Evidence for decreasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in childhood apparently produced by prevention of hyperinsulinism in the foetus and newborn.

In view of experimental and clinical findings, it was predicted (Dörner, 1973 and 1976; Dörner and Mohnike, 1973 and 1977) that a preventive therapy of diabetes mellitus may be possible by preventing hyperinsulinism in perinatal life by means of prevention of hyperglycaemia in pregnant women and overnutrition in newborns. Meanwhile, this prediction appears to have been realized. Thus, the prevalences of diabetes mellitus in children, who were born in Berlin/GDR over the past decade, were found to be significantly decreased as compared to those born between 1962 and 1972.

Effect of insulin suppositories in type I diabetic patients (preliminary communication).

Eight type I diabetic patients received a subcutaneous injection of 10 IU regular insulin, or--after a one week interval--a suppository containing 75 IU crystalline insulin, the surfactant Brij 58, and the basic mass. In all patients there was a disease in blood glucose (onset after 20 min, maximum effect after 50 min, end of the effect after 90 min), and the plasma IRI level increased. However, the effect was attenuated in relation to the control test employing s.

Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation in clotting whole blood of healthy and diabetic humans in vitro.

We investigated the ability of platelets from two groups of diabetics type I and two groups of healthy volunteers matched of age to generate thromboxane B2 (TXB2) during spontaneous clotting of whole blood. The serum concentration of TXB2, reflecting the ability of the platelets to generate TXA2 during clotting, was measured by gas liquid chromatography. Platelets from old diabetics with more than 40 years duration of diabetes mellitus formed significantly less TXB2 than those from old healthy controls.

Influence of a cod liver oil diet in diabetics type I on fatty acid patterns and platelet aggregation.

The influence of an eicosapentaenoic acid rich diet containing only 6,8 g cod liver oil daily for 2 weeks in 20 type I diabetics on fatty acid pattern in serum, platelet aggregation and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in serum were studied. There were increases in eicosapentaenoic acid portions in triglycerides, cholesterol esters and phospholipids of serum. This was associated with an inhibition of the platelet hyperaggregation, whereas platelet hyporeactivity is shifted to normal.

[Results of linseed oil and olive oil therapy in hyperlipoproteinemia patients].

Only few informations exist on the effect of different oils and the transformation of these precursor fatty acids to prostaglandins in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Therefore we investigated the impact of linseed oil and olive oil intake resp. on serum lipoprotein levels, platelet aggregation and fatty acid pattern of serum phospholipids and triglycerides resp.

Negative correlation of eicosapentaenoic acid and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes of diabetics.

In 130 type I and II diabetics with normal serum lipids and in 98 diabetics with type IIa-V hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP), liver biopsies were performed if clinically indicated. During histological examinations of one half of the biopsy specimen lipid droplet size was classified into 4 categories, which were proved by morphometric studies, independent of the amount of fat. From the remaining part the fatty acid composition of triglycerides was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography.

[Results of a multicentric study on long term diabetes in the East German population].

In the diabetes population of the GDR by means of the dispensary network of the consulting points 159 diabetics with a duration of the disease of at least 40 years were recognized and investigated on the basis of a standardized documentation material. 23 diabetics had survived their disease for longer than 50 years. The number of benign long-term courses in males was absolutely and relatively higher.

Interrelationships of microangiopathy, plasma glucose and other risk factors in 3583 diabetic patients: a multinational study.

In a multinational study, fasting plasma glucose values in 3583 diabetic patients, aged 34-56 years, were related to the characteristics of these subjects and to the presence and severity of microangiopathy as ascertained by standardised methods. The patients were from nine different populations and ranged in number from 193 to 686 per population (London, Warsaw, Berlin (FRG), New Delhi, Tokyo, Havana, Oklahoma Indians, Arizona Pima Indians, and a national sample in Switzerland). In the total group, mean fasting plasma glucose was 8.

[Fatty acid composition of triglycerides in inflammatory liver diseases in diabetics with and without hyperlipoproteinemia].

In 228 patients with diabetes mellitus (130 diabetics without and 98 diabetics with hyperlipoproteinaemia) percutaneous liver punctures after Menghini as well as biopsies of the subcutaneous fatty tissue were carried out. From the biopsy specimens and from serum the fatty acid pattern of triglycerides was estimated. In 87 patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis and 37 patients with fibrosis no differences in the fatty acid composition could be found.

Decrease of eicosapentaenoic acid in fatty liver of diabetic subjects.

Simultaneous biopsies of liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue have been carried out in 228 patients with diabetes mellitus. In liver triglycerides a marked variability of the fatty acid pattern in relation to fatty degeneration of liver parenchyma has been confirmed. In adipose tissue fatty acid pattern was relatively constant.

The triglyceride fatty acid pattern in arterial wall, adipose tissue and serum of amputated diabetic subjects.

The triglyceride fatty acid pattern [TFAP] in arterial wall, adipose tissue and serum has been estimated in diabetic subjects by gas-liquid chromatography simultaneously. The samples were taken shortly before or during femoral amputation performed under halothane anaesthesia. In addition, in some probands the fatty acids of cholesterol esters of vascular walls have been obtained.

The fatty acid composition of triglycerides in arteries, depot fat and serum of amputated diabetics.

The triglyceride fatty acid pattern (TFAP) in arterial wall, adipose tissue and serum in vivo has been estimated in amputated diabetic subjects by gas-liquid chromatography simultaneously. Besides, in some probands the fatty acid pattern of cholesterol esters of vessel walls has been obtained. In arterial wall the percental content of lauric, myristic, myristoleic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic and linolenic acid was high and that of palmitic and linoleic acid was low, when compared to serum, whereas eicosatrienoic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid were of similar magnitude.

Advantage in management of diabetic coma by intensive care.

A brief review of some therapy results in 763 episodes of diabetic coma from 1960 to 1973 reveals a significant decrease in lethality after institution of an intensive care unit. Present aspects of management are: intensification of shock therapy, potassium substitution and treatment of cerebral edema. The possibly dangerous role of hypotonic solutions is discussed.

[Diabetic coma as a task for intensive therapy].

On the basis of 763 cases with diabetic coma from 1960 to 1973 is referred to the advantages of the foundation of a coma ward as department of intensive observation. It is reported on some successful changes of therapy in recent years. The introduction of methods of intensive therapy has led to a significant decrease of lethality.