The Effect of an Adenosine - 3', 5' - Monophosphate Diesterase Inhibitor (Aminophylline) on the Insulin Response to Glucose Infusion in Prediabetic and Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

Aminophylline, known to increase the intracellular level of cyclic AMP by inhibiting the breakdown of the nucleotide, was found to normalize or improve the insulin response to glucose infusion in eight out of nine prediabetic subjects. No such effect was obtained in five patients with overt diabetes, and only in two out of 11 non-prediabetic healthy subjects. It is suggested that the abnormal insulin response of some of the prediabetics is caused by a decreased intracellular level of cyclic AMP or decreased sensitivity of the insulin releasing mechanism to this nucleotide in the pancreatic β-cells. The lack of effect in diabetic patients and in some of the prediabetics might reflect a more pronounced biochemical defect in the β-cells.

Key words

Prediabetes - Insulin Release - Cyclic AMP - Aminophylline