PREFERENTIAL ALTERATION OF D-[2-H-3] GLUCOSE DETRITIATION RELATIVE TOD-[5-H-3] GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION IN ERYTHROCYTES OF DIABETIC-PATIENTS

In erythrocytes from both normal and diabetic subjects, the production of (HOH)-H-3 from D-[2-H-3]glucose is lower than that from D-[5-H-3]g lucose. Moreover, the ratio between (HOH)-H-3 generation from D-[2-H-3 ]glucose/D-[5-H-3] glucose is lower in hyperglycemic diabetic patients than normal subjects and is restored to the control value after impro vement of metabolism control. The altered ratio found in the diabetic subjects prior to treatment probably reflects an intracellular environ mental change rather than intrinsic anomaly of phosphoglucoisomerase. These findings indicate that the generation of (HOH)-H-3 from D-[2-H-3 ]glucose underestimate the rate of D-glucose phosphorylation more seve rely in diabetic than normal subjects.