ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF NICOTINAMIDE DOES NOT MODIFY C-PEPTIDE AND INSULIN-SECRETION IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

It has been suggested that the administration of nicotinamide may incr ease C-peptide secretion in patients with recent onset insulin-depende nt diabetes mellitus (IDDM). On this basis, the use of nicotinamide ha s been proposed for preventing IDDM in immunologically susceptible ind ividuals. We have investigated whether the administration of nicotinam ide to normal subjects stimulates C-peptide and insulin secretion. In a double-blind study 10 subjects received an oral dose of nicotinamide (25 mg/kg body weight) or placebo and the C-peptide and insulin level s were evaluated within 60 min. No significant changes were observed i n either C-peptide or insulin secretion. These data indicate that nico tinamide does not modify acutely C-peptide or insulin secretion in nor mal subjects.