The behavior of the homozygous and heterozygous sub-types of rats which are genetically-selected for diabetes insipidus: A comparison with Long Evans and Wistar stocks

Several aspects of spontaneous and conditioned behavior (food and water intake, locomotion and emotionality, passive and active avoidance acquisition and retention) of standard (albino and pigmented) rats, and rats heterozygous (HEDI) and homozygous (HODI) for diabetes insipidus, are reviewed. As would be expected, HODI rats have been repeatedly found to consume far more fluid than either HEDI or control rats. Pigmented rats appear to be more active than albinos. HODI rats exhibit less marked emotional responses than do control rats, among which the pigmented ones exhibit the highest emotionality. Light aversion is more evident in albino than in pigmented rats. No differences are found among HEDI, HODI and normal Long Evans rats. It is quite difficult to provide a clear-cut statement concerning inter-strain differences in passive avoidance behavior, possibly because of the variety of techniques employed. In any case, HODI rats do not perform worse than normal controls do. In one-way active avoidance paradigms, pigmented rats perform better than albinos, and the performance of HODI rats does not differ from that of controls. In two-way avoidance paradigms, albinos appear to outperform pigmented rats. Once again, there are no obvious differences between HODI and control animals.In addition to indicating that HODI rats may actually be less emotional than the other groups of rats reviewed here, the studies described once again fail to confirm the previously alleged functions of vasopressin in memory consolidation.     

Selectivity determinants of the aldose and aldehyde reductase inhibitor-binding sites

Aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily of enzymes whose members are responsible for a wide variety of biological functions. Aldose reductase has been identified as the first enzyme involved in the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism which converts glucose into sorbitol. Glucose over-utilization through the polyol pathway has been linked to tissue-based pathologies associated with diabetes complications, which make the development of a potent aldose reductase inhibitor an obvious and attractive strategy to prevent or delay the onset and progression of the complications. Structural studies of aldose reductase and the homologous aldehyde reductase in complex with inhibitor were carried out to explain the difference in the potency of enzyme inhibition. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of previous studies to aid the development of aldose reductase inhibitors that may have less toxicity problems than the currently available ones. Received 4 December 2006; received after revision 12 February 2007; accepted 20 April 2007     

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase regulatory mechanisms and inhibition in treating diabetes, heart ischemia, and cancer

The fraction of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in the active form is reduced by the activities of dedicated PD kinase isozymes (PDK1, PDK2, PDK3 and PDK4). Via binding to the inner lipoyl domain (L2) of the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2 60mer), PDK rapidly access their E2-bound PD substrate. The E2-enhanced activity of the widely distributed PDK2 is limited by dissociation of ADP from its C-terminal catalytic domain, and this is further slowed by pyruvate binding to the N-terminal regulatory (R) domain. Via the reverse of the PDC reaction, NADH and acetyl-CoA reductively acetylate lipoyl group of L2, which binds to the R domain and stimulates PDK2 activity by speeding up ADP dissociation. Activation of PDC by synthetic PDK inhibitors binding at the pyruvate or lipoyl binding sites decreased damage during heart ischemia and lowered blood glucose in insulin-resistant animals. PDC activation also triggers apoptosis in cancer cells that selectively convert glucose to lactate. Received 25 August 2006; received after revision 20 November 2006; accepted 20 December 2006     

From endoderm to pancreas: a multistep journey

The formation of the vertebrate pancreas is a complex process that typifies the basic steps of embryonic development. It involves the establishment of competence, specification, signaling from neighboring tissues, morphogenesis, and the elaboration of tissue-specific genetic networks. A full analysis of this multistep process will help us to understand classic principles of embryonic development. Furthermore, this will provide the blueprint for experimental programming of pancreas formation from embryonic stem cells in the context of diabetes cell-therapy. Although in the past decade many studies have contributed to a solid foundation for understanding pancreatogenesis, important gaps persist in our knowledge of early pancreas formation. This review will summarize the current understanding of the early mechanisms coming into play to pattern the "pre-pancreatic" region within the endoderm and, gradually, specify the pancreatic tissue.     

