Bioelectrical characteristics of type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects with reference to body water compartments

Since bioelectrical characteristics correspond well to body water compartme nts, this study investigated bioelectrical differences between type 1 and t ype 2 diabetic subjects that could reflect differences in body water compar tments. We investigated cross-sectionally 612 adult subjects, classified in to 10 groups according to sex and disease (control, obese normal glucose to lerant, non-obese type 2 diabetes, obese type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes). Resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PA) were measured (800 mu A - 50 kHz alternating current). The bioelectrical vector was obtained by p lotting R and Xc normalized for height (ht), it is easily identified on the basis of the length (inversely related to the total body water, likewise R ) and direction, given by the PA (inversely related to the extra-/intra-cel lular water - ECW/ICW -). Results show that disease and sex had a significa nt (ANOVA: P<0.0001 for both F disease and F sex) and independent effect on both R/ht and Xc/ht; no difference was found between type 2 and type 1 dia betic,groups. A bioelectrical vector with a lower PA characterized both typ e 2 and type 1 diabetic groups. An independent positive correlation between fasting plasma,glucose and R/ht and a negative correlation between fasting plasma glucose and PA were observed. These findings suggest a non-differen t body water content and distribution between type 2 and type 1 diabetic su bjects; the bioelectrical vector indicates a higher ECW/ICW in type 2 and t ype 1 diabetic compared to non-diabetic subjects.