A pilot study about the development and characterization of a Roux en Y gastric bypass model in obese Yucatan minipigs

Performing the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) in obese Yucatan minipigs provides an opportunity to explore the mechanisms behind the effects of this surgery in controlled environmental and nutritional conditions. We hypothesized that RYGBP in these minipigs would induce changes at multiple levels, as in obese humans. We sought to characterize RYGBP in a diet-induced obese minipig model, compared with a pair-fed sham group. After inducing obesity with an ad libitum high-fat/high-sugar diet, we performed RYGBP (n = 7) or sham surgery (n = 6). Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed before and after surgery. Histological analyses were conducted to compare the alimentary limb at sacrifice with tissue sampled during RYGBP surgery. One death occurred in the RYGBP group at postoperative day (POD) 3. Before sacrifice, weight loss was the same across groups. GLP-1 secretion (OGTT) was significantly higher at 15, 30 and 60 min at POD 7, and at 30 and 60 min at POD 30 in the RYGBP group. Incremental insulin area under the curve increased significantly after RYGBP (p = 0.02). RYGBP induced extensive remodeling of the alimentary limb. Results show that RYGBP can be safely performed in obese minipigs, and changes mimic those observed in humans.

Outcomes of Transsphenoidal Surgery in Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas

Growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (PA) make up 15 to 20% of total amount of hormonally active adenomas. In addition to acromegaly and gigantism, these tumors cause deep metabolic disturbances. Its systemic impact leads to increased mortality ratio of 1.32 compared with general population. Surgical removal remains the priority treatment option in controlling acromegaly and provides endocrinologic remission in up to 72% patients. A total of 92 patients were included in the study. All surgeries were performed via microscopic transsphenoidal approach (TSA) by the senior author in our institution between December 2009 and October 2019. Only patients who were followed-up with 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), GH, and insulin-like growth factor I (IFG-I) measurements preoperatively, 1 week, and every 6 months postoperatively were analyzed. Based on standard preoperative 1.5-T MR imaging with contrast enhancement, the adenomas were identified and distributed according to the size and KNOSP classification. The efficacy depends on KNOSP grade, which is directly correlated with invasiveness to cavernous sinus (CS). Grades 3 and 4 are unfavorable factors influencing prognosis. Excluding grade 0 adenomas, as the surgery was not difficult with the excellent outcomes, we reached 75% (36 out of 48) remission in grade 1 to 2 groups. In contrast, only 17% (2 out of 12) had successful outcomes after surgery alone. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the efficiency of TS surgery in patients with confirmed GH-secreting PA.

Limiting the Use of Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests to Screen for Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy during Pandemics

We aimed to evaluate each proposal of Australian–New Zealand Societies to limit the number of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) to diagnose hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At our university hospital (2012–2016), we retrospectively applied in 4245 women who had OGTT between 22 and 30 weeks of gestation (reference standard: WHO criteria) the proposals in which OGTT is performed only in high-risk women; in all (Option 1) or high-risk (Option 1-Sel) women with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 4.7–5.0 mmol/L; in all (Option 2) or high-risk (Option 2-Sel) women without history of HIP and with FPG 4.7–5.0 mmol/L. We also tested FPG measurement alone in all high-risk women. Measuring FPG alone had a sensitivity of 49% (95% confidence interval 45–54) applying universal screening. Option 2 appeared to have the best balance considering the needed OGTT (17.3%), sensitivity (72% (67–76)) and rates of a composite outcome (true negative cases: 10.6%, false positive cases: 24.4%; true positive cases: 19.5%; false negative cases: 10.2%). Consideration of a history of HIP and measuring first FPG can avoid more than 80% of OGTTs and identify women with the highest risk of adverse HIP-related events.

Synthesis and Antidiabetic Evaluation of Some Novel Nitrogen containing Small Heterocyclic Derivatives

This article describes the synthesis, characterization and antidiabetic evaluation of some derivatives containing thiazolidinedione. The titled derivatives 4a-4y have been prepared by the condensation of chlorosulphonyl-benzylidine 2,4-thiazolidinedione with thiadiazole derivatives formed by the reaction of aromatic acid and thiosemicarbazide. The finalization of the reaction was affirmed by TLC and the structures of the derivatives were characterized and analyzed through FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, Mass spectroscopy. Alloxan induced diabetes and oral glucose tolerance tests were done to evaluate for the anti-diabetic profile of the synthesized derivatives. Furthermore, docking of the compounds was done using V Life MDS software. The Dock score of the test compounds was in good correlation with the pharmacological activity results. The electron withdrawing substituents added on the core structure were more potent inhibitors than others.

Secretion of parathyroid hormone may be coupled to insulin secretion in humans

Objective: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a key hormone in regulation of calcium homeostasis and its secretion is regulated by calcium. Secretion of PTH is attenuated during intake of nutrients, but the underlying mechanism(s) are unknown. We hypothesized that insulin acts as an acute regulator of PTH secretion. Methods: Intact PTH was measured in plasma from patients with T1D and matched healthy individuals during 4-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and isoglycemic i.v. glucose infusions on 2 separate days. In addition, expression of insulin receptors on surgical specimens of parathyroid glands was assessed by immunochemistry (IHC) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: The inhibition of PTH secretion was more pronounced in healthy individuals compared to patients with T1D during an OGTT (decrementalAUC0–240min: −5256 ± 3954 min × ng/L and −2408 ± 1435 min × ng/L, P = 0.030). Insulin levels correlated significantly and inversely with PTH levels, also after adjusting for levels of several gut hormones and BMI (P = 0.002). Expression of insulin receptors in human parathyroid glands was detected by both IHC and qPCR. Conclusion: Our study suggests that insulin may act as an acute regulator of PTH secretion in humans.