Abstract. The effect of strict glycaemic control on plasma immunoreactive gastric inhibitory polypeptide IR-GIP) concentrations and pancreatic B cell function as estimated by plasma C-peptide was evaluated in 14 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics. The effect was estimated by giving a test meal before (test 1) and after (test 2) 1 week with near normal blood glucose control (mean blood glucose 6.7 ± 0.2 mmol/l) and again 3 weeks later (test 3) in the outpatient clinic. The glycaemic control was significantly improved at test 2 and test 3 compared with that of test 1. The IR-GIP concentrations before and after the meals were similar at all three tests and not different from those found in 21 normal controls. In 8 patients with a significant B cell response at test 1, B cell function was significantly improved both at test 2 and test 3 but no change in fasting or post-prandial IR-GIP concentrations was found and no correlation between B cell function and IR-GIP existed.
We conclude that strict glycaemic control improves B cell function but does not modulate plasma IR-GIP concentrations. Factors other than GIP seem to be of greater importance in determining the magnitude of B cell function in Type 1 diabetes.
Factors influencing the magnitude, duration, and rate of fall of B-cell function in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children followed for two years from their clinical diagnosis