40 mg/kg b.wt STZ at day 1 of pregnancy, G III (DI+CAR): in which rats received STZ as above, and then at day 3 of pregnancy, diabetic pregnant rats received daily i.p L carnitine injection at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt till end of pregnancy, and G IV (DI+INS): in which rats received STZ as above, and then at day 3 of pregnancy, diabetic pregnant rats received daily i.p insulin injection at a dose of 1 IU/100 g b.wt (till end of pregnancy. Plasma glucose and insulin level, uterine contractility, pathological changes were assessed at the end of the experiment and scarifying of rats. Results: STZ induced DM caused significant increase in plasma glucose level, decreased plasma insulin level, impaired uterine contractility, pathological changes in diabetic group compared to normal control group. L Carnitine caused significant improvement in the studied parameters.

The diet schedule and food intake effect on body glucose is the key problem of the diabetic patient. For type 1 diabetic patients, it is necessary to optimize the diet schedule and insulin regimen to control the body glucose level in the postprandial state. Hence, a closed-loop system containing insulin delivery and diet schedule is required for type 1 diabetic patients. In the current paper, a mathematical model of glucose-insulin is proposed to investigate the glucose profile along with plasma insulin level for type 1 diabetic patients. Four different and most common cases have been considered with the scheduled plan of diet and insulin regimen to simulate the glucose profile along with plasma insulin level. The glucose-insulin model was simulated using MATLAB to investigate the artificial pancreas system. The analysis includes glucose absorption parameters and net hepatic glucose balance (NHGB). The results represent that the proposed mathematical model may be useful to predict the glycaemic status of diabetic patients and personalise it as per their historical data. Index Terms—Glycemic control, Type 1 diabetes, Glucose-insulin modeling, Closed loop control system, Artificial pancreas system, Continuous glucose measurement, Insulin secretion

The objective of this study was to develop a thermoresponsive injectable hydrogel for the sustained release of drugs by taking advantage of host-guest interactions between a hydrophobically modified hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HM-HPMC) and cyclodextrin (CD). A thermoresponsive injectable hydrogel was prepared by simply adding CDs to HM-HPMC hydrogel. The HM-HPMC hydrogel was converted into a sol with a low viscosity through host-guest interactions with CDs. The HM-HPMC/β-CD hydrogel became a gel near body temperature where the host dissociated from the hydrophobic moieties of the polymer in response to the temperature. The yield stress of the HM-HPMC became progressively lower on the addition of β-CD which was desirable in the case of developing an injectable formulation. When the HM-HPMC/β-CD hydrogel containing indocyanine green (ICG) was subcutaneously administered to mice, the fluorescence of the ICG remained relatively constant for 24 h after the administration, which was substantially longer than that for ICG alone or an HPMC formulation. The plasma insulin level was maintained for a longer period of time when the HM-HPMC/β-CD containing insulin was administered and the MRT value was increased by 1.6 times compared to a solution of insulin alone. In addition, the HM-HPMC/β-CD hydrogel formulation showed a prolonged hypoglycemic effect in response to the insulin which was slowly released from the hydrogel. A thermoresponsive injectable hydrogel was successfully constructed from the highly viscous HM-HPMC and β-CD, and the resulting formulation functioned as a sustained release carrier for drugs.

Background: Ascertaining Kraft dynamic insulin response patterns following a 3-h 100 g oral glucose tolerance test seems to be the most reliable method for diagnosing hyperinsulinaemia. However, this test may be too resource-intensive for standard clinical use. Aim: This study aims to see if Kraft patterns can be accurately predicted using fewer blood samples with sensitivity and specificity analyses. Setting: St Joseph Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, United States and Human Potential Centre, Auckland University of technology, Auckland, New Zealand. Method: We analysed the results of 4185 men and women with a normal glucose tolerance, who had a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test with Kraft pattern analysis. Participants were dichotomised into normal–low insulin tolerance (Kraft I or V patterns) or hyperinsulinaemia (Kraft IIA–IV patterns). Sensitivity and specificity analysis was applied to available variables (including age, body mass index, fasting insulin or glucose) both individually and in combination. Results: Out of a maximal combined sensitivity and specificity score of 2.0, 2-h insulin level > 45 µU/mL attained the highest score (1.80). Two-hour insulin also attained the highest sensitivity (> 30 µU/mL, 0.98) and the highest specificity (> 50 µU/mL, 0.99) scores. Combining the 2-h insulin with other variables reduced the sensitivity and/or specificity. Dynamic measures had a better combined sensitivity and specificity compared to fasting or anthropological measures. Conclusion: People with a 2-h plasma insulin level < 30 µU/mL are unlikely to be hyperinsulinaemic. Given that first-line treatment is lifestyle modification, we recommend that a 2-h plasma insulin level > 30 µU/mL following a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test be used to identify the hyperinsulinaemic individual.

Objective: To determine the effects of supervised structured aerobic exercise training (SSAET) program on fasting blood glucose level (FBGL), plasma insulin level (PIL), glycemic control (GC), and insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Riphah Rehabilitation and Research Centre (RRRC) was the clinical setting for this randomized controlled trial, located at Pakistan Railways General Hospital (PRGH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Study duration was 18 months from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Patients of both genders ranging 40-70 years of age with at least one year of history of T2DM were considered eligible according to WHO criteria, while patients with other chronic diseases, history of smoking, regular exercise and diet plan were excluded. Cohorts of 195 patients were screened out of whom 120 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Amongst them 102 agreed to participate and were assigned to experimental (n=51) and control (n=51) groups. Experimental group underwent SSAET program, routine medication and dietary plan, whereas the control group received routine medication and dietary plan, while both group received treatment for 25 weeks. The blood samples were taken at baseline and on the completion of 25 weeks. The investigation of fasting blood glucose level, plasma insulin level, and glycemic control was conducted to calculate IR. Results: Patients with T2DM in experimental group (n=51) treated with SSAET program, routine medication and dietary plan significantly improved FBGL (pre-mean= 276.41±25.31, post-mean=250.07±28.23), PIL (pre-mean=13.66±5.31, post-mean=8.91±3.83), GC (pre-mean=8.31±1.79, post-mean 7.28±1.43), and IR (pre-mean=64.95±27.26, post-mean 37.97±15.58), as compared with patients in control group treated with routine medication and dietary plan in whom deteriorations were noted in FBGL (pre-mean=268.19±22.48, post-mean=281.41±31.30), PIL(pre-mean=14.14±5.48, post-mean=14.85±5.27) GC (pre-mean=8.15±1.74, post-mean=8.20±1.44, and IR (pre-mean=64.49±23.63. post-mean=70.79 ±23.30). Statistically at the baseline the results were not significant (p>0.05), but at the completion of 25 weeks intervention all the variable showed significant results (p

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) is a neurotoxin which causes the depletion of serotonin. Moreover, the serotonergic system is the regulator of the blood glucose level. However, the role of centrally located serotonergic system in blood glucose regulation after D-glucose feed and immobilization (IMO) stress was not clearly characterized yet. Thus the present study was designed to examine the effect of 5,7-DHT administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) or intrathecally (i.t.) on the blood glucose level in D-glucose-fed and immobilization stress models. Mice were pretreated once i.c.v. or i.t. with 5,7-DHT (from 10 to 40 µg) for 3 days and D-glucose (2 g/kg) was fed orally. The blood glucose level was measured at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after D-glucose feeding and immobilization stress initiation. We found that i.c.v. or i.t. pretreatment with 5,7-DHT attenuated the blood glucose level in both animal models. D-glucose feeding causes an increase in plasma insulin level, whereas the plasma cortico...

Background: Oxidative stress induced by hyperglycaemia plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic complications and metformin is commonly used in treating diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to investigate whether metformin at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day could ameliorate oxidative stress and improve plasma insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Twenty one rats (8-10 week old; weighing 190-220 g) were assigned into three groups (n=7 rats per group) i.e. non-DM, DM and DM+metformin (100 mg/kg/day metformin) groups. DM was induced using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and treatments were given daily by oral gavage for four weeks. The levels of plasma biomarkers such as fasting blood glucose, oxidant-antioxidant markers and insulin levels were analysed.Results: Fasting blood glucose, malonyldehyde and protein carbonyls levels were significantly higher while insulin, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly lower in DM group compared to non-DM group. The levels of fasting blood glucose, malonyldehyde and protein carbonyls were significantly lower while levels of total antioxidant capacity, catalase and insulin were significantly higher in DM+metformin group compared to DM group.Conclusion: This study may suggest that metformin at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks reduces oxidative stress status and improves plasma insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats possibly through its antihyperglycaemic action.

