Simple measures to monitor beta-cell mass and assess islet graft dysfunction

Am J Transplant. 2007 Feb;7(2):303-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2006.01620.x. Epub 2006 Dec 6.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a simple test for the assessment of islet graft dysfunction based on measures involving fasting C-peptide. Calculations were made to account for the dependence of C-peptide secretion on glucose concentration (C-peptide/glucose ratio [CP/G]) and adjusted for renal function by calculating the C-peptide/glucose-creatinine ratio (CP/GCr). Values from 22 recipients were analyzed at different times post-last islet infusion. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine which of these measures best predicts high 90-minute glucose (90 min-Glc; >10 mmol/L) after a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT). In this initial analysis, CP/G was found to be superior predicting high 90 min-Glc with a larger area under the ROC curve than C-peptide (p = 0.01) and CP/GCr (p = 0.06). We then correlated C-peptide and CP/G with islet equivalents--IEQ/kg infused, 90 min-Glc after MMTT and clinical outcome (beta-score). C-peptide and CP/G in the first 3 months post-last islet infusion correlated with IEQ/kg infused. CP/G correlated with 90 min-Glc and beta-score. C-peptide and CP/G are good indicators of islet mass transplanted. CP/G is more indicative of graft dysfunction and clinical outcome than C-peptide alone. The ease of calculation and the good correlation with other tests makes this ratio a practical tool when monitoring and managing islet transplant recipients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • C-Peptide / blood*
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / blood*
  • Graft Rejection / diagnosis
  • Graft Rejection / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology*
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / pathology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • ROC Curve
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Peptide
  • Creatinine