C-peptide corrects hepatocellular dysfunction in a rat model of type 1 diabetes.

C-peptide is gaining much interest recently due to its well-documented beneficial effects on multiple organ dysfunction induced by diabetes. Our study was designed to investigate the effect of C-peptide on hepatocellular dysfunction in diabetic rats. Wistar male rats were separated into four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic + insulin, and diabetic + C-peptide. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, and liver biomarkers were assessed. Liver sections were collected for histopathological examination and immuno-histochemical assessment of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Oxidative stress markers and gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) were also measured in liver tissues. C-peptide administration prevented hepatic dysfunction induced by diabetes to a similar extent as that of insulin which was confirmed microscopically. We concluded that C-peptide could be used as an alternative therapy to insulin to correct hepatocellular dysfunction associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).