Positive correlation of PTH-related peptide with glucose in type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance in the setting of inadequate beta-cell compensation. Recent studies indicate that for attaining a well-functioning ss-cell mass, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a very promising candidate among several insulinotropic peptides. In order to elucidate its role, we determine the levels of PTHrP, insulin and c-peptide in type 2 diabetics and in normal subjects in the fasting state. We enrolled 28 patients (16 men and 12 postmenopausal women) with type 2 diabetes and twenty eight aged-matched healthy individuals as control subjects (15 men and 13 women). PTHrP was statistically significant correlated with glucose in type 2 diabetes and in normal subjects in the fasting state. Additionally, PTHrP serum levels exhibited a significant increase in type 2 diabetes compared to control subjects. Interestingly, PTHrP showed a positive correlation with insulin levels only among healthy individuals presumably due to defective glucose stimulated insulin secretion known to occur in type 2 diabetics. In conclusion, the strong positive relation of PTHrP with glucose in the fasting state in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus raises several questions for further experimentation concerning its exact role and physiological significance.
Legakis
Ioannis
I
Department of Endocrinology, Henry Dynant Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece. ilegak@med.uoa.gr
Mantouridis
Timos
T
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein