Diabetes Types and Mechanisms Quiz

An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin.

A chronic disease where the body doesn't properly use or make enough insulin, often linked with obesity and insulin resistance.

High blood sugar levels, a defining characteristic of diabetes that can harm various organs over time.

A lack of insulin production by the pancreas, a root cause of high blood sugar in various types of diabetes.

A condition where the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels, often associated with type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes can be triggered by a combination of environmental factors like viral infections and genetic predisposition. Genetic factors can lead to the immune system misidentifying beta cells as foreign, resulting in their destruction.

Genetic variations, particularly in genes related to the immune system, are associated with an increased risk of Type 1 Diabetes. These variations can influence the immune system's ability to recognize and attack insulin-producing beta cells.

Variations in genes associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) contribute to T1D by influencing the immune system's misidentification of beta cells. These variations can act as indicators of the immune system's malfunction in T1D.

Type 1 Diabetes disrupts metabolic balance, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), ketonemia (elevated ketone bodies), and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in severe cases. These changes result from the lack of insulin, which normally regulates glucose and fat metabolism.

Hyperglycemia means elevated blood sugar levels. In T1D, it happens because the lack of insulin prevents glucose from entering cells for energy. The liver also produces excessive glucose, further aggravating the situation.

Ketonemia refers to high levels of ketone bodies in the blood. In T1D, the lack of insulin forces the body to break down fat for energy, resulting in the production of ketone bodies. These can build up and lead to ketoacidosis.

DKA is a serious complication of T1D characterized by an imbalance of ketones, leading to metabolic acidosis. Signs include high blood sugar, fruity breath, and nausea. DKA can occur in 25-40% of newly diagnosed patients.

The lack of insulin in T1D affects the metabolism of liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue. This leads to altered glucose utilization, fat breakdown, and imbalances in energy production.

Insulin binds to a tyrosine kinase receptor on target cells, initiating a signaling cascade.

Glucagon binds to a G protein-coupled receptor, triggering a different signaling pathway.

Insulin inhibits the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (like amino acids) in the liver.

Glucagon stimulates the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver.

Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) form when glucose binds to proteins or lipids in the body.

AGEs can trigger inflammatory pathways in the body, contributing to tissue damage.

RAGE (Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products) is found on various cells, including endothelial cells and immune cells.

Binding of AGEs to RAGE activates signaling pathways that lead to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Insulin helps glucose enter cells for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia.

In type 2 diabetes, different tissues like the liver, muscle, and fat are affected differently by insulin resistance, impacting glucose metabolism.

Once insulin is released by beta cells in the pancreas, it enters capillaries and travels through the portal circulation.

Glucose enters the systemic circulation after insulin allows it into the bloodstream.

The portal circulation is the pathway insulin takes to reach the systemic circulation, delivering glucose to various tissues.

High blood sugar stimulates the release of glucagon, which counteracts insulin's effects, further elevating blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes involves insulin deficiency, while type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance or both.

A diagnostic tool used to determine diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels without prior fasting. A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

A diagnostic test for diabetes where blood glucose levels are measured after at least 8 hours of fasting. A fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

A test assessing the body's ability to process glucose. After fasting, a sugary drink is consumed, and blood glucose levels are tracked over 2 hours.

A test measuring average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. This provides long-term control insights for individuals with diabetes.

An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher is a diagnostic criterion for diabetes. This means that a high HbA1c reading indicates long-term exposure to high blood glucose levels.

A condition characterized by blood glucose levels higher than normal but not yet reaching diabetic levels. It's often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes is characterized by a range of blood glucose levels, including fasting plasma glucose levels between 100-125 mg/dL and 2-hour OGTT levels between 140-199 mg/dL.

Chronic inflammation, a prolonged immune response, can worsen tissue damage by promoting cell death and hindering tissue repair.

The presence of glucose in the urine, often indicating blood sugar levels are too high.

Presence of ketone bodies (like β-Hydroxybutyrate) in the urine, indicating the body is burning fat for energy.

A byproduct of insulin production, its levels indicate how much insulin the pancreas is making.

This involves 2-3 insulin injections daily, aiming for a blood sugar average of 225-275 mg/dl, with an HbA1c of 8-9%

This requires 4 or more injections per day or using an insulin pump, aiming for a blood sugar average closer to 150 mg/dl, with an HbA1c around 7%

A condition where people with diabetes don't feel the usual symptoms of low blood sugar, posing a serious risk.

Exercise increases the risk of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, so it's crucial to check blood sugar before and after.

Best suited for healthy individuals with a long life expectancy, aiming to prevent long-term complications.

Focuses on lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, and dietary modifications to control blood sugar.