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The protein synthesis in normal and in EMC-virus infected mouse islets of Langerhans was investigated. Mouse large glucagon immunoreactivity was determined by an immunoassay after chromatographic separation. It was characterized as a peptide of 16 000 MW with in intracellular half-life of 35-45 min. The proportional reduction of void volume proteins, large glucagon immunoreactivity and proinsulin synthesis after infection shows, that both alpha- and beta-cells are damaged by the virus. A reduction in the synthesis of the three protein fractions was already found 6 hrs after inoculation of the virus and remained nearly constant for 48 hrs. An almost complete breakdown of protein synthesis occurred 60 to 70 hrs after infection and was paralleled by the first light microscopic changes in the islets. The stimulation of proinsulin synthesis by glucose was preserved for 48 hrs after EMC-virus infection.

History and admission findings | An obese patient with type 2 diabetes (on 90 IU insulin daily) and exertional dyspnoea (NYHA II-III) for 3 weeks presented in a rehabilitation clinic hoping to reduce his weight. Clinical and laboratory findings excluded any inflammatory or systemic disease apart from diabetes mellitus. Blood pressure and serum lipid levels were normal. Investigations | An unremarkable ECG stress test and echocardiogram excluded ischemic and hypertensive heart disease and primary cardiomyopathy. Pulsed tissue Doppler revealed diastolic cardiac dysfunction. Unremarkable were also chest X-ray, pulmonary function testing and 24-hour ECG. Treatment and Course | The findings supported the diagnosis of HFpEF and diabetic/insulin resistance cardiomyopathy. Insulin resistance was treated for three weeks by low-carbohydrate nutrition and moderate exercise. At discharge, weight was reduced by 2 kg, exercise capacity and diastolic function were normalized, as were insulin resistance and postprandial glucose levels, whilst antidiabetic therapy was reduced to low-carbohydrate nutrition. Conclusion | HFpEF due to insulin resistance cardiomyopathy is often not recognized, especially in obese individuals, and may be further aggravated by the traditional recommendation of low-fat nutrition. Due to the high reversibility of metabolically dysregulated cardiovascular mechanisms, a causal, i.e. metabolic therapeutic strategy that normalizes insulin resistance by low-carbohydrate nutrition is a promising option.

A pilot study was carried out in 4 medical rehabilitation centers to examine the practicability and effectiveness of preventive life-style interventions for employees with risk factors. The programs were developed in cooperation with the German pension scheme and employers. Selection criteria were risk factors as lack of physical activity, overweight, dorsal pain or job strain. The results demonstrate that preventive programs, which are conducted in addition to the normal working hours on the job, can be implemented successfully in rehabilitation units. The participation in the multimodal prevention program goes along with a stable reduction of risky health behavior: increased physical activity, stress coping, dietary change und weight reduction. The healthier life-style is reflected in an enhanced state of health and has also positive impact on the occupational field scale: The percentage of employees who believed to be able to work until their old-age pension, could be increased significantly (p<0.001) from 47% to 74%. Work-related risk behaviors like excessive demands on oneself were reduced and protective strategies were -developed.

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