Diabetes

Question 1

What are the three types of diabetes?

Answer 1

• Type I diabetes mellitus
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Gestational diabetes

Question 2

What kind of tissue does the Pancreas contain and what are the names of the types?

Answer 2

• The pancreas contains tissue called islets of Langerhans

- The two type of islets are alpha cells (releases glycogen) and beta cells (releases insulin)

Question 3

What is the role of insulin?

Answer 3

• Stimulates the transport of glucose into cells
• Produced and stored in beta cells
• Released when BGLs are high (biphasic release)
• Binds to insulin receptors in liver, muscle and fat

Question 4

What are GLUt transporters?

Answer 4

• They are membrane proteins that ‘pick up’ glucose from blood
• Decrease in blood glucose levels
• Some GLUTs are insulin dependents (Liver, muscle & fat cells

Question 5

What is Type I Diabetes Mellitus?

Answer 5

• Associated with he destruction of pancreatic beta cells
• Mostly in younger people
• Rapidly onset or slow development
• Requires insulin replacement for survival

Question 6

What are the causes for Type I Diabetes?

Answer 6

• Extensive damage to pancreatic beta islet cells
• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental trigger (e.g. Viral infection, stress dietary proteins)

Question 7

What is Type II diabetes Mellitus?

Answer 7

• Where cells become insulin resistance and/or there is insulin deficiency
• Often diagnosed in adults (increasing in children)
• Strong association with obesity (80%)

Question 8

What is the cause for Type II diabetes?

Answer 8

• Gene predisposition
• Lifestyle factors (diet & activity levels)
• Two metabolic defect (insulin resistance and deficiency)

Question 9

What is Insulin Resistance and Deficiency?

Answer 9

Insulin Resistance:

• Change in the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin signals
• Universal in diabetic people who are obese

Insulin Deficiency:

• Dysfunctional pancreatic beta cells

Question 10

What is Gestational diabetes?

Answer 10

• Where the is are elevated BGL during pregnancy
• Insulin resistance develops (high levels of GH & placental hormones)
• Higher levels of blood glucose in fetal bloodstream,
  - Increased insulin secretion
  - Enhanced growth & large bodyweight
  - Alterations in fetal metabolism