Serum islet cell antibodies, fasting and postprandial C-peptide were assayed in 52 subjects with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and 25 healthy controls. The mean fasting C-peptide was significantly lower in the diabetic group than the control group. The postprandial C-peptide was lower in diabetic group II (duration more than two years) than diabetic group I (duration les than two years). Islet cell antibodies (ICA) were positive in 65% of patients in group I & 18.7% of patients in group II. There was a negative correlation between the duration and islet cell antibodies among group I, whereas there was no significant correlation among group II. A positive correlation was found between the postprandial C-peptide and islet cell antibodies among group II but not group I. There was no correlation detected between islet cell antibodies and the difference between the fasting and postprandial C-peptide level. This study demonstrates the presence of ICA in patients with shorter duration of DM and higher residual beta cell function which suggests its association with ongoing beta cell destruction. This might be explained by the fact that the pancreatic islet cells in the newly diagnosed diabetic are antigenic resulting in the formation of antibodies. The study suggests that positive ICA in some patients could be indicative of immune interaction.

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