Study Reveals "Missing Link" Between Pre-Diabetes & Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 25 Mar 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

New research suggests a "missing link" between the pre-diabetes state and the clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings will be presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Sixteenth Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress, which will be held April 11-16 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle.

Both impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are intermediate states in the transition from normal glucose tolerance (NGT) toT2DM and have been termed as "pre-diabetes". They are associated with a high risk for progression to T2DM.

Hepatic glucose production (HGP) is the principal determinant of fasting plasma glucose (FPG). In the current study, the authors have demonstrated that, in the non-diabetic range, the rise in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration is associated with a mild decrease in hepatic glucose production (HGP) and a marked decrease in the glucose clearance rate.

"During the fasting state, the decrease in glucose clearance results in an increase in FPG concentration which stimulates basal insulin secretion. The rise in fasting plasma insulin concentration, in turn, inhibits HGP, thus attenuating the rise in FPG," Rucha Jani, MD, the study's author said. "The high fasting blood glucose in these subjects can thus be explained by the decrease in glucose clearance. This is an important observation as it provides insight into the pathogenic mechanisms that characterize the 'pre-diabetic' stage."

"Pinpointing the missing link is quite important," Dr. Jani said. "It allows us to identify potential future targets in order to develop effective therapies to prevent the progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes."

This original research is being presented by Rucha Jani, MD, and other doctors at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

These new findings will be presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Sixteenth Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress which will be held April 11 April 15 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle. Dr. Jani will be in the Media Room to discuss these findings on Friday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

About AACE

AACE is a professional medical organization with more than 6,000 members in the United States and 84 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine problems. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine disorders. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine disease, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. For further information about AACE and the Annual Meeting, visit the AACE web site at http://www.aace.com/.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
1000 Riverside Ave., Ste 205
Jacksonville, FL 32204
United States
http://www.aace.com/