This study aimed to investigate the optimum dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO/L) ratio for bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, containing various CHO/L from 1.20 to 12.11. Bullfrogs were fed six diets for 8 weeks and each diet was tested by three replicates. After the 8 weeks feeding, weight gain and specific growth rate increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased, but showed little difference (P > 0.05) as dietary CHO/L ratios ranged from 1.20 to 2.76. Nitrogen retention was significantly affected by CHO/L ratios, and bullfrog fed with CHO/L 6.10 and 1.82 diets showed the lowest and highest nitrogen retentions respectively. Energy retention increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased and bullfrog fed the CHO/L at 1.82 and 1.20 diets showed the highest value. Whole-body lipid and energy levels both increased significantly (P

Male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) characterized with low serum testosterone(T) might have higher risks of diabetes and coronary heart disease partly due to the high level of plasma insulin. Low serum T might also affect the body fat mass(BFM) in patients with IHH. However, the relationship between BFM and plasma insulin level in IHH patients has not been clearly clarified. A total of 22 patients who were admitted to our hospital with IHH and normal glucose tolerance(NGT) confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test and 10 healthy subjects as controls were enrolled into our study. Glucose, insulin, serum T levels, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and percentage of BFM were determined. When compared with controls subjects, patients with IHH had significantly lower T concentrations(1.80nmol/L vs. 19.82nmol/L, P BFM was an independent factor of plasma insulin level in IHH patients with NGT. Disclosure X. Yang: None. Q. Lin: None. X. Hu: None. W. Xu: None. H.R. Deng: None.

The long-term administration of insulin requires the development of new delivery routes. Using a base developed in-house, called HAMIN®, an insulin suppository containing 100 units (U) of insulin was formulated. The suppository was subjected to stability testing at various temperatures and the assay value was monitored. Other physical factors such as hardness, disintegration time, thermal analysis and dissolution were also tested. The suppository released more than 80% of its drug content in 30 min, and was stable for up to 11 months at −20°C. The suppository effect was studied on 11 New Zealand white rabbits, with body weight ranging from 1.6 to 2.1 kg. The results show that there was a marked reduction in glucose content when the suppository was inserted. The average drop in glucose content was 2.7 mmol/L in 15 min from the time of insertion. The maximum drop in glucose content reached 3.9 mmol/L in 2 h. Plasma insulin level, quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, showed a value of more ...

The aim of this study was to investigate serum chemerin and insulin sensitivity alterations due to exercise training below and above lactate thresholds in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-four rats (190 ± 14 g) were randomly assigned to three groups of control (CON), above lactate thresholds (ALT) and below lactate thresholds (BLT) (n = 8). Then after induction of diabetes, BLT and ALT performed an 8-week exercise program on treadmill running (15 and 27 m/min, respectively) at 0° slope, 1 h/day, and 5 days/week. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis. The findings showed that, BLT serum chemerin decreased −27 % compared to CON that was statistically significant (p = 0.042), fasting Glucose level of ALT was significantly decreased 19 % compared to CON after 8-week training protocol (p = 0.02). Also 24 % significant reduction was observed in BLT in comparison to CON (p = 0.005). Insulin sensitivity of BLT and ALT improved 7 and 5 %, respectively, compared to CON and both were not significant. Also, positive correlationship was observed between fasting plasma glucose and serum chemerin but it was not significant statistically. Negative correlationship was seen between plasma insulin level and chemerin concentrations and it was not significant too. Compared with CON, BLT weight was significantly reduced 12 % (p = 0.012). Also 9 % weight loss was observed in ALT due to 8-week exercise training which was not statistically significant (p = 0.058). In summary, 8-week exercise training below lactate thresholds may reduce serum chemerin and improve fasting glucose levels.

