Diabetes Research Highlights Recent Breakthroughs in Understanding and Managing Diabetes

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Florida have published three groundbreaking studies in the past year that shed new light on diabetes, its effects on the body, and potential methods for managing the disease. The studies, published in various medical journals, highlight the importance of insulin therapy, family functioning, and adherence to metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes, as well as the relationship between intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and coronary artery disease (CAD)/noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus risk factors.

Key Takeaways:

  • A study of 201 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) found that insulin therapy is associated with platelet dysfunction, particularly in patients treated with dual oral antiplatelet therapy.
  • The same study discovered that patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) have a more advanced disease status and higher atherothrombotic risk compared with non-ITDM (NITDM).
  • Family functioning and adherence were found to be strongly associated with metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes, with combined measures accounting for 49% of the variance in metabolic control.
  • Researchers found that female subjects, matched for age and fitness, have higher intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) compared with their male counterparts.
  • Intramyocellular lipid was correlated with several CAD and prediabetes markers in both male and female subjects, suggesting a relationship between IMCL and CAD/NDDM risk factors.
  • In the final regression model, age, IMCL, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNE-alpha) were the strongest predictors of insulin resistance (IR).

Statistics:

  • 201 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied to assess the influence of insulin therapy on platelet function profiles.
  • 109 children (ages 8-18) and a parent participated in a study evaluating the relationship between family functioning and metabolic control in youth.
  • Nineteen volunteers (21-36 years) completed health and physical activity questionnaires, cardiovascular and body composition evaluation, and assessment of thigh IMCL using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
  • IMCL was 2-fold higher in women compared with men (p < 0.05).
  • Insulin resistance (IR) was significantly higher in female subjects compared with male subjects (p < 0.01).

Sources:

  • Angiolillo DJ, et al. "Insulin therapy is associated with platelet dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on dual oral antiplatelet treatment." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2006; 48(2): 298-304.
  • Lewin AB, et al. "The relation between family factors and metabolic control: The role of diabetes adherence." Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2006; 31(2): 174-183.
  • White LJ, et al. "Cardiovascular/noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus risk factors and intramyocellular lipid in healthy subjects: a sex comparison." Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental, 2006; 55(1): 128-134.