OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C, and to assess the association between IR, laboratory parameters and histological findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients had their serum analyzed for glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HOMA-IR, viral load and HCV genotype. Patients with HOMA-IR levels > 2.5 were considered as carriers of insulin resistance. RESULTS: IR was observed in 27% of patients and was […]

OBJECTIVE:Studies show that regular consumption of soybeans reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, most of these studies recommend daily intake of 25 g or more of soy protein, an amount considered high and not well tolerated by patients. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of low daily intake of soybeans in oxidative stress and in components of the metabolic syndrome (MS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty individuals with MS were selected and divided into […]

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the relationship between body fat composition, metabolic syndrome (MS), and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes (DM1). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five DM1 women (36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2) had body composition and insulin resistance determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and estimated glucose disposal ratio (eGDR), respectively. Twenty patients (45%) had MS according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: Women with DM1 and MS had increased central fat […]

OBJECTIVE: To report the genetic and metabolic profile of patients with Berardinelli-Seip syndrome (BSCL) followed at Instituto da Criança, HC-FMUSP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with clinical features of BSCL (n = 5), all female, were evaluated through serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, and liver enzymes. Abdominal sonography and DNA analysis were also performed. RESULTS: Leptin deficiency and hypertriglyceridemia were found in all the patients. Three progressed to diabetes mellitus. Four patients have mutations in AGPAT2 gene and one […]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical care pattern and to compare the lipid and glycemic profile in a group of diabetic patients undergoing both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to correlate these data using biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The first phase consisted in performing a survey on demographic data, questions about the medical team and glycemic control. In the second phase, patients were assessed through laboratorial data on their glycemic […]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cardiovascular risk of non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by the LAP index (lipid accumulation product). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 283 patients (18-34 years) assigned at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal-RN, were divided into four groups: 1) lean PCOS (n = 35); 2) healthy lean (n = 162); 3) overweight PCOS (n = 28); 4) healthy overweight (n = 58). RESULTS: Patients with PCOS showed higher values of […]

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of factors which favors the development of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can improve some of these factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fish oil on glucose and lipid profiles, oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) in patients with MS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a clinical trial in 40 patients with the MS (20 controls and 20 patients receiving 3 g/day of […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and to describe its risk factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples of 78 patients were collected for assessment of glycemic and lipid profile, liver enzymes, TNF-? and HOMA-IR. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established by ultrasound. RESULTS: NAFLD was observed in 42% of patients who had greater BMI (p < 0.001), and frequency of hypertension (p < 0.001). Metabolic syndrome was […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MS) among adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, analyzing each one comparatively. Secondarily we assessed whether MS is associated with microvascular complications, age, diabetes duration and glycemic control. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 101 patients. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent, 32% and 26% of the patients were classified as having MS accordingly […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of hypogonadism in men with metabolic syndrome and its correlation with serum insulin levels. METHODS: Observational, transversal study with 80 men with metabolic syndrome. The individuals were divided into two groups: Group 1: 56 patients (70%) with total testosterone > 300 ng/dL (normal gonadal function); Group 2: 24 patients (30%) with total testosterone < 300 ng/dL (hypogonadic). RESULTS: The subjects from Group 2 compared to Group 1 presented higher body mass index (BMI), waist and […]

Recent studies have shown that sodium intake restrictions may increase insulin resistance (IR) and induce changes on serum lipoproteins and on inflammation markers that are similar to those found in metabolic syndrome (MS). We performed a systematic review of literature regarding the effects of restricting sodium intake on MS or on IR. Nine articles were included in the review. Restriction of sodium consumption was associated with increase insulin resistance in two articles and with decrease in three others. In seven […]

Insulin resistance of skeletal muscle glucose transport is a key-defect for the development of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. However, it is known that both an acute bout of exercise and chronic endurance exercise training can bring beneficial effects on insulin action in insulin-resistant states. However, little is currently known about the molecular effects of acute exercise on muscle insulin signaling in the post-exercise state in insulin-resistant organisms. This review provides new insight into the mechanism through which […]