Study of pancreatic islet cell function in cirrhotic patients due to hepatitis C virus

The liver is of key importance in the proper functioning of most of endocrine system. It is a major organ for metabolic degradation of many hormones. In chronic liver disease, there is a change in the concentrations of main pancreatic hormones. In this study, we aimed to study pancreatic islet cell hormones in non ascitic non diabetic cirrhotic HCV patients by measuring these hormones basally and after intravenous glucose load with different concentrations to evaluate pattern of endocrine pancreatic hormonal response at increasing glucose concentration. This case-control study included 25 non ascitic non diabetic patients with cirrhosis due to HCV infection; age ranged from 28 to 60 years. They were selected from outpatient clinic of National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute [NHTMRI] during June 2004 to January 2005. Fifteen age and sex matched apparently healthy control subjects from same area were also included in study. Assessment of pancreatic islet cell function was done by assaying insulin, C-peptide, somatostatin and glucagon hormones. All hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay [RIA] for both patients and controls. Basal insulin, basal somatostatin and basal glucagons levels were significantly higher than that of controls [p<0.05]. Basal C-peptide was significantly lower than that of controls [p<0.05]. After intravenous glucose load with different concentrations 5%, 10% and 25%, insulin level showed a significant increase than controls [p<0.05], while other hormones showed no significant difference as compared to controls [p>0.05]. Pancreatic islet cell functional defects with liver cirrhosis due to HCV infection

Somatostatin gastrin and c-peptide in thyroid dysfunction

Three groups of subjects were chosen: 20 patients with primary hypothyroidism, 20 patients with primary hyperthyroidism, and 15 euthyroid subjects as a control group. Plasma somatostatin, gastrin and C peptide were determined in both fasting and 1-hour postprandial after standard oral glucose load, FT3, FT4, TSH, oral glucose tolerance curve, serum cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined. It was found that both basal and stimulated somatostatin plasma concentrations were elevated in hypothyroidism and diminished in hyperthyroidism. On the contrary, serum gastrin and C peptide were decreased. Elevated somatostatin level in hypothyroidism has an inhibitory effect on gastrin and C peptide was elevated in hyperthyroidism, however, glucose intolerance was noticed in only 20% of these subjects. Elevated gastrin level in hyperthyroidism suggests a role for gastrointestinal disturbances observed in these patients