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Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Research Paper

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Type 1 diabetes mellitus has been shown to be the result of an autoimmune reaction to antigens of the beta cells of the pancreas. With an inability to secrete insulin, the body cannot utilise blood glucose and adaptions will occur in order to fuel the body’s energy needs. This poster will discuss the metabolic pathways that lead to hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis in untreated diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease due to insulin deficiency. In patients with type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile-onset diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), there is an almost or total deficiency of insulin. This is the result of an autoimmune reaction to antigens of the islet of Langerhans cells of the pancreas. The immune system attack and destroy the beta cells, which loses its ability to synthesize the hormone insulin.

In normal health, the blood glucose level is maintained by the action of …show more content…

If the levels of ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid and β-hydroxybutyrate acid) are allowed to increase, their acidic nature lowers the blood pH (low pH = high amount of acid) and hence the result is diabetic ketoacidosis. The bicarbonate/carbonic acid buffer prevents a large drop in blood pH, but even a drop of 0.3 to 0.5 pH units is sufficient to decrease the sodium concentration. A decrease of sodium ions in the interstitial fluid draws out potassium ions from the cells, which leads to impaired brain function and coma. High levels of ketone bodies and glucose in the blood also draws water out of cells. As glucose passes through the kidneys and into the urine, water follows and causes osmotic diuresis, resulting in dehydration. The classical symptom in patients with poorly controlled diabetes is the fruity smell on the breath. This is due to the volatile ketone body acetone. Other symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis is frequent urination, and increased thirst due to water

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