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Growth hormone abuse is prevalent in sport because of the perceived benefits on lean muscle mass, strength, and performance. As discussed in this Viewpoint, however, inappropriate use of growth hormone might be associated with adverse effects, such as hypertension and cardiomyopathy, particularly when athletes concurrently abuse anabolic androgen steroids.
Although niacin reduces cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or the metabolic syndrome, it is considered a reserve therapeutic agent because of adverse effects on glycemic control. The author of this Viewpoint argues, however, that the lipoprotein-altering effects of niacin might outweigh the potential hazards of niacin-mediated hyperglycemia.
Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) describes the syndromes of defective glucose regulation and hypoglycemia unawareness. Originally characterized in type 1 diabetes, the author of this Viewpoint suggests that HAAF is also a component of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, and represents a barrier to glycemic control.
Although the success rate of islet transplantation for patients with type 1 diabetes has improved, many issues still need to be resolved. In this Viewpoint, the authors highlight areas of concern, including the inefficiency of current isolation protocols and the occurrence of adverse events, and ask how the efficacy of this procedure can be enhanced.