鹰嘴豆对小鼠血糖及血脂的影响

本文以新疆地产的鹰嘴豆（Cicer arietinum）为受试样品，用高血糖模型小鼠研究鹰嘴豆调节血糖和血脂的作用．选取27只健康小鼠并随机分为三组；对照组，鹰嘴豆低剂量组（10g／kg／d），鹰嘴豆高剂量组（20g／kg／d），将鹰嘴豆粉与普通饲料混合，喂养12天后，测定其空腹血糖、血清胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）含量，并对所得数据进行统计学处理，以此来作为对鹰嘴豆调节血糖血脂的功能评价。结果表明：鹰嘴豆对高血糖小鼠具有很好的降糖和降血脂作用，对预防糖尿病及其并发症具有积极意义。     

视网膜振荡电位异常改变的临床分析

目的 对多种眼科疾病进行视网膜振荡电位(Ops)的检测及分析，探讨了视网膜振荡电位在眼科多种疾病的诊断及评估方面的临床意义。方法对261例412只眼进行Ops检测，对Ops的检测结果进行分析。结果发现糖尿病及糖尿病性视网膜病变、视网膜中央及分支静脉阻塞、高度近视及高度近视性视网膜病变、视网膜色素变性等均有不同程度的Ops总幅值改变。同时发现，老年性黄斑变性、老年性白内障、弱视、中心性浆液性视网膜脉络膜病变及轻、中度近视者，则Ops总幅值无明显改变。结论视网膜Ops的检测是临床眼科诊断及评估的有力手段。     

藏医对糖尿病的认识与治疗

藏医认为糖尿病是因水土之性的“培根”与脂肪过盛，未能化为人体所需之精华而被混入尿液，并通过尿液排出体外造成的．治疗此病的根本在于综合饮食、起居、药物、外治等藏医4种疗法进行降培根与脂肪。调理胃、肝、肾、膀胱等脏器的功能，使体内的精华与糟粕各行其道，各尽所职，正常运行才能从根本上解决问题，这也是治疗本病的基本原则．在临床中病人服用调理有关脏腑功能，使糖份充分吸收利用的药物如：赛知当耐()、索谢尼吉()、控制尿频的药物、云巴西汤()、金尼阿日骄吉()，调理气血的药物阿嘎骄俄()，等等．     

运动疗法依从性对2型糖尿病患者糖化血红蛋白的影响

目的运动疗法依从性对2型糖尿病患者糖化血红蛋白的影响。方法2型糖尿病患者60例．出院后接受每月一次的电话回访。连续6个月，全部病人首次发病，进行运动疗法相关知识教育，每3个月查糖化血红蛋白。结果运动疗法依从性达标的患者糖化血红蛋白控制明显优于不能达标的患者（P〈0．05）。结论有效的运动可提高胰岛素敏感性。减轻胰岛素抵抗，对糖化血红蛋白有明显的控制作用。     

GLP-1R agonists therapy for type 2 diabetes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor （GLP-1R） agonists are widely used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） be- cause of their glucose-lowering and weight-losing effects, and low risk of hypoglycemia. Hence, there is considerable interest in understanding the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of GLP-I and developing stable and effective GLP-1R agonists. Here, we summarize the presently known mechanism of GLP-I actions, which are mainly through regulating cAMP-PKA signaling pathway; the latest developments in novel clinical GLP-1R agonists are also introduced, which are characterized with multiple properties, such as extended half-life, reduced side-effects, lower production costs and more convenient drug dosing mode. The potential risk of GLP-I-based therapeutics, an often-ignored fact, is also discussed.     

酒精的代谢及与相关疾病的特殊剂量关系

酒精作为一种颇具争议的饮料其对于人类健康的影响逐渐成为研究热点，与相关疾病的作用关系各类研究众说纷纭，分析结果显示适量酒精的摄入会比戒酒者或者酗酒者更有助于改善相关疾病的发生发展，但由于实验对象种族、性别、人群的不同，这种剂量关系存在差异性，同时也与受试者的饮酒方式和膳食条件有一定影响．提示选择健康的饮酒方式不可盲目，应根据自身对酒精的代谢能力而选择．