Fluctuations in fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine in pregnant women monitored on successive antenatal visits

Polysaccharide from Hovenia dulcis (Guaizao) improves pancreatic injury and regulates liver glycometabolism to alleviate STZ-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats

Hovenia dulcis is a traditional medicinal and edible plant and has a major geographical presence in China. In this study, a polysaccharide purified from H. dulcis (HDPs-2A) was found to ameliorate type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. HDPs-2A treatment resulted in significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels, but higher body weight, plasma insulin, and liver glycogen levels. Moreover, HDPs-2A improved dyslipidemia, pancreatic oxidative stress, and reduced serum pro-inflammatory factors. In addition, HDPs-2A up-regulated PDX-1, activated and up-regulated IRS2 expression, and regulated apoptosis and regeneration of islet β cells to recover islet β-cell function injury in TIDM rats. HDPs-2A also up-regulated the expression of pancreatic GK and GLUT2 to improve insulin secretion ability of islet β-cells, ultimately improving the glucose metabolism disorder of T1DM rats. Moreover, HDPs-2A significantly up-regulated the expression of GK and down-regulated the expression of G6Pase in liver to improve liver glycogen synthesis, inhibit liver gluconiogenesis, and improve liver glucose metabolism disorder of T1DM rats. In summary, the hypoglycemic mechanisms of HDPs-2A may include regulating the regeneration and apoptosis of islet β-cells and activating liver glycometabolism-related signaling pathways in T1DM rats.

Significance of HbA1c Test in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is a global endemic with rapidly increasing prevalence in both developing and developed countries. The American Diabetes Association has recommended glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a possible substitute to fasting blood glucose for diagnosis of diabetes. HbA1c is an important indicator of long-term glycemic control with the ability to reflect the cumulative glycemic history of the preceding two to three months. HbA1c not only provides a reliable measure of chronic hyperglycemia but also correlates well with the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Elevated HbA1c has also been regarded as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke in subjects with or without diabetes. The valuable information provided by a single HbA1c test has rendered it as a reliable biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of diabetes. This review highlights the role of HbA1c in diagnosis and prognosis of diabetes patients.