Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol in normal subjects and in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The serum levels of 1,5-anhydroglucitol were measured by gas chromatography in normal subjects and in patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and compared with those found in some other common diseases. The identity of the compound was checked by thin-layer chromatography and by means of mass fragmentography. The mean level was 81 μmol/I (range 10–146 μmol/1, n = 139) in normal subjects and comparable levels were found in patients with rheumatic disease (n=20) and in several patients with circulatory diseases. The level was less than 10 μmol/1 in 44 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, both in newly diagnosed cases and in patients with a long history of the disease with or without nephropathy. The compound did not appear in serum during near normoglycaemic periods elicited by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy, nor after successful kidney transplantation.

Key-words:

• continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
• gas-liquid chromatography
• mass spectrometry
• polyols
• renal failure
• thin-layer chromatography