PLASMA ENDOTHELIN LEVELS IN NON-INSULIN-D EPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS DURING SHORT-TERM CHANGES OF BLOOD-GLUCOSE IN A STRUCTURED DIABETES EDUCATION-PROGRAM

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of short-term change s of blood-glucose control on plasma endothelin levels. Plasma endothe lin levels and blood glucose during daytime thrice were measured in 30 NIDDM patients at the beginning and after a 10 day-stay in a diabetes treatment and teaching unit. Plasma endothelin was measured by radioi mmunoassay. Blood glucose levels changed from 195 +/- 58 to 179 +/- 45 mg/dl (p < 0.05), and plasma endothelin levels changed from 6.08 +/- 2.16 to 5.66 +/- 1.91 pg/ml(p= 0.136). The change in endothelin levels was significantly correlated to the change in blood glucose levels (p < 0.05). Further investigation is justified to find out whether the b eneficial effects of tight blood glucose control are partially mediate d by an endothelin-reducing effect.