Tag Archive for: Insulin

COVID-19 INCREASES RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES - دیابت از عوارض کرونا

Incidence of newly diagnosed diabetes after Covid-19. Diabetologia 2022. People who have had Covid-19 are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is the result of a study by DDZ, DZD and IQVIA, which has now been published in ‘Diabetologia’.

Studies show that the human pancreas can also be a target of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 virus). Following a Covid-19 infection, reduced numbers of insulin secretory granules in beta cells and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion have been observed. In addition, after Covid-19 disease, some patients developed insulin resistance and had elevated blood glucose levels although they had no previous history of diabetes. SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to a strong release of pro-inflammatory signaling substances (cytokines). Activation of the immune system may persist for months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and impair insulin effectiveness (muscle, fat cells, liver).

To date, however, it is unclear whether these metabolic changes are transient or whether Covid-19 disease increases the risk of persisting diabetes. To investigate this question, researchers from the German Diabetes Center (DDZ), German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and IQVIA (Frankfurt) conducted a retrospective cohort study.

The cohort study included a representative panel of 1,171 physician practices across Germany (March 2020 to January 2021: 8.8 million patients). Follow-up continued until July 2021. “The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of diabetes after infection with SARS-CoV-2,” said first author Wolfgang Rathmann, head of the Epidemiology Research Group at the DDZ. As a control group, the researchers selected people with acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURI), which are also frequently caused by viruses. The two cohorts were matched for sex, age, health insurance, month of Covid-19 or AURI diagnosis, and comorbidities (obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke). Patients on corticosteroid therapy were excluded from the study.

Release date: 21 March 2022
Source: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD

The artificial pancreas can help protect very young children with Type 1 Diabetes - تحولی جدید در درمان دیابت کودکان

Members of the Hovorka Group teamed with an international team of researchers have compared the performance, in children, of the artificial pancreas against ‘sensor-augmented pump therapy’. The artificial pancreas uses an algorithm run by a mobile phone app (CamAPS FX) to automate delivery of insulin according to need. They found that it is both safe to use and more effective at managing their blood sugar levels than current technology. The research is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

CamAPS FX has been shown to work in older children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Today’s study is the first time that it has been shown to be effective over several months in very young children. Management of type 1 diabetes is challenging in very young children for several reasons including high variability in levels of insulin required and unpredictable eating and activity patterns. Children are particularly at risk of dangerously low and high blood sugar levels, which can lead to adverse outcomes.

Current technology – sensor-augmented pump therapy – requires parents to review their child’s glucose levels using a monitor and then manually adjust the amount of insulin administered by the pump. These devices have proved successful to an extent in older children, but not in very young children.

On average, children spent around three-quarters of their day (71.6%) in the target range for their glucose levels when using CamAPS FX – an additional 125 minutes per day in the target range compared to those using the currently available approach.

 

Release date: 20 January  2021
Source: University of Cambridge 

Association between Standing and Insulin Sensitivity Standing More May Help Prevent Chronic Diseases - اهمیت ایستادن در افراد چاق

Insulin is a key hormone in energy metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Normal insulin function in the body may be disturbed by e.g. overweight, leading to decreased insulin sensitivity and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In a Finnish collaborative study of Turku PET Centre and UKK institute, the researchers noticed that standing is associated with better insulin sensitivity. Increasing the daily standing time may therefore help prevent chronic diseases.

Type 2 diabetes is one the most common lifestyle diseases worldwide, and its onset is usually preceded by impaired insulin sensitivity, i.e. insulin resistance. This refers to a state in which the body does not react to insulin normally, and the blood glucose levels rise.

Lifestyle has a strong impact on insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes, and regular physical activity is known to have an important role in the prevention of these issues. However, so far, little is known about the impact of sedentary behaviour, breaks in sitting, and standing on insulin resistance.

In a study of Turku PET Centre and UKK institute, the researchers investigated the associations between insulin resistance and sedentary behaviour, physical activity and fitness in inactive working-age adults with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In the study published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, the researchers observed that standing is associated with better insulin sensitivity independently of the amount of daily physical activity or sitting time, fitness level, or overweight.

Release date: 10 September 2021
Source: University of Turku