DIACATOR - SIMULATION OF METABOLIC ABNORMALITIES OF TYPE-II DIABETES-MELLITUS BY USE OF A PERSONAL-COMPUTER

A computer program has been developed to simulate non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2). This disease is characterized by an impaired function of the pancreatic beta-cell and by an insufficient insulin sensitivity of the peripheral tissue. The program simulates the dependences of glucose utilization, glucose production and serum insulin level as a function of glucose and insulin and displays the results as curves on the screen. Six different states of diabetes/glucose intolerance as well as a healthy state can be selected. Renal glucose excretion can be adjusted by selection of the glomerular filtration rate. Action of sulphonylureas are simulated by changing the insulin secretion rate of the beta-cell, biguanides enhance sensitivity of the peripheral tissue for insulin and Acarbose delays glucose absorption from the intestines. Model parameters are taken from the literature. The program can be used for computer-aided medical education and for simulation of special problems in research.