Oscillatory insulin secretion after pancreas transplant

• Published in: Diabetes (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 42; no. 6; pp. 855 - 861
• Main Authors: O'MEARA, N. M, STURIS, J, BLACKMAN, J. D, BYRNE, M. M, JASPAN, J. B, ROLAND, D. C, THISTLETHWAITE, J. R, POLONSKY, K. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA American Diabetes Association 01-06-1993
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; C-Peptide - blood; Humans; Insulin; Insulin - blood; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin Secretion; Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, portal circulation, spleen; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pancreas; Pancreas transplantation; Pancreas Transplantation - physiology; Pancreatic beta cells; Physiological aspects; Secretory Rate; Spectrum Analysis; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Transplantation; Human; Pancreatic hormone; Cell function; Peptides; Transplantation; Glucose; Homotransplantation; Insulin; C-Peptide; Endocrine secretion; Protein hormone; B-Cell; Surgery; Oscillation; Pulse analyzer; Hormonal investigation; Pancreas
• ISSN: 0012-1797; 1939-327X
• DOI: 10.2337/diab.42.6.855

In vivo studies of beta-cell secretory function have demonstrated the existence of rapid insulin oscillations of small amplitude recurring every 8-15 min in normal subjects. This study evaluated the effects of pancreas transplant on rapid insulin oscillations. Samples for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were drawn during constant glucose infusion at 2-min intervals for 90 min from six successful Px patients with type I diabetes mellitus, from six normal nondiabetic control subjects, and from three Kx subjects. A computerized algorithm (ULTRA) was used for pulse detection. In the Px group, the average insulin pulse period was significantly shorter than in both the control and Kx groups (Px 8.1 +/- 0.5, control 12.5 +/- 0.7, Kx 12.4 +/- 0.5 min, P < 0.0005). By contrast, the C-peptide pulse periods (Px 16.8 +/- 2.3, control 14.7 +/- 1.2, Kx 15.3 +/- 1.5 min) were similar in the three groups. Spectral analysis confirmed that the frequency of the insulin pulses was increased in the Px group. The absolute amplitude of the insulin pulses was greater in the Px group (P < 0.001) while the amplitude of the C-peptide pulses did not differ between the groups. Cross-correlation analysis demonstrated maximal correlation coefficients at a lag of 0 min between insulin and C-peptide (control r = 0.33, P < 0.0001; Kx r = 0.17, P = 0.06) and between insulin and glucose (control r = 0.21, P < 0.001; Kx r = 0.20, P < 0.02) in the control and Kx groups, respectively, whereas no significant correlations were observed at any lag in the Px group.