Positive Correlation of PTH-Related Peptide with Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract EN

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance in the setting of inadequate beta-cell compensation.

Recent studies indicate that for attaining a well-functioning ß-cell mass, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a very promising candidate among several insulinotropic peptides.

In order to elucidate its role, we determine the levels of PTHrP, insulin and c-peptide in type 2 diabetics and in normal subjects in the fasting state.

We enrolled 28 patients (16 men and 12 postmenopausal women) with type 2 diabetes and twenty eight aged-matched healthy individuals as control subjects (15 men and 13 women).

PTHrP was statistically significant correlated with glucose in type 2 diabetes and in normal subjects in the fasting state.

Additionally, PTHrP serum levels exhibited a significant increase in type 2 diabetes compared to control subjects.

Interestingly, PTHrP showed a positive correlation with insulin levels only among healthy individuals presumably due to defective glucose stimulated insulin secretion known to occur in type 2 diabetics.

In conclusion ,the strong positive relation of PTHrP with glucose in the fasting state in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus raises several questions for further experimentation concerning its exact role and physiological significance.