Twenty-four hour profiles of plasma C-peptide in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children.
Twenty-four hour profiles of plasma C-peptide, an index of endogenous insulin secretion, were performed in 15 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children. Plasma C-peptide was detectable in six children, of whom four ('C-peptide producers') had peak values above normal fasting levels. In each of the six children with residual B cell function, there was a close correlation between plasma C-peptide and simultaneous blood glucose (r greater than 0.50, p less than 0.05). Post-breakfast peak blood glucose was 10.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/l (mean +/- SEM) in the 'C-peptide producers' and 18.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/l in the 11 children with low or no detectable C-peptide. Mean M-value, an index of deviation from an ideal blood glucose, was lower in the 'C-peptide producers' (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that residual functioning B cells in diabetic children behave physiologically in that insulin secretion fluctuates in accordance with the prevailing blood glucose; and that the pattern of action of injected insulin is more critical in non-C peptide producers who lack the post-prandial dampening effect provided by residual endogenous insulin secretion.
D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin; D010455:Peptides