Diabetes Can Cause a Sugar Coating That Smothers Body's Immune Defences, Researchers Find

ScienceDaily (Aug. 23, 2010) — Research led by the Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick has found that unhealthy glucose levels in patients with diabetes can cause significantly more problems for the body than just the well-known symptoms of the disease such as kidney damage and circulation problems. The raised glucose can also form what can be described as a sugar coating that can effectively smother and block the mechanisms our bodies use to detect and fight bacterial and fungal infections.

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n diabetes, patients suffer a higher risk of chr

onic bacterial and fungal infections but until now little has been known about the mechanisms involved. Now new research led by Dr Daniel Mitchell at the University of Warwick's Warwick Medical School has found a novel relationship between high glucose and the immune system in humans. The researchers have found that specialized receptors that recognize molecules associated with bacteria and fungi become "blind" when glucose levels rise above healthy levels. The new research may also help explain why diabetic complications can also include increased risk of viral infections such as influenza, and also inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

The researchers looked at the similarities in chemical structure between glucose in blood and body fluids, and two other sugar called mannose and fucose. These sugars are found on the surfaces of bacteria and fungi and act as targets for receptors in our body that have evolved to detect and bind to microbial sugars to then combat the infection.

The research found that high levels of glucose outcompetes the binding of mannose and fucose to the specialized immune receptors, potentially blocking these receptors from detecting infectious bacteria and fungi. Glucose also binds in such a way that it inhibits the chemical processes that would normally then follow to combat infections. If this happens it can inhibit a range of key processes including:

• It can inhibit the function of immune system receptors called C-type lectins such as MBL (Mannose-binding lectin) which are known to bind to a sugar known as mannose that is present in the structure of infectious fungal bacterial cell walls. Unlike glucose, mannose does not exist in mammals as a free sugar in the blood.
• The loss of MBL function may also predispose the body to chronic inflammatory diseases, since MBL is involved in the processing and clearance of apoptotic cells (dying cells).
• A number of C-type lectins tat can be affected by raised glucose levels, including MBL, but also including immune cell surface receptors DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR, are found in key parts of our circulation and vascular system such as plasma, monocytes, platelets and endothelial cells that line blood vessels. Inhibiting the function of these key molecules in those settings could contribute to diabetic cardiovascular and renal complications.

Warwick Medical School researcher Dr Daniel Mitchell said:

"Our findings offer a new perspective on how high glucose can potentially affect immunity and thus exert a negative impact on health. It also helps to emphasize the importance of good diet on preventing or controlling diseases such as diabetes. We will build on these ideas in order to consolidate the disease model and to investigate new routes to treatment and prevention."

The research will be published in the journal Immunobiology. The full list of authors is: Dr Daniel Mitchell, Dr Harpal S. Randeva, Rebecca Ilyas, Bee K. Tan, and Daniel Zehnder of the Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick; Hendrik Lehnert of the University of Warwick and the First Medical Department, University of Lübeck, Germany; Russell Wallis of the Department of Infection and Immunity, University of Leicester; Elizabeth J. Soilleux of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford; Robert B. Sim of the MRC Immunochemistry Unit, University of Oxford, UK ; and Paul Townsend of the Infection, Inflammation and Immunology Division, University of Southampton.

Celebration of Excellence Gala Program Announced

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – “Texas Proud” perfectly describes this year’s The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala. The premier event honoring the 2010 Hometown Heroes includes performances by the popular band The NiteBeat Band and will feature an incredible raffle, live and silent auctions. Senator Tommy and Marsha Williams will serve as the Honorary Chairs and news anchor Art Rascon from KTRK-TV 13 Eyewitness News, the Houston affiliate of ABC, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

“In keeping with the tradition of this wonderful event, the community will gather to pay tribute to the 2010 Hometown Heroes,” expressed Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands.

Also, the evening will consist of an impressive raffle- a $15,000 gift certificate to Donoho’s Jewellers, as well as a live and silent auction. “Both auctions will provide an opportunity for people to place bids on fantastic items such as Continental Airlines BusinessFirst international plane tickets, destination vacation packages including upscale hotel rooms and a BMW weekend rental, custom jewelry, portrait packages, and much more,” said Snyder. Raffle tickets are available before the event by calling 832 615-8230.

Concluding the night, the popular Houston band, NightBeat Band, will provide sounds of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80's, the Top 40, Rhythm and Blues, Country, Mo-Town classics, Broadway Show Tunes, and Big Band era music for the audience to enjoy.

“The NiteBeat Band, was definitely a guest favorite last year with their combination of world-class vocals and musicianship; they are sure to impress again this year,” shared Snyder.

The celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. All proceeds from the gala will help support Interfaith of The Woodlands’ Programs and Services.

Major underwriters for the event are Founder’s Circle ($30,000) sponsors Huntsman Corporation and George Lindahl & Dianne Dakota. Circle of Excellence ($25,000) sponsor The Woodlands Development Company and Circle of Honor Sponsor ($20,000) Andy & Kim Remy. Circle of Giving ($10,000) sponsors are Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Jim & Nelda Blair, Brian & Lorri Petrauskas, Senator Tommy Williams/Woodforest Financial Services, The Montgomery County Women’s Shelter, and Woodforest National Bank.

Sponsorship packages and individual tickets for the gala are available. For sponsorship opportunities or information on the event, contact Mary Jo O’Neal.

The Family Business

On TCM right now, Melville's story Billy Budd is on. This is one of my favorite stories in American Literature. Claggart is a son of a bitch and malicious and callous about human life, and he gets off on meting out punishments. He's also stricken with jealousy because of Billy. Billy is young and brash and inexperienced (according to Claggart), but he's also BEAUTIFUL.

Current criticisms say that Claggart was attracted to Budd, fascinated by his youth and beauty - even though he was a man. And his fascination disgusted him. Claggart is one of the most repulsive characers I've ever encountered.

I don't know who is playing Claggart, but he's doing well portraying this character. Billy Budd is being played by Terrance Stamp, whom I've always loved, OMG, but damn. He's really VERY VERY pretty.