Plasma concentrations of leptin and selected minerals do not differ in Type 2 diabetic patients with or without sulfonylurea inefficacy

The oral hypoglycemic agent sulfonylurea (SU) can increase plasma leptin co ncentrations, Additionally, diabetic subjects frequently have an altered pl asma status of selected minerals. However, whether these described plasma p arameters are changed in Type 2 diabetic patients who exhibit SU inefficacy has not yet been evaluated. In this preliminary study, Pasting blood sampl es were collected from 16 Type 2 diabetic patients with secondary SU failur e. As controls, 16 sex-, age- and adiposity-matched diabetic patients, who had similar diabetic duration and optimal glycemic control by SU, were also recruited. The results show that plasma values of leptin, C-peptide, calci um, magnesium, copper, and zinc did not significantly differ in these diabe tic patients with or without secondary SU failure. However, the gender effe ct on plasma leptin level and the correlations between leptin and adiposity and C-peptide were retained. This study indicates that there is no relatio n between SU inefficacy and the plasma status of leptin and selected minera ls. Diab. Nutr. Metab. 13. 284-286 2000. (C) 2000, Editrice Kurtis.