Low vitamin D levels in children associated with higher plasma glucose and lower HDL

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone and a component of a complex endocrine pathway sometimes called 'vitamin D endocrine system' (Medscape, 2012).  A retrospective record review of pediatric outpatients (age, 2-18 years) included simultaneous measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) and fasting plasma glucose or 25(OH) D and a lipid panel.

25(OH) D levels were inversely correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels.

Lower 25(OH) D levels were also associated with lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations.

Children who were vitamin D insufficient (25[OH] D ≤30 ng/mL) had higher fasting plasma glucose and lower HDL levels than children who were vitamin D sufficient (25[OH] D >30 ng/mL).

References:
http://www.jpeds.com/article/PIIS0022347609009858/abstract

Monounsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, nuts and avocados increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels by 12% http://goo.gl/GBQa5

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Contact lenses change color when blood glucose increases in diabetics

In the future, diabetics may be able to wear contact lenses that continuously alert them to variations in their glucose levels by changing colors - potentially replacing the need to routinely draw blood throughout the day.

The non-invasive technology, developed by Chemical and Biochemical Engineering professor Jin Zhang at The University of Western Ontario, uses extremely small nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel lenses. These engineered nanoparticles react with glucose molecules found in tears, causing a chemical reaction that changes their color.

References:
Nanocomposites could change diabetes treatment. The University of Western Ontario, 2010.

Image source: OpenClipArt.org.

Glycated hemoglobin as a diagnostic test for diabetes predicts mortality more accurately than fasting glucose

Fasting glucose is the standard measure used to diagnose diabetes in the United States. Recently, glycated hemoglobin was also recommended for this purpose.

The glycated hemoglobin value at baseline was associated with newly diagnosed diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes.

For glycated hemoglobin, values of less than 5.0%, 5.0-5.5%, 5.5-6.0%, 6.0-6.5%, and 6.5% or greater, the hazard ratios for diagnosed diabetes were 0.52, 1.00, 1.86, 4.48, and 16.47, respectively.

For coronary heart disease, the hazard ratios were 0.96, 1.00, 1.23, 1.78, and 1.95, respectively. The hazard ratios for stroke were similar.

In contrast, glycated hemoglobin and death from any cause were found to have a J-shaped association curve.

The association between the fasting glucose levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease or death from any cause was not significant.

In this community-based population of nondiabetic adults, glycated hemoglobin was associated with a risk of diabetes and more strongly associated with risks of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause as compared with fasting glucose. These data add to the evidence supporting the use of glycated hemoglobin as a diagnostic test for diabetes.

References:

Glycated Hemoglobin, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Risk in Nondiabetic Adults. NEJM, 2010.

Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain.