Abstract
Conflicting results have been reported on the possibility that a progressive deterioration of β-cell function occurs in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This paper reports a cross sectional study of C-peptide plasma levels after i.v. glucagon administration in 152 NIDDM patients. C-peptide values were negatively correlated (p <0.001) with the duration of diabetes both in obese and non-obese patients. Moreover, when the 152 patients were subdivided into 4 quartiles (from quartile 1 to 4 depending on the increasing duration of diabetes), a significant (p <0.001) and progressive decrease of C-peptide values was observed, with the highest values into quartile 1 and the lowest values into quartile 4. Finally, in a small group of 10 NIDDM patients, a longitudinal investigation was carried out by repeating C-peptide measurements 2 years after the first determination. Although the short term follow up period (only 2 years), C-peptide values were significantly lower (p <0.05) at the second determination. The observed decrease of C-peptide values was independent of changes in fasting plasma glucose, body weight and antidiabetic treatment. All together these data support the possibility that in both obese and non-obese NIDDM patients a progressive deterioration of β-cell secretory capacity takes place with increasing disease duration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-111 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Science
- Endocrinology
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Internal Medicine