Plasma > THE ETIOLOGY OF DIABETES MELLITUS

THE ETIOLOGY OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, resulting in glucose intolerance. It occurs in 4-5 million persons in the United States (approximately 2% of the population). The classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus result from abnormal glucose metabolism. The lack of insulin activity results in failure of transfer of glucose from the plasma into the cells. This situation so called "starvation in the midst of plenty".

The body responds as if it were in the fasting state, with stimulation of glucogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and lipolysis producing ketone bodies.The glucose absorbed during a meal is not metabolized at the normal rate and therefore accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia) to be excreted in the urine (glycosuria). Glucose in the urine causes osmotic diuresis, leading to increase urine production (polyuria). Stimulation of protein breakdown to provide amino acids for gluconeogenesis results in muscle wasting and weight loss. These classic symptoms occur only in patients with severe insulin deficiency, most commonly in type I diabetes. Many patients with type II diabetes do not have these symptoms and present with one of the complications of diabetes.Generally, there are two types of diabetes: Type I Diabetes Mellitus (insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) and Type II Diabetes Mellitus (non-insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM).Type I Diabetes Mellitus (insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) is due to destruction of pancreatic B cells.

The cause of B cell destruction in type I diabetes is unknown. A few cases have followed viral infections, most commonly with coxsakievirus B or mumps virus. Autoimmunity is believed to be the major mechanism involved. Islet cell autoantibodies are present in the serum of 90% of newly diagnosed cases. Such antibodies are directed against several cell components, including cytoplasmic and membrane antigens or against insulin itself (IgG and IgE antibodies).

Sensitized T lymphocytes with activity against B cells have also been demonstrated in some patients.Plasma insulin levels are very low or even absent in type I diabetes, and ketoacidosis develops if the patients do not receive exogenous insulin. Type I diabetes occurs most commonly in juveniles, with the highest incidence worldwide among the 10- to 14-year-old group, but occasionally occurs in adults, especially the nonobese and those who are elderly when hyperglycemia first appears.The etiology of type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) is even less clearly understood. Two factors have been identified: a) Impaired insulin release-basal secretion of insulin is often normal, but the rapid release of insulin follows a meal is greatly impaired, resulting in failure of normal handling of a carbohydrate load. In most patients, some level of insulin secretion is maintained, so that the abnormality of glucose metabolism is limited and ketoacidosis is uncommon. In these patients, insulin secretion can be stimulated by drugs such as sulfonylureas.

Exogenous insulin is therefore not essential in treatment. It also have been suggested that inheritance of a defective pattern of insulin secretion is responsible for the familial tendency of diabetes. The genetic factor is very strong in type II diabetes, with a history of diabetes present in about 50% of first degree relatives.b) Insulin resistance-a defect in the tissue response to insulin is believed to play a major role. This phenomenon is called insulin resistance and is caused by defective insulin receptors on the target cells. Insulin resistance occurs in association with obesity and pregnancy.

In normal individuals who become obese or pregnant, the B cells secrete increased amounts of insulin to compensate. Patients who have genetic susceptibility to diabetes cannot compensate because of their inherent defect in insulin secretion. Thus, type II diabetes is frequently precipitated by obesity and pregnancy. In a few patients with extreme insulin resistance, antibodies against the receptors have been demonstrated in plasma. These antibodies are mostly of the IgG class and act against the insulin receptors, causing the decreased numbers of insulin receptors and defective binding of insulin to receptors.Other specific types of diabetes mellitus includes maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), diabetes due to mutant insulin, diabetes due to mutant insulin receptors, diabetes mellitus associated with a mutation of mitochondrial DNA and obese type 2 patients..

<u>www.medical-explorer.com</u>

Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

(ContentDesk) September 5, 2005 -- After carefully listening to clients' feedback and considering their needs, IMPACT 210 STUDIOS followed their advices on how to optimize its studio and services beyond today's top industry standards. "When accomplished photographers like Xander Angeles and Helene DeLillo express their complete satisfaction with their experience at IMPACT 210 STUDIOS, we can rest assured that our efforts have been recognized and well-utilized," says IMPACT 210 President Michael Fomkin. In celebration of the opening of its photo studio, IMPACT 210 would like to invite photographers to take a tour of our 5,000 square foot state of the art facility, complete with 1,000 square foot photo studio. Top photographers including Xander Angeles (www.xanderangeles.com), Helene DeLillo (www.helenedelillo.com), Alex Norden (www.alexnorden.com),...

Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

Plasma > Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

6 Ways To Fund Your New Business

I'm often asked: what is the best way to finance a new business venture. This question is usually followed by "So, do you ever invest in new business ventures?"

The answers, respectively, are: 1. there is no "best" way to fund a new business; and 2. I do invest in new business ventures, but darn it I can't today because I left my checkbook in my other suit.

The truth is there are a variety of ways to finance a new business and which way is best for you depends totally on your product, your market, your financial requirements, your burn rate, and most importantly, your personal and financial situation.

So with that in mind, here are a few of the most common ways to finance a new business without hitting old Tim up for a loan. Keep in mind that all methods have pros and cons and some (or most) may not work for your specific situation.

No matter what financing method you choose thoroughly investigate the ups and downs and don't jump in...

6 Ways To Fund Your New Business

Plasma > 6 Ways To Fund Your New Business

Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

Plasma > Discount Rates at Impact 210 Studios: www.impact210studios.com

The Perfect Holiday Accessories for the $100 Billion Market. Extend the life of your electronics with simple preventative maintenance.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), sales of consumer electronics (CE) goods such as computers, LCDs, flat panel TVs and digital cameras and camcorders are estimated to total over $100 billion this year. The estimate represents a 5% increase over 2003 expenditures, which reached approximately $96.3 billion. As consumers continue to purchase expensive CE products, particularly during the holiday season, many fail to take the proper steps to protect their investments for the long run. This holiday season, Falcon Safety Products is offering a wide variety of inexpensive "stocking stuffer" type products that could add years to the lives of those expensive CE gifts. "The consumer electronics market has experienced such incredible growth, as advanced technology has gone from being out of reach to being expensive but attainable," said Ken Newman, Product Manager of Computer and Office Brands for Falcon.

"Over the past few years, prices of items such as plasma and...

The Perfect Holiday Accessories for the $100 Billion Market. Extend the life of your electronics with simple preventative maintenance.

Plasma > The Perfect Holiday Accessories for the $100 Billion Market. Extend the life of your electronics with simple preventative maintenance.

Copper Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources

The first evidence to show copper as an essential element for the formation of hemoglobin was studied by E.B. Hart in 1928.

Dietary Sources: Copper is found in fresh and dried fruit, green and leafy vegetables. It is available in liver, kidney, shellfish, and dried legumes. Milk is poor in copper.

Copper is widely distributed in nature. Soft water has more copper than the reservoir water. Even poor diets provide enough for human needs.

Functions in the Body: It is required for absorption of iron. It is good for the bones, and regulates sugar.

Tiny amounts of copper are necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. In normal serum, a copper-containing globulin ceruloplasmin, is found to occur. It catalyses the oxidation of the ferrous ion to ferric ion, and thereby enables iron to be trapped by transferring, the protein carrying iron in the body. It is then transported to tissues for the synthesis of iron-containing compounds, mainly...

Copper Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources

Plasma > Copper Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources