Dr. Ritter,
I was wondering if a factor in the high mortality rates of diabetic stroke victim could have to do with poor uptake of glucose to leukocytes and other cells, which would aid in recovery. As we know, these cells require glucose as a source of energy, and poor cellular glucose uptake is a major problem of diabetes (especially type II). With a decreased amount of energy it seems the cells involved in the mending processes would be greatly hindered. Is there any research looking in to this or am I just completely mistaken?
1 comment:
This is a good question. Regarding glucose uptake in the brain after stroke, some work done in the 1980's seems to indicate that glucose uptake in the area of ischemic injury (but the area not yet dead) in the diabetic brain may be somewhat different than in the non-diabetic brain, but the body of evidence for this is not strong.
Regarding leukocytes, I honestly do not know if diabetes alters their sensitivity to glucose. Ill have to check on this! We do know that leukocytes from diabetecs are capable of being activated, and for that matter, are thought to be "hyperactivated" in diabetic people and animals (in the absence of ischemia), so this fact argues against a blunted response from glucose.
Dr. Ritter
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