title: The beta-cell response to glucagon and mixed meal stimulation in non-insulin dependent diabetes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations of the C-peptide and insulin responses after stimulation with glucagon intravenously as well as the 24-h urinary excretion of C-peptide to the C-peptide response to a standard mixed meal in 30 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Fasting plasma C-peptide as well as the C-peptide and insulin responses to glucagon, showed similar but only modest correlations with the C-peptide response to the meal. Urinary C-peptide showed no correlation with the C-peptide response to the meal, but correlated modestly with fasting plasma C-peptide (r = 0.55, p less than 0.01). The C-peptide and insulin responses after meal stimulation correlated modestly inversely with HbA1. In conclusion, measurement of C-peptide in fasting state, as well as measurements of C-peptide and insulin after glucagon stimulation, only modestly predict the C-peptide response to physiologic stimulation in NIDDM. Twenty-four-hour urinary C-peptide excretion does not predict this response. Patients with NIDDM seem to show a better metabolic control if they have a more pronounced beta-cell response to physiologic stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Fredericia Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gjessing
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Damsgaard
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Matzen
authors.forename: O K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frøland
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005502:Food; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon