Challenges and pitfalls of youth-onset type 2 diabetes

The incidence and prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are increasing.The rise in frequency and severity of childhood obesity,inclination to sedentary lifestyle,and epigenetic risks related to prenatal hyperglycemia exposure are important drivers of the youth-onset T2DM epidemic and might as well be responsible for the early onset of diabetes complications.Indeed,youth-onset T2DM has a more extreme metabolic phenotype than adult-onset T2DM,with greater insulin resistance and more rapid deterioration of beta cell function.Therefore,intermediate complications such as microalbuminuria develop in late childhood or early adulthood,while end-stage complications develop in mid-life.Due to the lack of efficacy and safety data,several drugs available for the treatment of adults with T2DM have not been approved in youth,reducing the pharmacological treatment options.In this mini review,we will try to address the present challenges and pitfalls related to youth-onset T2DM and summarize the available interventions to mitigate the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications.

Relationship between the level of fasting plasma glucose and beta cell functions in Chinese with or without diabetes

Background Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by a progressive loss of beta cell functions. However, the evaluation of beta cell functions is either expensive or inconvenient for clinical practice. We aimed to elucidate the association between the changes of insulin responsiveness and the fasting plasma glucose （FPG） during the development of diabetes. Methods A total of 1192 Chinese individuals with normal blood glucose or hyperglycemia were enrolled for the analysis. The early insulinogenic index （△I30/△G30）, the area under the curve of insulin （AUC-Ⅰ）, and homeostasis model assessment were applied to evaluate the early phase secretion, total insulin secretion, and insulin resistance respectively. Polynomial regression analysis was performed to estimate the fluctuation of beta cell functions. Results The △I30/△G30 decreased much more rapidly than the AUC-Ⅰ accompanying with the elevation of FPG. At the FPG of 110 mg/dl （a pre-diabetic stage）, the AI30/AG30 lost 50% of its maximum while the AUC-Ⅰ was still at a compensated normal level. The AUC-Ⅰ exhibited abnormal and decreased gradually at the FPG of from 130 mg/dl to higher （overt diabetes）, while the △I30/△G30 almost remained at 25% of its maximum value. When hyperglycemia continuously existed at 〉 180 mg/dl, both the AI30/AG30 and AUC-Ⅰ were totally lost. Conclusion The increased fasting plasma glucose reflects progressive decompensation of beta cell functions, and could be used to guide the strategy of clinical treatments.