Insulin-like growth factors and binding proteins in patients with recent-onset type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: influence of diabetes control and intraportal insulin infusion.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, enhanced values of growth hormone (GH) and IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1). Since the liver is the major source of IGF and IGFBP production, we have therefore examined whether levels of IGFs (IGF-1 and IGF-11) and IGFBPs (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3) differ when insulin is infused into the portal or peripheral vascular system. IGF, IGFBP, and GH levels were determined within 1-3 weeks of diagnosis in 36 patients (ranging in age from 18 to 22 years) with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

[Effect of xenotransplantation of islet cell culture on the course of alloxan diabetes in rats fed a diet varying in protein content].

The authors present data on the protective effect of newborn rabbits pancreatic islet cell culture xenotransplantation of Langerhans' islet beta-cells of rats with alloxan diabetes. This effect was the most marked in rats fed diets with normal or increased protein content. The authors discuss a possible stimulating effect of rabbit islet cell culture xenotransplantation on regeneration processes in recipient rat pancreatic islets.

[Effect of azathioprine on immunologic parameters in patients with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

Azathioprine immunosuppressive therapy prolongs remissions and stimulates residual beta-cell function, suppresses insulin antibody production, reduces the activity of the complement and CH50 components, reduces initially increased cellular immunity parameters (total T and B cell counts, T helper to T inductor ratio, and the count of DR carrier cells) in patients with newly detected insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; this makes this drug effective at the first stages of the disease. When selecting patients for immunosuppressive therapy the following immunity parameters should be examined: complement status, total counts of T and B lymphocytes, T-helper-inductor/T-suppressor-cytotoxic immunoregulation index, DR carrier cell counts. Reduced levels thereof are a contraindication against immunosuppressant therapy.

[Role of nicotinamide in the onset and course of streptozotocin-induced diabetes].

The authors have studied the preventive and therapeutic effects of high doses of nicotinamide on diabetes course in rats with streptozotocin-induced condition. Plasma glucose, glucosuria, C-peptide were assessed at the beginning of experiment and on day 40. Histologic studies were carried out over the course of experiment.

[The immune status in different clinical forms of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

Immune status with reference to the disease duration and genetic factors (HLA-typing) was studied in various clinical variants of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The disease duration appeared the key factor in development of immune deficiency in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Critical immunological values were established (CD5+ cells--1200 in 1 microliter, CD4+ cells--35%, expression of CD5 and antigens HLA class II--110 and 75%, respectively) for septic complications which are highly probable in lower indices.