Pathology of Dabetes Mellitus

Question 1

what is insulitis?

Answer 1

lymphocytic infiltration of islets

Question 2

what is the aetiology of type 2 diabetes?

Answer 2

> reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin
inability to secrete high levels of insulin
this leads to a failure of beta cells to meet the increased demand for insulin.

Question 3

how does expanded upper body visceral fat mass lead to diabetes?

Answer 3

there is increased free fatty acids in the blood which causes a decreased receptor sensitivity to insulin.
more insulin is needed to get the adequate amount of glucose in => hyperinsulineamia.

if the genes controlling insulin secretion cannot produce high enough amounts then diabetes develops.

Question 4

what are the macro vascular complications associated with diabetes?

Answer 4

there is acceleration of atherosclerosis

Question 5

why is there acceleration of atherosclerosis in diabetes?

Answer 5

glucose stops low density lipoprotein from binding to its receptor in the liver cell tightly creating hyperlipidaemia and eventually causing atherosclerosis

Question 6

describe the microvascular changes in long term diabetes

Answer 6

molecules cannot flux from the sub endothelial space into the blood. there is then a build up of molecules trapped under the endothelial cells. this leads to poor blood flow and ischaemia.

Question 7

what is the effect of glycosylated collagen?

Answer 7

it binds to albumin in the sub endothelial space where it accumulates

Question 8

what do glycosylated proteins bind to?

Answer 8

neighbouring proteins