Plasma Catecholamines in Juvenile Diabetics

Abstract

Plasma adrenaline was elevated 20-fold in 3 patients in diabetic precoma, whereas plasma noradrenaline showed a 4-fold increase. In long-term diabetics with neuropathy, total plasma catecholamine concentration was reduced at rest and in response to standing compared to results obtained in healthy subjects. Hypophysectomized long-term diabetics with neuropathy showed values which were slightly higher than those found in healthy subjects. An increased sympathetic tone (vasoconstriction) is believed to be the cause of the increased capillary resistance in hypophysectomized patients.

Key Words:

• Autonomic neuropathy
• capillary resistance
• diabetes
• hypophysectomy
• keto-acidosis
• orthostatic hypotension
• plasma adrenaline
• plasma noradrenaline
• tachycardia