The current gold-standard management of hyperglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is insulin therapy. However, this therapy is associated with a high incidence of complications, and delaying the onset of this disease produces a substantially positive impact on quality of life for individuals with a predisposition to T1DM, especially children. This review aimed to assess the use of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to delay the onset of T1DM in children. GABA produces protective and proliferative effects in 2 ways, β cell and immune cell modulation. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that GABA induces proliferation of β cells, increases insulin levels, inhibits β-cell apoptosis, and suppresses T helper 1 cell activity against islet antigens. Oral GABA is safe as no serious adverse effects were reported in any of the studies included in this review. These findings demonstrate promising results for the use of GABA treatment to delay T1DM, specifically in genetically predisposed children, through immunoregulatory effects and the ability to induce β-cell proliferation.

Background: Hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance is hypothesized to act as a promotor of cancer growth. In addition to the direct effects of hyperinsulinemia on cancer cells, the stimulation of tumor cell growth can also be indirectly mediated through growth factors and receptors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Increased cancer risk is also associated with increased adipose tissue, such as in abdominal obesity, due to the higher risk of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Waist circumference is a parameter that indicates an individual's level of adiposity. In addition, the risk of cancer also increases in the elderly as they age. This study aims to assess the correlation between waist circumference and IGF-1 levels in the elderly population in Bali, Indonesia. Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional analytical design conducted in the Melinggih Village, Gianyar Regency. The study was conducted in September 2023. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Commission number 2020/UN14.2.2.VII.14/LT/2023. The study population included elderly individuals residing in the Melinggih Village who were willing to participate. Data analysis encompassed descriptive analysis and the Spearman correlation test. Result: A total of 88 subjects participated in the study, consisting of 57 females (64.8%) and 31 males (35.2%). A statistically significant but weak correlation coexists between waist circumference and IGF-1 levels. Conclusion A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was found between waist circumference and IGF-1 levels in the elderly. However, because of the small sample size, another study with a bigger sample size with enough power to investigate this association needs to be done to validate the results of the current study.
Elderly ; Aged ; IGF-1 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Waist Circumference

Background: Indonesia is amongst the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) at 10.8%. However, the distinguishable features of T2DM in Indonesia remain obscure. Therefore, the DISCOVER study aimed to describe the characteristics of T2DM patients, associated vascular complications and treatment in Indonesia. Methodology: DISCOVER study is a multi-country, multicenter, prospective, cohort study over 3 years. In the present study, the data were collected from 13 sites from clinical practice, hospitals and public health facilities in Indonesia. Results: A total of 221 subjects were recruited with a mean age of 55.6 ± 9.8 years and body mass index (BMI) of 26.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2. Over 40% of patients had hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia. The mean duration of T2DM was 58.3 ± 62.0 months while the mean HbA1c levels was 9.2 ± 2%. In total, 82.4% completed the study within a 36-month follow-up period. BMI remained elevated i.e., >25 kg/m2. A significant reduction was observed in HbA1c levels as compared to baseline (9.2 ± 2% to 8.1 ± 1.8%). T2DM-associated microvascular complications such as peripheral neuropathy, albuminuria and chronic kidney disease were observed in 17.2%. Macrovascular complications including coronary artery disease and heart failure were seen in 26.2% of patients. We also found that more than 70% of patients were on metformin and/or sulfonylurea. Conclusion The features of patients with T2DM in Indonesia were high BMI, with hypertension and hyperlipidemia as co-morbidities. Metformin and sulfonylureas were the most common treatment. HbA1c reduction during follow-up did not reach recommended target. Thus, early detection and intervention using available glucose-lowering medications and aggressive management of risk factors and complications are essential to improve outcomes of diabetes management in Indonesia.
diabetes type 2 ; vascular complications ; Indonesia

The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with over half of the global diabetic population residing in this region. Increasing evidence shows that without targeted intervention, the progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently in Asians compared with Caucasians. Furthermore, IGT is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and should be managed as early as possible. Because diabetes is now a major public health issue, strategies aimed at prevention and treatment are urgently required. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss, dietary changes and increased physical activity, play a major role in controlling the disease. Significant evidence also supports the effectiveness of a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacologic therapy, such as metformin, in delaying the onset of diabetes. Although the importance of lifestyle interventions is well recognized throughout Asia, many countries do not have formal recommendations to guide the diagnosis and management of individuals at risk of progression to diabetes. At a recent regional meeting, experts from the Asian region convened to develop consensus recommendations to guide clinicians in the management of Asian patients with pre-diabetes. These consensus recommendations provide a clear and concise approach to the management of individuals with IGT based on the available evidence and current best clinical practice.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Prediabetic State ; Asia

The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with over half of the global diabetic population residing in thisregion. Increasing evidence shows that without targeted intervention, the progression from impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) to type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently in Asians compared with Caucasians. Furthermore, IGT is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and should be managed as early as possible. Because diabetes is now a major public health issue, strategies aimed at prevention and treatment areurgently required. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss, dietary changes and increased physical activity, play a major role in controlling the disease. Significant evidence also supports the effectiveness of a combination of lifestylemodification and pharmacologic therapy, such as metformin, in delaying the onset of diabetes. Although the importanceof lifestyle interventions is well recognized throughout Asia, many countries do not have formal recommendations to guide the diagnosis and management of individuals at risk of progression to diabetes. At a recent regional meeting,experts from the Asian region convened to develop consensus recommendations to guide clinicians in themanagement of Asian patientswith pre-diabetes. These consensus recommendations provide a clear and conciseapproach to the management of individuals with IGT based on the available evidence and current best clinical practice.
Glucose Intolerance ; Asia