Proinflammatory Effects of C-Peptide in Different Tissues
Figure 1
C-peptide deposits in mouse aortic arch. Red areas represent C-peptide deposition indicated by arrow on the high power view. Adjacent sections represent negative control and show no immunoreactive C-peptide areas (Figure 1(a)). Lower panel (Figure 1(b)) illustrates potential hypothesis about C-peptide effects in vessel wall. Patients with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes show increased levels of C-peptide in the blood. Together with endothelial dysfunction and increased endothelial permeability C-peptide deposits in the intima of the vessel wall and from there induces recruitment of inflammatory cells and their migration into the subendothelial layer. C-peptide deposits also in the media and has an effect on the proliferation of smooth muscle cells.
