Muscle protein breakdown in uncontrolled diabetes as assessed by urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion.
In an attempt to evaluate muscle protein catabolism in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine was measured in eight diabetic subjects, during poor control and after achievement of satisfactory control. The results were compared with the excretion values of ten healthy subjects fed a similar amount of meat. In the diabetic patients in poor metabolic control, 3-methylhistidine excretion was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects, and returned to normal when a satisfactory glycaemic control was achieved. No significant differences were observed between ketonuric and non-ketonuric uncontrolled patients. Improved glycaemic control reduced 3-methylhistidine excretion in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. These results suggest increased protein catabolism causing muscle protein loss and negative nitrogen balance in diabetic patients with poorly controlled disease.
D000328:Adult; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006029:Glycosuria; D006639:Histidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008762:Methylhistidines; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D006639:Histidine; C028118:3-methylhistidine