Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(5): 398-399
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-977693
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Relative Hypoleptinemia in Poorly Controlled Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

M. C. Amato 1 , A. Ciresi 1 , P. Richiusa 1 , A. Criscimanna 1 , L. Allotta 1 , A. Mattina 1 , A. Galluzzo 1 , C. Giordano 1
  • 1Endocrinology & Metabolism Section, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Department of Experimental Oncology and Clinical Applications (DOSAC), Palermo, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 4. 10. 2006

accepted 22. 1. 2007

Publication Date:
29 May 2007 (online)

Introduction

Insulin sensitivity is strictly related to body fat mass. Several studies in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) demonstrated that insulin regulates leptin (Lep) per se, regardless of adiposity [1] [2]. On the contrary, plasma adiponectin (Apn), another molecule specifically secreted from adipocytes, is negatively correlated with insulin resistance and body mass index (BMI) [3] [4]. Unlike the HOMA-IR, an index of insulin resistance, the adiponectin/leptin ratio (A/L ratio) is not influenced by fasting glucose plasma levels and could be considered a sensitive and reliable marker of insulin resistance in T2DM. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease resulting from the T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, though glycemic control is also related to reduction in insulin sensitivity. Although it is well known that adipocytokines, principally Lep, may influence T-cell function [5] [6], their role in insulin sensitivity has not been sufficiently investigated in Type 1 diabetes.

References

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Correspondence

Prof. C. GiordanoMD 

Endocrinology & Metabolism Section

Università di Palermo

Department of Experimental Oncology and Clinical Applications (DOSAC)

Piazza delle Cliniche 2

90127 Palermo

Phone: +39/091/655 21 09

Fax: +39/091/655 21 23

Email: cgiordan@unipa.it