Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination
Published on: June 25, 2014
Insulin release in cystic fibrosis
Insights
Children with cystic fibrosis show a reduced early insulin response to glucose, suggesting pancreatic fibrosis impacts insulin secretion and may contribute to diabetes risk. This finding was consistent across most patients studied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder primarily affecting the pancreas.
- Pancreatic dysfunction in CF can lead to malabsorption and potentially endocrine complications.
- The early insulin response to glucose in pediatric CF patients is not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early insulin secretory capacity in response to intravenous glucose challenge in children with cystic fibrosis.
- To correlate insulin response and glucose disappearance rate with clinical parameters in CF patients.
Main Methods:
- Seven pediatric patients (8 months to 9.5 years) with cystic fibrosis underwent rapid intravenous glucose injection.
- Plasma insulin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay.
- Blood glucose levels were determined, and the glucose disappearance rate (kG) was calculated.
Main Results:
- Most pediatric CF patients exhibited significantly lower early insulin response compared to normal controls.
- The glucose disappearance rate (kG) was normal in the studied CF cohort.
- Insulin response and kG did not correlate with disease duration or Shwachman score.
Conclusions:
- Progressive pancreatic fibrosis in cystic fibrosis likely impairs early insulin secretion.
- Reduced insulin response may predispose CF patients to the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus observed in the condition.
- Findings suggest a link between pancreatic exocrine and endocrine dysfunction in CF.
Abstract:
Early insulin response to rapid intravenous injection of glucose was studied in 7 cases of cystic fibrosis aged 8 months to 9 1/2 years. Plasma insulin was measured with a radioimmunological method. Blood glucose values were determined and the glucose disappearance rate (kG) calculated. In all children except the youngest one the early insulin response values were low compared with normal children. The kG-values were normal and correlated neither to the duration of clinical symptoms, nor to the patients' actual clinical condition measured by means of the Shwachman score. The explanation of the decreased insulin response is probably the progressive fibrosis of the pancreas. This may also explain the reported increased incidence of diabetes mellitus in cystic fibrosis. Comparison is made with the condition in pancreatic fibrosis in rabbits, produced through duct ligation.
Related Concept Videos
Insulin Secretory Vesicles
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...

