Physiological Role of C-Peptide in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Call for Papers

During the recent years the understanding of the physiological role of C-peptide in humans has been reconsidered. As a primary thought to play an exclusive role in the biosynthesis and creation of the tertiary structure of proinsulin, a couple of studies in the past decade have consistently revealed several additional biological functions of the peptide. C-peptide is bound specifically to the cell membrane and activates specific intracellular signalling pathways like the activation of the NaKATPase or the stimulation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthethase with subsequent release of NO. Several studies in animals and humans have shown that supplementation with C-peptide results in vasodilation and an improvement in the blood viscosity with subsequent improvement in microvascular blood flow in different tissues. In patients with diabetes, mellitus type 1 substitution with physiological concentrations of C-peptide indicated to generate beneficial effects on neural and renal functions and might be able to slow the progression or even treat diabetic microvascular complications. During the recent years, a couple of studies provided important new insights into the physiology and clinical role of C-peptide. The aim of this special issue should be to give a comprehensive overview about the current knowledge of the physiological effects of C-peptide and to provide some visions on the potential clinical implications of C-peptide supplementation in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Authors should follow the Experimental Diabetes Research manuscript format described at the journal site http://www.hindawi.com/journals/edr/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/, according to the following timetable:

Manuscript DueNovember 1, 2007
First Round of ReviewsFebruary 1, 2008
Publication DateMay 1, 2008

Guest Editors

  • Thomas Forst, Department of Endocrinonlogy, Johannes Gutenberg University, and Institute for Clinical Research and Development, Parcusstrasse 8, D-55116 Mainz, Germany
  • Andreas Pfützner, University of Applied Sciences, and Institute for Clinical Research and Development, Parcusstrasse 8, D-55116 Mainz, Germany