Visualizing superoxide production in normal and diabetic rat islets of Langerhans

Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in beta-cell dysfunction and apoptosis associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The roles of free radicals in diabetes have thus far been defined indirectly by monitoring oxidative tissue damage and the effects of antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and overexpression of superoxide dismutase. We employed the superoxide-mediated oxidation of hydroethidine to ethidium to dynamically and directly assess the relative rates of mitochondrial superoxide anion generation in isolated islets in response to glucose stimulation. Superoxide content of isolated islets increased in response to glucose stimulation. We next compared the oxyradical levels in Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty rat islets by digital imaging microfluorometry. The superoxide content of Zucker diabetic fatty islets was significantly higher than Zucker lean control islets under resting conditions, relatively insensitive to elevated glucose concentrations, and correlated temporally with a decrease in glucose-induced hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. Importantly, superoxide levels were elevated in islets from young, pre-diabetic Zucker diabetic fatty animals. Overproduction of superoxide was associated with perturbed mitochondrial morphology and may contribute to abnormal glucose signaling found in the Zucker diabetic fatty model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Role of porosity in tuning the response range of microsphere-based glucose sensors

Luminescent microspheres encapsulating glucose oxidase have recently been developed as implantable glucose sensors. Previous work has shown that the response range and sensitivity can be tuned by varying the thickness and composition of transport-controlling nanofilm coatings. Nevertheless, the linear response range of these sensors falls significantly below the desired clinical range for in vivo monitoring. We report here an alternative means of tuning the response range by adjusting microsphere porosity. A reaction-diffusion model was first used to evaluate whether increased porosity would be expected to extend the response range by decreasing the flux of glucose relative to oxygen. Sensors exhibiting linear response (R(2)>0.90) up to 600 mg/dL were then experimentally demonstrated by using amine-functionalized mesoporous silica microspheres and polyelectrolyte nanofilm coatings. The model was then used for sensor design, which led to the prediction that sensors constructed from ～12 μm microspheres having an effective porosity between 0.005 and 0.01 and ～65 nm transport-limiting coatings would respond over the entire physiological glucose range (up to 600 mg/dL) with maximized sensitivity.     

A minimal model of liver glycogen metabolism; feasibility for predicting flux rates

A minimal model of glycogen metabolism can allow the estimation of the flux rates in the glycogen pathway from the time course of the intermediates in the pathway, measured during substrate administration and hormonal stimulation. The comprehensive model of El-Refai & Bergman (Am. J. Physiol. 231, 1608, 1976) consisting of six compartments and 26 non-estimable parameters has successfully accounted for the responses of hepatic glycogenic intermediates in response to a glucose load in hepatocytes (Katz et al., J. biol. Chem. 253, 4530, 1978), in perfused liver (Nordlie et al., J. biol. Chem. 255, 1834, 1980) and during refeeding in vivo (Van DeWerve & Jeanrenaud, Am. J. Physiol. 247, E271, 1984). The comprehensive model is here reduced to a minimal model, consisting of five compartments representing extracellular and intracellular glucose, glucose-phosphate, uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG), glycogen, and five parameters estimated from the hepatic response to a given stimulus. Estimation of these parameters requires the measurement of the net hepatic glucose balance, the net gluconeogenic flux, and the time course of glycogenic intermediates responding to a hormone or substrate stimulus. The hepatic glycogenolytic response predicted by the comprehensive model in response to an increase in glucagon is closely fitted by the minimal model. When Gaussian distributed random error was added, 0-5% SD in the glucose and glycogen compartments and 0-10% SD in the glucose-phosphate and UDPG compartments, the hepatic response predicted by the minimal model was virtually free of the added error, and the model parameters were found to be within 30% of their true values. When the minimal model was used to interpret the experimental response to an increase in glucose concentration it predicted that: (1) glucokinase can phosphorylate glucose at rates similar to maximal rates of net glycogen synthesis; (2) futile cycling at the glycogen/glucose-1-phosphate level can limit glycogen synthesis; and (3) glucose-6-phosphatase inhibition by glucose has a significant role in net glycogen synthesis.     

Dynamics of anaerobic growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the chemostat.

A kinetic Monod model has been used to describe the dynamic response of a continuous stirred tank fermentor (CSTF) to changes in dilution rate. A general analytical solution of a linearized model was obtained. Experimental results (Vairo et al. 1977) of continuous anaerobic culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have verified the model quantitatively. For step disturbances on the dilution rate the responses of biomass concentration and the outlet substrate concentration were calculated on a digital computer and compared with the experimental data.     

