Impaired Response of Human Pancreatic Polypeptide to Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The secretory response of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) producing cells (PP-cells) to hypoglycemia was studied to clarify whether the function of PP-cells is impaired, along with the dysfunction of A- and B-cells in the pancreatic islets in insulin-dependent diabetics. Hyperglycemia followed by hypoglycemia was induced by successive i.v. administration of glucose (0.5 g/kg) and insulin (0.2-0.4 U/kg) at an interval of 30 min in 8 controls, 12 insulin-independent diabetics and 10 insulin-dependent diabetics. During hyperglycemia no difference in the plasma HPP decline was observed between the 3 groups. HPP-area, the index of the response of HPP to hypoglycemia, was significantly smaller in insulin-dependent diabetics, 7860 .+-. 3040 pg .cntdot. min/ml (mean .+-. [standard error of the mean]), than either in controls, 28,490 .+-. 4630 pg .cntdot. min/ml (P < 0.005) or in insulin-independent diabetics, 21,630 .+-. 4720 pg .cntdot. min/ml (P < 0.025). A marked impairment of HPP response to hypoglycemia exists in insulin-dependent diabetes. The hypofunction of HPP-producing cells, together with A- and B-cells, imply that extensive destruction of pancreatic islets plays some role in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes.