Summary
Specific insulin degrading enzyme activity of erythrocytes was determined in relation to erythrocyte insulin binding in 16 healthy subjects, 14 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and various groups of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients (n = 39). Degrading activity was increased in Type 2 diabetic patients on sulphonylureas, as well as in a subgroup with good metabolic control (p<0.001) and in patients with secondary failure to oral therapy (p<0.02); degrading activity returned to normal in the latter patients after 1 week of insulin treatment. Highest degrading activity was found in insulintreated, yet insulin-insensitive patients (daily insulin dose >80 U). Degrading activity was significantly correlated in healthy subjects both with circulating insulin concentrations and maximal specific insulin binding. In contrast, in Type 2 diabetic subjects, degrading activity was inversely correlated with serum insulin with no apparent association with maximal specific insulin binding except in those patients given 1 week of insulin treatment. High erythrocyte insulin degrading enzyme activity might be a common feature in the insulin-insensitive Type 2 diabetic patient and might occur subsequent to some aspect of insulin deficiency at the tissue level.
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Standl, E., Kolb, H.J. Insulin degrading enzyme activity and insulin binding of erythrocytes in normal subjects and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Diabetologia 27, 17–22 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00253495
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00253495