Model-based optimization of a conductive matrix enzyme electrode

A mathematical model has been developed to describe the mechanism for internal mass transfer and enzyme reaction kinetics of an amperometric conductive matrix enzyme electrode. The model is simplified and solved analytically to arrive at a representation for the response slope in the linear range as well as for the response time. This is the first time that the response time of an enzyme electrode is described by a mathematical model. Simulations give information on how the design parameters influence the performance of the electrode for a glucose oxidase catalyzed sensing reaction process. Based on this information, several designs were constructed and tested showing suitable agreement with theoretical predictions. Finally, an optimized electrode was designed and validated.     

Checking of some hypotheses of the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus by mathematical modeling

A mathematical model of normal regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by the pancreas endocrine apparatus is presented. In a numerical experiment the model imitated changed levels of sucrose, insulin glucagon and gastrointestinal hormones in the blood in response to the ingested 50 g of glucose. The model of normal regulation was damaged in the way which theoretically should result in diabetes development. Then an estimation was made to what extent the disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism characteristic of diabetes were reproduced by the changed model. It has been shown that disturbances specific for diabetes appear when the sensitivity of beta-cells to glucose stimulus or hyperproduction of glucagon decreased. No changes in the behaviour of blood glucose typical of diabetes were obtained in the model when a decrease of the sensitivity of insulin receptors due to hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dependent tissues was imitated, as well as an increased activity of liver insulinase or hyposecretion of gastrointestinal hormones. These results point to the necessity of further development of these hypotheses.     

The use of the artificial pancreas in uremic diabetic patients.

Maintenance hemodialysis and renal transplantation are increasingly used for treating diabetic patients with end-stage renal failure. The use of the artificial pancreas is able to prevent large blood glucose fluctuations in these patients with atherosclerosis, advanced retinopathy or neuropathy in which hyper- and hypoglycemia are potentially deleterious. For this purpose, we have developed and are utilizing an artificial pancreas easily utilizable without special training by the staff of a dialysis unit. This artificial pancreas uses a polarographic glucose electrode with a fast response time (45 to 90 seconds), a terminal display for operator communication, and a continuous digital and analogyl display for control of the running operation. There is also a printer to display in tabular and graphical form the values at any time during the operation. In this preliminary study, 7 patients have been studied: five under repetitive hemodialysis for four hours, 3 times a week; one treated by peritoneal dialysis for 12 hours, twice a week and one controlled during, and 48 hours after, renal transplantation. The macroscopic pancreas normalizes blood glucose under these circumstances, helps in a better understanding of blood glucose homeostasis in uremic patients under dialysis, leads to a more precise evaluation of insulin needs, may help to improve the nutritional status of the patients, and has an educational value for the patient and the medical staff.     

Modelling amperometric enzyme electrode with substrate cyclic conversion

A mathematical model of amperometric enzyme electrodes in which chemical amplification by cyclic substrate conversion takes place in a single enzyme membrane has been developed. The model is based on non-stationary diffusion equations containing a non-linear term related to Michaelis-Menten kinetic of the enzymatic reaction. The digital simulation was carried out using the finite difference technique. The influence of the substrate concentration, the maximal enzymatic rate as well as the membrane thickness on the biosensor response was investigated. The numerical experiments demonstrate significant (up to dozens of times) gain in biosensor sensitivity at low concentrations of substrate when the biosensor response is under diffusion control.     

Studies on the electrochemical performance of glucose biosensor based on ferrocene encapsulated ORMOSIL and glucose oxidase modified graphite paste electrode

The electrochemical performance of a new glucose biosensor is reported. The glucose biosensor is developed using glucose oxidase (GOD) and ferrocene encapsulated palladium (Pd)-linked organically modified sol-gel glass (ORMOSIL) material incorporated within graphite paste electrode. The ORMOSIL material incorporated within graphite paste electrode behaves as an excellent electrocatalyst for the oxidation of enzymatically reduced GOD. The electrochemical behavior of new glucose biosensor has been examined by cyclic volammetry and amperometric measurements. The bioelectrocatalysis of ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of storage time and varying concentration of ORMOSIL is reported. The initial amperometric response on glucose sensing is recorded to be 145 microA at 15% (w/w) concentration of the ORMOSIL which is decreased to 20 microA at 5% of the same keeping GOD concentration constant. The variation of electrochemical behavior of the ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of time has also been studied based on cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms showing the reversible electrochemistry of ORMOSIL encapsulated ferrocene is changed into a plateau shape as a function of time, however, the electrocatalytic behavior is still retained. The practical usability of new glucose sensor has been compared with earlier developed glucose sensor. The sensitivity, response time and linearity of the new glucose biosensor are found to be excellent over earlier reported glucose biosensor. The amperometric response, calibration curve and practical applications of new glucose sensor are reported.     

