Insulin binding to isolated monocytes and adipocytes in the study of hypoglycemic subjects and in the follow-up of patients with insulinoma

The present study was performed to see whether insulin receptor evaluation is useful as a diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia. The receptor numbers and affinity constants of insulin binding to adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous tissue were determined in 5 metabolically h...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inDiabete & metabolisme Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 14
Main Authors Pagano, G, Trovati, M, Cassader, M, Bozzo, C, Masciola, P, Carta, Q, Lorenzati, R, Lenti, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published France 01.01.1983
Subjects
Adenoma, Islet Cell - diagnosis
Adipose Tissue - metabolism
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Hypoglycemia - diagnosis
Hypoglycemia - etiology
Hypoglycemia - metabolism
Insulin - metabolism
Insulinoma - diagnosis
Insulinoma - metabolism
Male
Middle Aged
Monocytes - metabolism
Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnosis
Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism
Receptor, Insulin - metabolism
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The present study was performed to see whether insulin receptor evaluation is useful as a diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia. The receptor numbers and affinity constants of insulin binding to adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous tissue were determined in 5 metabolically healthy subjects, undergoing laparatomy for cholecystectomy, and in 4 patients undergoing surgery for insulinoma removal. The specific insulin binding to monocytes at physiological concentrations (1 ng/ml) was also determined in all these subjects, and in 6 patients with functional hypoglycemia. The study was repeated in insulinoma patients 7 days after surgery. Results show that insulinoma patients before tumor removal have greater than 50% fall in binding capacity on both monocytes and fat cells, in keeping with the down-regulation mechanism, whereas the values for patients with functional hypoglycemia are in the normal range. After surgery, the insulin binding to monocytes sharply increased, nearly to the lower level of the normal range when the insulinoma was removed; no change was observed when the tumor was not resected (case 3). Insulin receptor study may therefore be of diagnostic and prognostic assistance in the investigation of hypoglycemic syndromes.
ISSN:0338-1684