Download PDF
Horm Metab Res 1986; 18(4): 247-249
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1012285
Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Prolonged Plasma Half-Life of Insulin in Patients with a Genetic Defect of High Affinity Binding Sites

M. Dreyer, S. Matthaei, J. Kühnau, H. W. Rüdiger
  • Arbeitsgruppe für Erb- und Konstitutionskrankheiten, I. Medizinische Klinik, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

1984

1985

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Plasma clearance of endogenous and intravenously administered insulin was studied in three sibs with severe insulin resistance secondary to an affinity defect of their insulin receptors, and in five healthy controls. Intravenous infusion of somatostatin was used to inhibit the insulin secretion. 0.3 U of insulin/kg body weight was administered as an intravenous bolus. Plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide were determined subsequently at constant intervals. We found a prolonged plasma half-life of insulin in the three patients, being 33.5 ± 11.8 min vs 8.2 ± 2.2 min in controls, P < 0.002, but a normal half-life of C-peptide. The result indicates, that the plasma insulin clearance is predominantly mediated by intact insulin receptors. We conclude, that insulin has a prolonged half-life in all patients with insulin resistance secondary to an impaired receptor function.

Key-Words

Insulin Receptor - Insulin Resistance - Plasma Clearance of Insulin

      >