Role of C-Peptide in the Regulation of Microvascular Blood Flow

• Published in: Experimental diabetes research Vol. 2008; no. 2008; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Weber, Matthias M., Kunt, Thomas, Wilhelm, B., Pfützner, Andreas, Forst, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Puplishing Corporation 01.01.2008; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Blood circulation disorders; Blood flow; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; C-Peptide - physiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - physiopathology; Diabetic Angiopathies - physiopathology; Diabetics; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Erythrocyte Deformability - physiology; Health aspects; Humans; Microcirculation - physiology; Nitric Oxide - physiology; Physiological aspects; Polypeptides; Review; Risk factors; Germany
• ISSN: 1687-5214; 2314-6745; 1687-5303; 2314-6753
• DOI: 10.1155/2008/176245

During the recent years, the role of C-peptide, released from the pancreatic beta cell, in regulating microvascular blood flow, has received increasing attention. In type 1 diabetic patients, intravenous application of C-peptide in physiological concentrations was shown to increase microvascular blood flow, and to improve microvascular endothelial function and the endothelial release of NO. C-peptide was shown to impact microvascular blood flow by several interactive pathways, like stimulating Na+K+ATPase or the endothelial release of NO. There is increasing evidence, that in patients with declining beta cell function, the lack of C-peptide secretion might play a putative role in the development of microvascular blood flow abnormalities, which go beyond the effects of declining insulin secretion or increased blood glucose levels.