Diabetes part two

Yup, BIOC3004 had a lecture on diabetes that covered much of the same ground as my previous post on the subject. There is some new stuff, though, so let's get started!

Understand the concepts of hyperglycaemia and hypoglyacemia

Hyperglycaemia = high blood sugar, while hypoglycaemia = low blood sugar. Diabetic ketoacidosis, which has many of the symptoms of hyperglycaemia, and insulin shock, which shares symptoms with hypoglycaemia, are discussed in that earlier post on diabetes.

Know the different types of diabetes: cause, risk factors and treatment

The main differences between the two types, as well as treatments, are covered in my earlier post, though in that post I didn't go too much into the cause or risk factors. Type I diabetes may have a genetic component, but sometimes the autoimmune response against the beta cells is triggered by an environmental factor, such as a viral illness. Type II diabetes may also have a genetic component, but environmental factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, are also linked to diabetes.

Be able to explain how diabetes is diagnosed

Diabetes is generally diagnosed through the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), which I conveniently wrote about for PHAR3303.

Be able to explain how blood glucose levels are controlled

Guess I'm back to linking to that old post about diabetes again...

Know the normal range for fasting glucose

Quick easy question: ~3.5 - 5.5 mmol/L

Be able to explain protein glycosylation

Since diabetics have high blood glucose, that glucose can become added to proteins via glycosylation. Free amino groups are especially prone to this. Haemoglobin has many exposed amino groups which can become glycosylated, thereby compromising its ability to deliver oxygen around the blood. This increases the risk of many complications of diabetes, such as renal failure and damage to blood vessels and nerves. Glycosylated haemoglobin can also be used in diagnostic testing (see here).