-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Background. Waist circumference (WC) is a simple, easily available anthropometric measurement, giving relevant information about fat distribution and reflecting the degree of central adiposity in children. It appears to be the main risk factor for the progress of the metabolic syndrome. Our aim was to develop age- and sex-specific WC percentile curves for Bulgarian children/adolescents and to compare them with those from other countries. Methods. A representative cross-sectional study of 3 810 healthy Bulgarian children/adolescents (2 052 males) aged 6-18 years, conducted in 2006/07. Body weight, height and WC were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Sex- and age-specific WC percentile curves were constructed using the LMS method. Results. WC increased with age in both sexes (P<0.0001), with higher values in boys at every age and percentile point. This difference became significant from age 11 years onwards (P<0.05). The boys' values continued to increase steeply after this age, while in girls we found a constant continuing increase until the age of 15. Thereafter WC began to decrease and level off. The WC percentile values in Bulgarian children were lower than in US children, higher than in British and Turkish children, and similar to those of their Cypriot peers. Conclusions. For the first time, WC percentile curves were constructed for Bulgarian children/adolescents. A unique standardized method for WC measurement in children is needed for more acceptable international comparisons.
International journal of pediatric obesity: IJPO: an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 04/2009; · 2.00 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Antibodies to alpha-elastin (elastin breakdown product) and elastin sequences devoid of cross-linked regions (linear elastin) are found in the serum of all human subjects and correlate with their respective serum peptide levels. The aim of this study was to determine if the serum level of antielastin antibodies (AEAbs) differs between type 1 diabetic children and nondiabetic children. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM AEAbs in the sera of 45 diabetic children (mean age 12.8 +/- 3.2 years, diabetes duration 5.3 +/- 3.6 years). Twenty-two children presented with vascular complications (group 1), whereas 23 displayed no vascular complications (group 2). The controls were 18 healthy children (mean age 11.9 +/- 2.3 years). Diabetic patients showed statistically significant higher levels of IgM alpha-AEAbs (0.82 +/- 0.26 vs 0.61 +/- 0.14, p = .0013) than the control group. In group 1, alpha-AEAbs showed statistically significant higher level than controls: IgG (0.86 +/- 0.42 vs 0.59 +/- 0.12; p = .0109) and IgM (0.88 +/- 0.24 vs 0.61 +/- 0.14; p = .0001). IgM antilinear elastin antibodies (ALEAbs) in group 1 were significantly lower than in controls (0.462 +/- 0.191 vs 0.652 +/- 0.127; p = .0009). IgG alpha-AEAbs showed correlation with microalbuminuria (r = -.26; p = .05) and IgM ALEAbs correlated with microalbuminuria (r = -.32; p = .035). IgG alpha-AEAbs correlated with neuropathy (r = -.32; p = .035). Group 1 patients displayed a correlation between IgG ALEAbs and retinopathy (r = -.48; p = .023) and IgM ALEAbs and microalbuminuria (r = .52; p = .014). Levels of AEAbs and ALEAbs can serve as immunologic markers of the extent of elastin degradation. These markers may provide a tool to study elastin metabolism and a potential clinical role for AEAbs in the pathogenesis and development of vascular complications in diabetic children.
Journal of Investigative Medicine 01/2007; 54(8):461-7. · 1.96 Impact Factor
-
Ewan R Pearson,
Isabelle Flechtner,
Pål R Njølstad,
Maciej T Malecki,
Sarah E Flanagan,
Brian Larkin,
Frances M Ashcroft,
Iwar Klimes,
Ethel Codner, Violeta Iotova,
Annabelle S Slingerland,
Julian Shield,
Jean-Jacques Robert,
Jens J Holst,
Penny M Clark,
Sian Ellard,
Oddmund Søvik,
Michel Polak,
Andrew T Hattersley
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Heterozygous activating mutations in KCNJ11, encoding the Kir6.2 subunit of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel, cause 30 to 58 percent of cases of diabetes diagnosed in patients under six months of age. Patients present with ketoacidosis or severe hyperglycemia and are treated with insulin. Diabetes results from impaired insulin secretion caused by a failure of the beta-cell K(ATP) channel to close in response to increased intracellular ATP. Sulfonylureas close the K(ATP) channel by an ATP-independent route.
We assessed glycemic control in 49 consecutive patients with Kir6.2 mutations who received appropriate doses of sulfonylureas and, in smaller subgroups, investigated the insulin secretory responses to intravenous and oral glucose, a mixed meal, and glucagon. The response of mutant K(ATP) channels to the sulfonylurea tolbutamide was assayed in xenopus oocytes.
A total of 44 patients (90 percent) successfully discontinued insulin after receiving sulfonylureas. The extent of the tolbutamide blockade of K(ATP) channels in vitro reflected the response seen in patients. Glycated hemoglobin levels improved in all patients who switched to sulfonylurea therapy (from 8.1 percent before treatment to 6.4 percent after 12 weeks of treatment, P<0.001). Improved glycemic control was sustained at one year. Sulfonylurea treatment increased insulin secretion, which was more highly stimulated by oral glucose or a mixed meal than by intravenous glucose. Exogenous glucagon increased insulin secretion only in the presence of sulfonylureas.
Sulfonylurea therapy is safe in the short term for patients with diabetes caused by KCNJ11 mutations and is probably more effective than insulin therapy. This pharmacogenetic response to sulfonylureas may result from the closing of mutant K(ATP) channels, thereby increasing insulin secretion in response to incretins and glucose metabolism. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00334711 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).
New England Journal of Medicine 08/2006; 355(5):467-77. · 53.30 Impact Factor
