Evaluation of frequency of micronuclei in lymphocytes of diabetic (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) and non-diabetic individuals.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the frequency of micronucleat ed lymphocytes in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, 13 normal subjects and 24 diabetic individuals with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus t ype (NIDDM) were analysed by using in vivo micronucleus test in non-culture d lymphocytes. The influence of some compounding factors (age, smoking stat us, sex and duration of diabetes) were taken into account. The control popu lation gave lower mean value for micronucleus (MN), compared to that of dia betic population. The control and diabetic subjects were of similar age gro up and involved both smokers and non-smokers. Factors known to increase the frequency of MN like smoking and ageing were analysed within the diabetic population. Sex did not give rise to any increase in the MN value.