Secretory B-cell activity in insulin dependent maturity-onset diabetic.

In 10 insulin dependent maturity onset diabetics we found elevated basal C-Peptide levels (4.78 +/- 0.5 ng/ml. Normal range 1.1--3.6 ng/ml), which could be suppressed by insulin injection to the same extent as in sulfonylurea treated diabetics could be demonstrated. C-Peptide immunoreactivity in these patients therefore seems to be newly secreted rather than accumulated material. Since adrenalectomized patients could be suppressed in the same way, it is likely, that catecholamines are not the major factor in the mechanism of suppression. Therefore only decrease of bloodsugar levels seems to be accountable for the decrease of C-Petide levels. High C-Petide levels in insulin dependent maturity onset diabetics which cannot be stimulated but suppressed may be explained by a loss of glucoreceptor molecules.