ERYTHROCYTE NA-DEPENDENT DIABETICS( LI+ COUNTERTRANSPORT AND GLOMERULAR HYPERFILTRATION IN INSULIN)

Erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was investigated in 11 c ontrols and 22 recent onset type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patien ts with normal and high glomerular filtration rates. No differences in V(max) were observed in hyperfiltering compared to normofiltering pat ients or controls. The Na+/Li+ activity was correlated with blood gluc ose levels in insulin-dependent diabetics showing good glycemic contro l. Total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were similar amon g the three groups. In conclusion, enhanced Na+/Li+ countertransport a ctivity is not associated, in our case, with diabetic condition per se and with early glomerular hyperfiltration and cannot be used as a mar ker of renal involvement in recent onset insulin-dependent diabetics.