Evaluation of bone mineral density of the peripheral skeleton in pre- and postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed endogenous Cushing's syndrome.

Objective: Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a well recognized cause of bone loss. Although many previous studies have shown decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spina and proximal femur of patients with endogenous CS, so far, the data estimating BMD in their peripheral skeleton are sparse. The aim of the present study was to evaluate BMD in the forearm and heel of women with newly diagnosed CS and to investigate its possible correlation with serum osteocalcin (BGP) and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels (UFC).

Efficacy of a new needleless insulin delivery system monitoring of blood glucose fluctuations and free insulin levels.

A new insulin delivery system Vitajet has been invented which involves a high-pressure spring and obviates the use of needle injections. To study its efficacy we compared blood glucose fluctuations, integrated glycemia, free insulin and total free insulin concentrations in six insulin-dependent diabetics. After obtaining a steady state of carbohydrate metabolism overnight by feedback control through the artificial endocrine pancreas (AEP) Biostator, the patients received their usual morning and evening doses of insulin by either conventional injection or Vitajet in random order.

The effects of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 on carbohydrate homeostasis of insulin-dependent diabetics as assessed by the artificial endocrine pancreas.

On the basis of the inhibitory actions of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 on growth hormone (GH) and glucagon (IRG) secretion we investigated its effects on carbohydrate metabolism of insulin-dependent diabetics. Six patients with no residual insulin secretion were connected to the artificial endocrine pancreas (AEP) and after the establishment of a steady state overnight they were injected either normal saline or 50 micrograms of SMS 201-995 s.c.