title: C-peptide revisited--new physiological effects and therapeutic implications.
abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated that replacement of C-peptide to normal physiological concentrations in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients on a short-term basis (1-3 h) results in decreased glomerular hyperfiltration, augmented glucose utilization and improved autonomic nervous function. More prolonged administration (1-3 months) of C-peptide to IDDM patients is accompanied by improvements in both renal and autonomic nervous function. Moreover, both in-vitro and in-vivo studies indicate that C-peptide may have a role in the regulation of insulin secretion. The effects of C-peptide may in part be explained by its ability to stimulate Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. In conclusion, the combined findings indicate that C-peptide is a biologically active hormone. The possibility that C-peptide therapy in IDDM patients may be beneficial should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wahren
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wallberg-Henriksson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernqvist-Forbes
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zierath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000502:physiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002096:C-Peptide; D005947:Glucose