This study examined whether circulating levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) alter in prediabetes and correlate with insulin resistance (IR) and beta cell function in prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects without previous history of diabetes were recruited and grouped as control, prediabetes, and newly diagnosed T2DM. The control subjects (n = 40) and people with prediabetes (n = 52) and diabetes (n = 66) were similar in terms of age, sex, BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, and fasting insulin level. HOMA-IR was found significantly higher in people with diabetes than control subjects (p < 0.001) and people with prediabetes (p = 0.005); and HOMA-%B was found significantly deteriorated in people with diabetes (p < 0.001) compared to control subjects and people with prediabetes. However, serum sRAGE levels did not show any significant alteration in people with prediabetes compared to control subjects. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses did not identify any significant correlation and statistical association of sRAGE with HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B in people with prediabetes and newly diagnosed T2DM. Our data suggest that serum sRAGE levels do not alter in people with prediabetes compared to control subjects and do not correlate or associate with IR and beta cell function during development of T2DM.

Background: Overweight and obesity are recognized as “escalating epidemics” affecting both developed and developing countries. Of the factors contributing to obesity, stress seems to be particularly important as stressful condition leads to irregularity in diet, lack of exercise and addiction. Medical students are exposed to a lot of stress throughout their education. Hence, this study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity among undergraduate medical students. Objectives: The present cross-sectional study was intended to find out the prevalence of overweight/obesity among medical students of Enam Medical College and its association with their sociodemographic and life-style pattern. Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional study was conducted among medical students in Enam Medical College, Savar, Dhaka from March to July 2017. A total of 283 1st and 2nd year MBBS students were included in the study. After getting permission from college authority and concerned Ethical Committee data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire containing the variables of interest. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were noted. Data were analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 16.0. Results: In the present study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.2% and 6.0% respectively. Males were found more overweight or obese (70.1%) compared to females (29.9%) (p=0.041). No other sociodemographic variables were found associated with overweight or obesity. Family history of obesity was observed for evaluation of overweight/obesity among the respondents (p=0.018) although family history of hypertension and/or diabetes did not influence the overweight/ obesity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the overweight/obese group were higher than their normal counterparts (p=0.003 and p=0.002). There was no association between BMI and behavioral variables such as exercise, sleep, entertainment and food behavior. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of the undergraduate medical students are overweight or obese and overweight or obesity are more predominant in males. Overweight and obese students generally have family history of overweight or obesity. Behavioural factors such as taking exercise, time spent on sleep and entertainment and food habit are not associated with BMI. J Enam Med Col 2020; 10(2): 86-92

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Insulin is released from the pancreas in a biphasic manner in response to arterial glucose concentration. The assumption has been generally made that the 30-minute response reflected first-phase insulin release, whereas the 120-minute response reflected second-phase insulin release.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to identify the defect in first and second phases of insulin secretion in pre-diabetes and newly diagnosed T2DM.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This case-control study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka from March 2013 to June 2014. All the study subjects (n = 94) were collected from the one point centre, BSMMU as newly diagnosed T2DM, pre-diabetes and healthy normal glucose tolerant subjects according to fasting plasma glucose and 2 hour plasma glucose status. A total of 32 newly diagnosed T2DM and 32 pre-diabetes were included on the basis of inclusion criteria as cases. Another 30 healthy normal glucose tolerant subjects were emolled as control. Fasting blood samples were collected from study subjects to estimate the plasma glucose and insulin level. Again blood samples were taken for measurement of plasma glucose and insulin level at 30 minute and 120 minute on OGTT.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Fasting plasma insulin was significantly higher in pre-diabetes than control and T2DM (p = 0.011). Plasma insulin at 30 minute and 120 minute of OGTT were significantly lower in T2DM than control and pre- diabetes (p = 0.001 &amp; 0.016). The insulin secretion in first and second phases were significantly lower in T2DM patients than controls and pre-diabetes (p = 0.000). Beta-cell function was also significantly lower in T2DM than controls and pre-diabetes (p = 0.000). Median values of HOMA-IR were higher in pre-diabetes (1.68) and T2DM (1.53) than control (1.37), but not statistically significant (p = 0.153). There was significant positive correlation of both phases of insulin secretion with FPI, beta-cell function and insulin resistance in T2DM, pre-diabetes and controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The study reveals that 1st and 2nd phase insulin secretory defect was detected in T2DM, but in pre-diabetes, we have failed to identify insulin secretory defects in both phases.</p>