[An analysis of islet beta-cell function in hyperuricemia].

Objective: To study the islet beta-cell function in patients with simple hyperuricemia (HUA) and to explore the relationship between the level of serum uric acid and insulin resistance.

Methods: The first and second phases of insulin secretion of beta-cell were observed after L-arginine stimulation test and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 56 hyperuricemic patients and 40 healthy controls.

Results: The peak value of insulin secretion in both groups was at the 2nd min and it began to decrease at the 4th min after L-arginine stimulation. However, the peak value in the HUA group was significantly higher than that in the control group (t = 3.71, P < 0.01). Fasting plasma insulin, 120-min plasma glucose and 120-min insulin during OGTT as well as modified beta-cell function index and Homa-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the HUA group were obviously higher than those in the control group (t = 2.46-5.56, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Multiple step regression analysis showed that serum uric acid was positively correlated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, HOMA-IR, male sex, mean arterial pressure and creatinine (t = 2.15-3.60, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The islet beta-cell function in hyperuricemic patients increases compensatively and the serum uric acid level is positively correlated with insulin resistance.