Abstract
In patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy the levels of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid of the n-6 series, and those of alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid of the n-3 series, were found to be decreased and the levels of plasma lipid peroxides increased. These results are interesting since DGLA is the precursor of prostaglandin (PG) E1 and PGI2 is derived from arachidonic acid. Both PGE1 and PGI2 are potent platelet anti-aggregators and vasodilators and can prevent atherosclerosis. In view of these results, it can be said that essential fatty acid metabolism and free radicals may play a significant role in complications due to diabetes mellitus.