Objective To identify potential correlations between baseline plasma insulin level and shifts in metabolic status in psychiatric inpatients. Methods A population of 75 patients was identified for this single-center, retrospective study conducted at a state psychiatric hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Patients were selected on the basis of presence of a baseline fasting plasma insulin level drawn at admission; duration of stay ≥ 12 weeks between August 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015; and presence of metabolic laboratory and weight measurements at baseline and 3 months. Total initial plasma insulin level (≥ 19 µIU/mL or < 19 µIU/mL) was compared to shifts in metabolic laboratory measurements and weight. A secondary analysis was performed to detect association between the numerical values of assessed parameters and the numerical values for plasma insulin measurements. Results The primary analysis found no correlation between plasma insulin level and changes in any metabolic parameter category at 3 (n = 75) or 6 months (n = 30) after admission. Secondary analysis found significant correlations between the numerical values of baseline total plasma insulin level and fasting plasma glucose level at baseline (r = 0.492, P < .001), 3 months (r = 0.247, P = .035), and 6 months (r = 0.723, P < .001). Secondary analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between baseline total plasma insulin level and hemoglobin A1c values at baseline (r = 0.329, P = .004), 3 months (r = 0.455, P < .001), and 6 months (r = 0.517, P = .003). Conclusions Baseline total plasma insulin levels were strongly correlated with parameters affected directly by alterations in glucose up to 6 months after admission but were weakly correlated or not correlated with other metabolic parameters. The results do not support routine use of plasma insulin as a predictor for shifts in metabolic parameters in patients receiving antipsychotic medications.

The present study investigated the effect of parity on plasma insulin level around parturition in Saanen goats. On d -14, -7, 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 from parturition, plasma glucose, NEFA, free AA, cortisol, and insulin concentrations were analyzed in 10 primiparous and 10 multiparous goats. At parturition, BW of primiparous goats was about 75% of that of multiparous ones (P < 0.001) and then their milk production was lower than that of multiparous ones (P < 0.001). At parturition, glucose increased (P < 0.01) in both primiparous and multiparous goats and then decreased (P < 0.01) on d 3 of lactation, remaining higher (P < 0.01) in primiparous than multiparous goats until the end of the study period. In both groups, free AA decreased (P < 0.01) at parturition, returning to prepartum levels (P < 0.01) on d 3 of lactation without difference between groups. Only in multiparous goats, plasma NEFA increased at parturition (P < 0.01), returning to prepartum levels on d 14 (P < 0.01). Changes in glucose and AA could have been caused by cortisol, which increased (P < 0.01) at parturition in both primiparous and multiparous goats, returning to prepartum levels (P < 0.01) on d 7 of lactation, without difference between the parity groups. In multiparous goats, insulin decreased soon after parturition (P < 0.05), remaining at low levels until the end of the study period, whereas in primiparous goats, insulin did not vary until d 14 of lactation, when it decreased (P < 0.05) also in this group. Therefore, between d 3 and 14 of lactation, insulin was higher in primiparous than multiparous goats (P < 0.05). Only in primiparous goats, at kidding, insulin was negatively correlated to BW (P < 0.01), and after parturition it was negatively correlated with milk yield (P < 0.05) and plasma NEFA (P < 0.05). We hypothesize that higher insulin levels in primiparous Saanen goats, which are still immature at their first breeding season, acted to limit both the mobilization of bodily reserves and the capture of nutrients by the lactating mammary gland, thus providing nutrients for their own physical and physiological development.

This study was performed to clarify the influence of liraglutide on gastric emptying in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. In 16 patients, the [ 13 C]-acetate breath test was performed to compare gastric emptying before and after liraglutide treatment. We found two patterns of response, with gastric emptying being delayed by liraglutide in seven patients (delayers) and not delayed in nine patients (non-delayers). The mean increase of the maximum gastric emptying time was 31 ± 4m in (p< 0.01 vs. baseline) in the delayers, while it was only 2 ± 3m in (p= 0.60 vs. baseline) in the non-delayers. The delayers showed a greater early decrease of AUC-PG from 0 to 60 min, despite no increase of the plasma insulin level compared with non-delayers. In conclusion, the effect of liraglutide treatment on gastric emptying shows heterogeneity, and patients can be classified as delayers or non-delayers.

