Proinsulin is the prohormone precursor to insulin and is synthesized in the beta cell of pancreas.
High proinsulin concentrations have been associated with benign or malignant beta-cell tumors of the pancreas. Elevated proinsulin levels have been observed in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance even in the absence of abnormal glucose or C-peptide levels. Elevated proinsulin levels have been found to be a risk factor for the development of Non-Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). Most patients with beta-cell tumors have increased insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin concentrations, but occasionally only proinsulin is elevated. Despite its low biological activity, proinsulin may be increased sufficiently to produce hypoglycemia. Increased proinsulin concentrations may also be detected in patients with chronic renal failure, cirrhosis, or hyperthyroidism.
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