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Hyperproinsulinaemia in acromegaly: evidence for abnormal pancreatic beta-cell function?
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK.
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|November 21, 1997
Summary
Acromegaly patients show higher proinsulin and insulin levels, indicating pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction. This dysfunction may contribute to glucose intolerance in acromegaly.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Diabetes Pathogenesis
Background:
- Acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone, is associated with glucose intolerance.
- The precise role of pancreatic beta-cell function in acromegaly-related glucose intolerance requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in acromegaly.
- To compare proinsulin, insulin, C-peptide, and glucose levels in acromegalic patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Oral glucose tolerance test (75g) performed on six acromegalic patients and eight healthy controls.
- Measurement of plasma intact proinsulin, immunoreactive insulin, C-peptide, and glucose concentrations.
Main Results:
- Acromegalic patients exhibited higher fasting and integrated insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin levels compared to controls.
- Integrated proinsulin:insulin molar ratios were elevated in acromegalic patients.
- Insulin:C-peptide molar ratios remained similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Hyperproinsulinaemia contributes to the overall hyperinsulinaemia observed in active acromegaly.
- Disproportionate hyperproinsulinaemia suggests potential pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in acromegaly.
- This dysfunction may predispose individuals with acromegaly to glucose intolerance.