ISSN:
1432-0428
Keywords:
Proinsulin
;
insulin
;
C-peptide
;
identical twins
;
Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were studied in two groups of non-diabetic identical twins of recently-diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients: (1) a group of 5 twins with islet cell antibodies, and (2) a group of 6 twins without. Despite similar fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations both groups of twins had significantly higher fasting proinsulin concentrations than the control group (p〈0.05). The twins with complement-fixing islet cell antibodies had reduced glucose tolerance and clearance, whilst the twins without islet cell antibodies did not. Neither group of twins showed any abnormality in insulin, C-peptide or proinsulin response to oral or intravenous glucose. We conclude that increased fasting proinsulin levels precede abnormalities of insulin secretion, and are an early indication of minor B-cell damage in these twins irrespective of their risk of developing diabetes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00276853
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