URINARY HEPARAN-SULFATE PROTEOGLYCAN EXCRETION IS ABNORMAL IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

Urinary excretion of heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG), the main an ionic component of the glomerular basement membrane (GEM), was estimat ed in 30 adolescents and young adults with insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM), 10 with microalbuminuria and 20 sex matched, diabetic controls of similar age without evidence of microalbuminuria. A further 10 non -diabetic control subjects were also examined. Both groups of patients with diabetes had significantly elevated excretion of HSPG when compa red to normal individuals. There was no difference in HSPG excretion b etween diabetic subjects with and without microalbuminuria.