FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF PANCREATIC-ISLET IN ACUTE-LEUKEMIA

Using enzymatic assay and radioimmunoassay, we studied the functional status of pancreatic islet in 50 patients with acute leukemia. Oral gl ucose tolerance test and insulin and C peptide release were made in 40 patients before and after treatment. 14 patients who revealed diabeti c curve and delayed insulin and C peptide release before treatment sho wed normal values in 6 after therapy. Five patients with impaired gluc ose tolerance and decreased insulin and C peptide release before treat ment showed normalization of these parameters following therapy. Five patients with normal pretreatment values disclosed abnormal post-treat ment results. The remaining 16 patients displayed normal results both before sind after therapy. Anti-insulin antibodies were negative, and glucagon level was normal in ah the 50 patients. The red fell insulin receptor binding rate analysed in 47 patients was significantly higher than in controls (P<0.001). We considered that the disturbed glucose metabolism in acute leukemia was not uncommon mainly due to the dysfun ction of pancreatic islet beta cells as a result of islet damage by le ukemic cells, the effect of corticosteroid and chemotherapy and the pr eexisting diabetes. Impaired glucose metabolism had no influence on th erapeutic effect.