Table of contents
May 2008 Volume 4 No 5
Editorial
Viewpoints
The use of interleukin-1-receptor antagonists in the treatment of diabetes mellitus
240Although the mechanisms of 
-cell failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus remain debated, islet inflammation is implicated and the cytokine interleukin-1 has emerged as a master regulator of this process. The potential role of anakinra—a recombinant human IL-1-receptor antagonist—in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0783 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
Therapeutic potential of statins in thyroid proliferative disease
242Statins are traditionally used in patients with hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disorders. More recently, however, statins have been shown to exert pleiotropic effects on cell proliferation, survival, and migration, which suggests they could have chemopreventive properties. The author of this Viewpoint proposes that statins might have therapeutic potential in thyroid proliferative disease.
Research Highlights
Liothyronine is beneficial in patients with low-T3 syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy
244Anastrozole increases predicted adult height of GH-deficient adolescent boys
244Increasing TSH levels correlate with increasing risk of DTC
244High IGF-I levels imply active acromegaly even when GH levels are 'normal'
245DMPA use by young women decreases spine and hip BMD
245Clinical features of PCOS linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events
246Diabetes-associated retinopathy increases risk of CVD events
246Weight loss >10% is required to improve inflammatory marker levels in the obese
246Insulin resistance in offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes
247rhGH therapy does not unmask central hypoadrenalism in children with idiopathic GHD
247Statin therapy is beneficial for almost all patients with diabetes
248Trabecular bone microarchitecture is underdeveloped in children with cerebral palsy
248GH therapy benefits adults with Prader–Willi syndrome
249Practice Points
Aerobic exercise and resistance training for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus
250doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0790 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Does radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism increase long-term morbidity?
252doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0780 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
A fixed combination of perindopril and indapamide reduces the risk of vascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus
254doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0784 | Full Text | PDF (103K)
Screening to identify individuals at high risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers
256doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0785 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Growth responses during the first year of growth hormone therapy: evaluation of height velocity targets
258doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0792 | Full Text | PDF (103K)
Do thiazolidinediones increase the risk of congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death?
260doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0781 | Full Text | PDF (104K)
Reviews
Optimum management of glucocorticoid-treated patients
262Glucocorticoids are widely used because they have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, but they can lead to clinically important complications in many different body systems. In this Review, the different major complications are discussed and recommendations on dosing and durations of therapy are provided. Interactions with other drugs are also considered.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0791 | Full Text | PDF (166K)
Drug Insight: insulin-sensitizing drugs in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome—a reappraisal
272Insulin resistance has a pivotal role in polycystic ovary syndrome. This Review evaluates the clinical implications of findings from several recent studies on the role of insulin-sensitizing drugs, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones in polycystic ovary syndrome, with particular regard to insulin action, cardiovascular disease, hyperandrogenism, infertility and pregnancy.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0787 | Full Text | PDF (192K)
Mechanisms of Disease: advanced glycation end-products and their receptor in inflammation and diabetes complications
285Injury to the vasculature is an important adverse outcome in diabetes. In this Review, Yan et al. explore how advanced glycation end-products and their main receptor, RAGE, might have roles in the development of diabetes and some of its complications–nephropathy, atherosclerosis and inflammatory response–through activation of inflammatory signaling cascades.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0786 | Full Text | PDF (195K)
Case Study
Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a patient with hirsutism
294Hirsutism is a common presenting complaint in women of reproductive age and can cause significant psychological distress and embarrassment. This article describes the case of a 20-year-old woman in whom hirsutism was caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, and illustrates the clinical assessment, investigations and management of a patient with hirsutism.
doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0789 | Full Text | PDF (363K)
