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Plasma met-enkephalin in type I diabetes
M Negri1, G Tonnarini, M D'Alessandro
1Istituto II Clinica Medica, Universita degli Studi La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|May 1, 1992
Summary
This study found higher met-enkephalin levels in type I diabetic patients compared to healthy individuals. This suggests a potential link between met-enkephalin and impaired insulin feedback in diabetes mellitus.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Opioid peptides are implicated in glucose homeostasis.
- Previous research suggests a role for endogenous opioids in metabolic regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma levels of beta-endorphin (beta-END) and met-enkephalin (met-ENK) in patients with type I diabetes.
- To explore the relationship between these opioid peptides and glucose metabolism in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of beta-END and met-ENK were measured in 22 type I diabetic patients and 15 healthy women.
- Measurements were taken before and 1 hour after a standard meal and insulin therapy administration.
- Statistical analysis included Student's t test to compare groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in plasma beta-END levels were observed between diabetics and controls.
- Plasma met-ENK levels were significantly higher in type I diabetic patients compared to controls both before and after meal/insulin administration (P < .005).
- Specifically, pre-meal levels were 68 +/- 3 pg/mL in diabetics vs. 32 +/- 7 pg/mL in controls, and post-meal levels were 81 +/- 9 pg/mL vs. 32 +/- 7 pg/mL, respectively.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report demonstrating elevated met-ENK levels in IDDM.
- The findings suggest a potential impairment in the insulin/met-enkephalin feedback system in type I diabetes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of met-enkephalin in diabetes pathophysiology.