Experimental Diabetes Research
Volume 2008 (2008), Article ID 769483, 3 pages
doi:10.1155/2008/769483
Review Article

Influence of C-Peptide on Glucose Utilisation

B. Wilhelm,1,2 P. Kann,2 and A. Pfützner1

1Institute for Clinical Research and Development, Parcusstraße 8, Mainz 55116, Germany
2Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Philipps University, Marburg 35032, Germany

Received 25 October 2007; Accepted 10 January 2008

Academic Editor: Thomas Forst

Copyright © 2008 B. Wilhelm et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

During the recent years, multiple studies demonstrated that C-peptide is not an inert peptide, but exerts important physiological effects. C-peptide binds to cell membranes, stimulates the Na,K-ATPase and the endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Moreover, there is evidence that C-peptide decreases glomerular hyperfiltration and increases glucose utilisation. Nevertheless, there is still limited knowledge concerning mechanisms leading to an increased glucose utilisation either in rats or in humans. The aim of this paper is to give an overview over the published studies regarding C-peptide and glucose metabolism from in vitro studies to longer lasting studies in humans.