Objectives: To investigate if a dipeptide made of glutamine and alanine is able to contribute to the recovery from insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes.
Research design and methods: Fifteen adult type 1 patients were randomly assigned to study group (n=7): intravenous infusion of 20 g Dipeptiven in normal saline (i.e., 8 g alanine and 13 g glutamine), or control group (n=8): same infusion, normal saline only. A 150 min gradual hypoglycaemic hyperinsulinemic clamp was administered after 2 h of infusion. Counterregularory hormones, symptoms, and cognitive function (4 choice reaction test) were regularly measured during the study.
Results: Blood glucose and glucose infusion rates were similar in the 2 groups. Circulating levels of alanine and glutamine peaked at 90 min and remained elevated throughout the test. This was associated with significant differences in: glucagonemia 107 +/- 20 vs 58 +/- 8 pg/ml, and neuroglycopenic symptoms scores: 7 +/- 3 vs 18 +/- 13, at t 150 min, in study and control group, p<0.05. Dysautonomic symptoms, cognitive tests as well as epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and growth hormone were similar between groups.
Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of a dipeptide made of alanine and glutamine is capable to reactivate glucagon secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and to reduce hypoglycaemic symptoms.