Passariello N, Paolisso G, Sgambato S, D'Onofrio F
Istituto di Medicina Generale, University of Naples, Italy.
Diabete Metab. 1987 Jul-Aug;13(4):436-40.
Fifty healthy and 12 thalassaemic subjects underwent both an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and arginine test in order to investigate their alpha and beta cell activity. While basal plasma levels were similar in both group of subjects (82 +/- 4 vs 74 +/- 4 mg/dl, p = NS), following glucose intake impaired glucose tolerance was observed in thalassaemic subjects. These subjects showed impaired insulin secretion either in steady-state conditions or after glucose intake. When an arginine test was performed in thalassaemic subjects, impaired insulin secretion with concomitant exaggeration of glucagon response was also observed. In the thalassaemic subjects no statistically significant correlations were found between impaired insulin secretion and iron overload. It is suggested that in thalassaemic subjects beta-cell dysfunction and alpha cell overactivity may lead to the development of diabetes mellitus.
50名健康受试者和12名地中海贫血患者接受了口服葡萄糖耐量试验（OGTT）和精氨酸试验，以研究他们的α细胞和β细胞活性。两组受试者的基础血浆水平相似（82±4 vs 74±4mg/dl，p=无显著性差异），但地中海贫血患者在摄入葡萄糖后出现糖耐量受损。这些受试者在稳态条件下或摄入葡萄糖后胰岛素分泌均受损。当对地中海贫血患者进行精氨酸试验时，也观察到胰岛素分泌受损，同时胰高血糖素反应增强。在地中海贫血患者中，胰岛素分泌受损与铁过载之间未发现统计学上的显著相关性。提示在地中海贫血患者中，β细胞功能障碍和α细胞活性过高可能导致糖尿病的发生。
