Persistence of prolonged C-peptide production in type 1 diabetes as measured with an ultrasensitive C-peptide assay

L Wang, NF Lovejoy, DL Faustman - Diabetes care, 2012 - Am Diabetes Assoc
L Wang, NF Lovejoy, DL Faustman
Diabetes care, 2012Am Diabetes Assoc
OBJECTIVE To examine persistence of C-peptide production by ultrasensitive assay years
after onset of type 1 diabetes and factors associated with preserving β-cell function.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serum C-peptide levels, a marker of insulin
production and surviving β-cells, were measured in human subjects (n= 182) by
ultrasensitive assay, as was β-cell functioning. Twenty-two times more sensitive than
standard assays, this assay's lower detection limit is 1.5 pmol/L. Disease duration, age at …
OBJECTIVE
To examine persistence of C-peptide production by ultrasensitive assay years after onset of type 1 diabetes and factors associated with preserving β-cell function.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Serum C-peptide levels, a marker of insulin production and surviving β-cells, were measured in human subjects (n = 182) by ultrasensitive assay, as was β-cell functioning. Twenty-two times more sensitive than standard assays, this assay’s lower detection limit is 1.5 pmol/L. Disease duration, age at onset, age, sex, and autoantibody titers were analyzed by regression analysis to determine their relationship to C-peptide production. Another group of four patients was serially studied for up to 20 weeks to examine C-peptide levels and functioning.
RESULTS
The ultrasensitive assay detected C-peptide in 10% of individuals 31–40 years after disease onset and with percentages higher at shorter duration. Levels as low as 2.8 ± 1.1 pmol/L responded to hyperglycemia with increased C-peptide production, indicating residual β-cell functioning. Several other analyses showed that β-cells, whose C-peptide production was formerly undetectable, were capable of functioning. Multivariate analysis found disease duration (β = −2.721; P = 0.005) and level of zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (β = 0.127; P = 0.015) significantly associated with C-peptide production. Unexpectedly, onset at >40 years of age was associated with low C-peptide production, despite short disease duration.
CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasensitive assay revealed that C-peptide production persists for decades after disease onset and remains functionally responsive. These findings suggest that patients with advanced disease, whose β-cell function was thought to have long ceased, may benefit from interventions to preserve β-cell function or to prevent complications.
Am Diabetes Assoc