EFFECTS OF GLYCEMIC CONTROL ON PLASMA 3-DEOXYGLUCOSONE LEVELS IN NIDDM PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE - To clarify the effects of glycemic control on the level of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), a reactive dicarbonyl compound, in plasma fr om diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Fasting plasma sam ples were collected from 15 healthy volunteers and 27 patients with NI DDM. Samples were collected from six poorly controlled patients before and after improved glycemic control for at least 2 months. Plasma 3-D G was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a 2,3-diaminonaphthalene derivative. We observed the relationship of 3- DG levels with plasma glucose or HbA(1c) levels and examined changes i n 3-DG levels after glycemic control in the six patients. RESULTS - Pl asma 3-DG was significantly more increased in diabetic patients than i n nondiabetic control subjects (31.8 +/- 11.3 vs. 12.8 +/- 5.2 ng/ml, means +/- SD, P < 0.001), but there was an approximately threefold dif ference in 3-DG levels among diabetic patients. 3-DG levels were well correlated with plasma glucose (r = 0.56, P < 0.005) and HbA(1c) level s (r = 0.74, P < 0.001) in diabetic patients. The improvement of hyper glycemia in six patients resulted in a significant decrease in 3-DG (3 5.2 +/- 13.2 vs. 21.3 +/- 3.4 ng/ml, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS - The resu lts indicate that the plasma glucose level is a predominant determinan t of the plasma 3-DG level in diabetic patients and good glycemic cont rol would be important to reduce this reactive metabolite.