A fluorescent glucose biosensor based on immobilized glucose oxidase on bamboo inner shell membrane

A fluorescent glucose biosensor was constructed by immobilizing glucose oxidase on a bamboo inner shell membrane with glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. The detection scheme was based on the depletion of dissolved oxygen content upon exposure to glucose solution with a concomitant increase in the fluorescence intensity of an oxygen transducer, tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(Pi) ditetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate. The enzyme immobilization, effect of pH, temperature and ionic strength have been studied in detail. The biosensor exhibited repeatable response to a 2.0 mM glucose solution with a relative standard deviation of 3.0% (n = 10). It showed good storage stability and maintained 95% of its initial response after it had been kept at 4 degrees C for 8 months. The biosensor has a linear response range of 0.0-0.6 mM glucose with a detection limit of 58 microM (S/N = 3). Common potential interferants in samples do not pose any significant interference on the response of the glucose biosensor. It was successfully applied to the determination of glucose content in some commercial wines and medical glucose injections.     

The carbon paste electrode encrusted with a microreactor as glucose biosensor.

The amperometric biosensors based on carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) encrusted with single microreactor (MR) have been constructed for the determination of glucose. The MRs were prepared from CPC-silica carrier (CPC) and were loaded with glucose oxidase (GO), mediator (M) and acceptor (A). As the mediator cation radical of 5,10-dimethyl-5, 10-dihydrophenazine (DMDHP), N-methylphenazonium methyl sulfate (PMS) and o-benzoquinone (BQ) and as the acceptor Fe[EDTA]- or Fe(CN)6(3-) was used. The biosensors acted at electrode potential 0.15-0.27 V versus Ag-AgCl electrode. The calibration graphs of the biosensors were linear in the range from 1.5 to 50 mM of glucose. The sensitivity of the biosensors did not change at pH 6-8. The dissolved oxygen little (7%) influenced the biosensors response and 1 mM of ascorbic acid produced the response that was of equal value to 0.5 mM of glucose. The biosensors showed high stability; no change of the response of the biosensors prepared by using the novel microreactor was observed at least for 6 months by keeping the loaded CPC at room temperature in silica container. An optimization of the biosensors response against the GO, the mediator and the polymer amount was performed. The digital modeling of the biosensors action is following.     

Rapid Changes in Local Extracellular Rat Brain Glucose Observed with an In Vivo Glucose Sensor

Abstract: A needle-type electrochemically based microsensor for glucose (110 µm o.d.) is described. This sensor, designed for monitoring transient glucose content changes in response to neural stimuli, has a response time of ∼5 s and has been shown to be free of interference from endogenous electroactive species such as ascorbate, urate, and various neurotransmitters. It exhibits linear response to glucose up to 10 m M . The usefulness of the sensor has been demonstrated by examining the time-dependent interstitial glucose concentration in the rat hippocampus in response to KCl depolarization and by stimulation of glutamate neurons through a perforant pathway. Simultaneous monitoring of oxygen is also carried out and demonstrates that for both oxygen and glucose there is substantial local depletion of both species and that their pools are replenished by increased regional cerebral blood flow. The transient initial rapid (10–13 s) decrease up to 20–34%, observed on a time scale comparable to that for neurotransmitter release, may be involved in a recently suggested astrocytic uptake for glutamate-stimulated aerobic glycolysis possibly needed to meet energy homeostasis in brain. These studies demonstrate the importance of microsensors in monitoring transient events linked to neuronal stimulation.     

Oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+, oxygen consumption, and insulin secretion in glucose-stimulated rat pancreatic islets

Insulin secretion in the intact organism, and by the perfused pancreas and groups of isolated perifused islets, is pulsatile. We have proposed a metabolic model of glucose-induced insulin secretion in which oscillations in the ATP/ADP ratio drive alterations in metabolic and electrical events that lead to insulin release. A key prediction of our model is that metabolically driven Ca2+ oscillations will also occur. Using the fluorescent Ca2+ probe, fura 2, digital image analysis, and sensitive O2 electrodes, we investigated cytosolic free Ca2+ responses and O2 consumption in perifused rat islets that had been maintained in culture for 1-4 days. We found that elevated ambient glucose increased the average cytosolic free Ca2+ level, the ATP/ADP ratio, and oxygen consumption, as previously found in freshly isolated islets. Oscillatory patterns were obtained for Ca2+, O2 consumption, and insulin secretion in the presence of 10 and 20 mM glucose. Very low amplitude oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ were observed at 3 mM nonstimulatory glucose levels. Evaluation of the Ca2+ responses of a large series of individual islets, monitored by digital image analysis and perifused at both 3 and 10 mM glucose, indicated that the rise in glucose concentration caused more than a doubling of the average cytosolic free Ca2+ value and a 4-fold increase in the amplitude of the oscillations with little change in period. The pattern of Ca2+ change within the islets was consistent with recruitment of responding cells. The coexistence of oscillations with similar periods in insulin secretion, oxygen consumption, and cytosolic free Ca2+ is consistent with the model of metabolically driven pulsatile insulin secretion.     

A Unifying Organ Model of Pancreatic Insulin Secretion

The secretion of insulin by the pancreas has been the object of much attention over the past several decades. Insulin is known to be secreted by pancreatic β-cells in response to hyperglycemia: its blood concentrations however exhibit both high-frequency (period approx. 10 minutes) and low-frequency oscillations (period approx. 1.5 hours). Furthermore, characteristic insulin secretory response to challenge maneuvers have been described, such as frequency entrainment upon sinusoidal glycemic stimulation; substantial insulin peaks following minimal glucose administration; progressively strengthened insulin secretion response after repeated administration of the same amount of glucose; insulin and glucose characteristic curves after Intra-Venous administration of glucose boli in healthy and pre-diabetic subjects as well as in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Previous modeling of β-cell physiology has been mainly directed to the intracellular chain of events giving rise to single-cell or cell-cluster hormone release oscillations, but the large size, long period and complex morphology of the diverse responses to whole-body glucose stimuli has not yet been coherently explained. Starting with the seminal work of Grodsky it was hypothesized that the population of pancreatic β-cells, possibly functionally aggregated in islets of Langerhans, could be viewed as a set of independent, similar, but not identical controllers (firing units) with distributed functional parameters. The present work shows how a single model based on a population of independent islet controllers can reproduce very closely a diverse array of actually observed experimental results, with the same set of working parameters. The model’s success in reproducing a diverse array of experiments implies that, in order to understand the macroscopic behaviour of the endocrine pancreas in regulating glycemia, there is no need to hypothesize intrapancreatic pacemakers, influences between different islets of Langerhans, glycolitic-induced oscillations or β-cell sensitivity to the rate of change of glycemia.     

Some histological aspects of the palmar digital pads in the vervet monkey

The structural organisation of the digital touch pads has been investigated in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus) by light microscopy. It has been demonstrated that the subcutaneous tissue of the terminal digital pad consists of a highly organised septal framework containing large amounts of elastic fibres, with adipose tissue sweat gland compartments lying between the connective tissue septa. It is suggested that the presence of elastic fibres in the septal framework of the terminal digital pad is an important factor in accomplishing an even more supple response to prehensile and tactile activities of the hand.     

Respiratory repression and the stability of the mitochondrial genome

Summary The variation in sensitivity of the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to ethidium bromide-induced petite mutation in response to changes in glucose concentration has been studied. Growth in high glucose considerably depressed the mutation rate, whilst small variations are observed in response to step-up or step-down in glucose concentration. Variations in mitochondrial DNA and respiratory activity during the mutagenic process are described. Effects of non-metabolizable sugars which repress mitochondrial biogenesis and a number of antimitochondrial drugs have been investigated. The results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of modulation of the mutation rates.     

Insulin response and NEFA behavior in volunteers with a flat response to oral glucose tolerance test]

The insulin response and the NEFA behaviour of 7 lean and 8 obese subjects with a flat response to an oral glucose tolerance test have been studied. A flat response has been defined as one in which the maximum glycemic increase and the area of increase does not exceed 32 mg% and 18 mg% respectively. The insulin response and the NEFA behaviour were similar both in lean and in obese subjects to controls with normal O.G.T.T. The glucose/I.R.I. ratios were increased. A possible physiopathological interpretation is proposed.