Plant-based remedies have been used to treat numerous diseases for thousands of years in various parts of the world. Azadirachta excelsa or sentang traditionally used by Malay as an agent for lowering blood glucose. The study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic properties of this plant by measuring the plasma blood glucose level, the percentage of HbA1c and the plasma insulin level. Thirty two Sprague dawley rats were divided into four groups which received different treatments. The first and second groups served as positive and negative control were treated with saline respectively while the rats in the third group were received metformin. The fourth group was treated with ethanolic extract of A. excelsa. After 14 days of treatment, the plant extract was significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose and the concentration of HbA1c in diabetic rats by 72.89% and 6.58% respectively. The plasma insulin in diabetic rats was also significantly increased after treated with plant extract. These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. excelsa possess antidiabetic activity by improving the insulin secretion, with consequent decrease in the level of plasma blood glucose and HbA1c.

The clinical aspects and the plasma insulin response patterns in young subjects with mild diabetes are described. Young subjects with mild diabetes have no or very few symptoms and can be controlled by diet or oral antidiabetic drugs. The mild diabetics are divided into two groups according to the fasting blood glucose concentration. Subjects having a normal fasting blood glucose concentration but a diabetic glucose tolerance test are called juvenile glucose tolerance test diabetics and those with elevated fasting blood glucose concentration and a diabetic glucose tolerance test are designated mild juvenile diabetics. It is demonstrated that juvenile glucose tolerance test diabetics have a normal plasma insulin response after i.v. glucose and tolbutamide. The plasma insulin response to oral glucose, however, is weak and slow in comparison to non-diabetics. In contradistinction, mild juvenile diabetics exhibit a weak and delayed plasma insulin response both to i.v. and oral glucose and to i.v. tolbutamide. In comparison with classic juvenile diabetics, juvenile glucose tolerance test diabetics and mild juvenile diabetics have a much higher plasma insulin level during the tests.

The plasma insulin responses of newly diagnosed, untreated, non-obese, middle-aged and old diabetics constitute a wide spectrum of responses varying with the metabolic state. The insulin response pattern after oral glucose in the mildest degree of glucose intolerance is characterized by a sustained rise in the plasma insulin concentration and a delayed decline towards the fasting level with a plasma insulin level higher than normal during the later part of the oral tests. The initial plasma insulin release in the mildest degree of glucose intolerance is, however, quite normal. In patients with more pronounced glucose intolerance the initial insulin response is proportionally more sluggish, and in severe glucose intolerance an overall diminishing of the insulin response obtains. After i.v. glucose and tolbutamide largely the same pattern is seen. The initial plasma insulin release in the mildest degree of glucose intolerance is normal. In patients with more pronounced glucose intolerance the initial insulin response is delayed, while only small changes occur during the later part of the insulin response. In the diabetics a significant positive correlation is found between the fasting plasma insulin and the fasting blood glucose concentration. A significant negative correlation is found in the diabetics between the fasting blood glucose and the increment from fasting to 15-min and 2-hour plasma insulin concentration in the oral tests and the increment from fasting to the 10-min insulin value in the i.v. tests. There is, however, no correlation between the fasting plasma insulin and the 2-hour plasma insulin concentrations in the oral tests in the diabetics. In the i.v. glucose tolerance test a significant inverse correlation exists in the diabetics between the fasting plasma insulin concentration and the increment from fasting to the 10-min plasma insulin value, while such a correlation between the same parameters does not exist in the i.v. tolbutamide test.

The effect of insulin on the ascorbate recycling system in the chicken liver was examined. First, insulin was injected subcutaneously into the chicken, and liver glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase (GSH-DHAR) activity was determined. Insulin increased liver GSH-DHAR activity, but did not affect plasma and liver ascorbate concentration. Dehydroascorbate increased plasma and liver ascorbate levels, and liver GSH-DHAR activity. However, distinct changes in plasma insulin level were not observed by dehydroascorbate injection. In addition, reduction of external dehydroascorbate in cultured chicken hepatocytes could not be observed in an insulin-deprived culture, although the cells reduced external dehydroascorbate in a serum-free culture with insulin. We concluded that insulin affects the ascorbate recycling system as an essential factor in the chicken liver.

Plasma levels of the hormones insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were assessed as indices of growth for individual juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch. Smolts were tagged in April, introduced to seawater in May, and reared at two different feeding levels. Fish lengths and weights were obtained in June, August, September, and November. Plasma samples were obtained in September and November. There was a consistent, robust relation (over both feeding rates and sampling dates) between plasma IGF-I and the instantaneous growth in length of individual fish when growth was measured over a 6-week period. There was no consistent association between plasma insulin level and growth, size, or condition factor. Plasma IGF-I levels were also measured in postsmolt coho salmon captured in September from the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound and were found to be similar to those in laboratory fish.

BACKGROUND High altitude illness (HAI) is a cluster of syndromes which develops due to the injury of the central nervous system produced by the reduction of the partial pressure of O2 in the atmosphere which disappears on decent. The HAI also results in a prothrombotic condition leading to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which cannot be controlled on descent to the ground level. There is no diagnosis in HAI to forewarn of the impending ACS. A protein identified to be dermcidin isoform 2 (dermcidin), produced in the system due to environmental stresses, has been reported to be a potent diabetogenic agent. Investigation was carried out to determine the systemic stimulation of dermcidin synthesis at different levels of altitudes in normal adult male volunteers to assess the feasibility of developing a diagnosis for ACS in HAI due to dermcidin synthesis. METHODS Normal, nondiabetic, normotensive male volunteers (25 - 35 years old, n = 16) participated in the study. The plasma dermcidin level was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by in vitro translation of dermcidin mRNA. The plasma insulin level was determined by ELISA and blood glucose level was determined in a glucometer (Behringer). RESULTS The plasma dermcidin level in the volunteers at ground level was 10 +/- 2.10 nM and increased to 80 +/- 4.62 nM at 15000 feet altitude. For each 1000 feet increase of altitude, the dermcidin level increased by 5.83 +/- 0.21 nM with a Coefficient of Correlation "r" = +0.9405. The increase of plasma dermcidin level was found to be inversely related to the decrease of plasma insulin level from 23 microunit/mL to 5 microunit/mL from sea level to 15000 feet height ("r" = -0.9951) with concomitant increase of blood sugar level from 80 +/- 3.6 mg/dL to 135 +/- 2.01 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the feasibility of a diagnosis of a prediabetic condition by determining the plasma dermcidin level in HAI by simple ELISA which may also be useful to forewarn of the possibility of developing an impending prothrombotic condition in HAI.

The antidiabetic activity of Thea sinensis was investigated in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of genetically type 2 diabetes with hyperinsulinemia. The water extract of Thea sinensis (green tea cold ext) (100 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood glucose of KK-Ay mice 4 and 8 weeks after repeated administration and tended to decrease the plasma insulin level of KK-Ay mice under similar conditions. However, green tea cold ext did not affect blood glucose levels in normal mice. Green tea cold ext decreased blood glucose levels in an insulin tolerance test. These results suggest that the antidiabetic activity of green tea cold ext is derived, at least in part, from a decrease in plasma insulin, due to decreased insulin resistance.

The objective of the current work was to develop and evaluate thermoreversible subcutaneous drug delivery system for Insulin. Thermoreversible in-situ gel system was developed and evaluated both in-vitro and in-vivo comprising of pluronic F-127 alone or in combination with methylcellulose in different ratios. The drug release kinetics and mechanism was predicted by applying various mathematical models to the in-vitro dissolution data. Rabbits were used as animal model following subcutaneous injection to predict various pharmacokinetic parameters by applying Pk-Summit® software. The in-vitro and in-vivo data revealed that the formulation IPM 15/3 consisting of the pluronic F-127 (15% w/v) and methylcellulose (3% w/v) was the most robust and capable formulation for extending the drug release and maintaining basal plasma insulin level between 10 and 40 µU/ml for 240 h (10 d).