Issue 99 Item 7 Proinsulin-like Molecules Predict CHD

Concentrations of proinsulin-like molecules are a better predictor of CHD than insulin, report UK researchers. >As part of the Caerphilly study, researchers measured the concentrations of insulin, proinsulin-like molecules and risk factors in 1181 non-diabetic men (aged 50-64 years). Incident CHD was recorded during the 10-14 year follow-up.

In regression models, concentrations of proinsulin-like molecules, but not insulin, predicted incident CHD. The predictive value of these molecules was reduced by around one third after adjustment for standard risk factors, triglycerides and HDL-C, and by about half after further adjustment for plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
Reference: prospective data from the Caerphilly Study. Diabetologia 2002; 45: 327-36.