Effect of insulin on serum amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The effect of insulin on the serum levels of the amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) was investigated in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, whose disease was unsatisfactorily controlled by oral drugs. Before insulin therapy the PIIINP values of the patients (3.2 +/- 1.3 micrograms/l, n = 38) varied within the range of healthy subjects (3.1 +/- 0.6 micrograms/l, n = 50, NS). Insulin therapy (6-20 IU at bedtime plus the oral drugs) improved the glycemic control and increased the serum PIIINP during a 4 week (3.1 +/- 0.9 to 3.8 +/- 1.1 micrograms/l, P less than 0.01, n = 8) and an 8 week period (3.2 +/- 1.3 to 3.8 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l, P less than 0.001, n = 22). The values were still elevated after 6 months on insulin (3.5 +/- 1.5 to 4.0 +/- 1.7 micrograms/l, P less than 0.01, n = 12). Placebo-insulin did not alter the concentration of PIIINP (3.1 +/- 0.6 to 2.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms/l, NS, n = 8) whereas the glycemic control improved and body weight decreased. The PIIINP values correlated with fasting insulin before (r = 0.403, P less than 0.05, n = 30) and after the therapy (r = 0.452, P less than 0.001, n = 60). Insulin therapy, while correcting the hormone deficiency and restoring glucose and protein metabolism, seems to activate the synthesis of type III procollagen in patients with NIDDM. This may promote the atherosclerotic process.
Sotaniemi
E A
EA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
Stenbäck
F G
FG
Risteli
L
L
Vuori
J A
JA
Rautio
A
A
Huupponen
R
R
Risteli
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D005947:Glucose