ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED RELAXING FACTOR (EDRF/NO) AND GLYCATION OF ALBUMIN IN TYPE I-DIABETICS

Abstract

Background: NO produced by the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, goes abluminally to the smooth muscles in the vessels wall to exert its function as a relaxing factor for the vessel musculature. At the same time, it goes to the vessel lumen to prevent platelets adhesion and aggregation. This vital hormone is also carried to albumin and acts as a reservoir for the body. In diabetes mellitus, glycosylation of serum albumin, impairs its carrying capacity.

Aim of the work: The EDRF/NO production and its blood level in diabetes mellitus has been the subject of conflicting argument. It was the aim of the present study to find a genuine explanation, for the impaired endothelial function in type I diabetics.

Subjects and Methodology: 60 type I diabetic patients aged 4-15 years and 20 age matched normal controls have been selected; and their blood glucose level estimated together with assessment of their serum NO, fructosamine, albumin, creatinine, and both SGPT and SGOT enzymes. Correlation studies was done between blood glucose and serum fructosamine; blood glucose and serum NO; between seru1n fructosamine and serum NO.

Results and Conclusion: Estimation of serum albumin, creatinine and the liver enzymes SGPT, SGOT were all in the normal range, which points to