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Horm Metab Res 1979; 11(9): 493-497
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1092768
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Metabolic Control on Urinary Excretion and Plasma Levels of Catecholamines in Diabetics

G.  Bolli1 , Maria G. Cartechini2 , P.  Compagnucci2 , S.  Malvicini1 , P.  De Feo1 , F.  Santeusanio2 , G.  Angeletti1 , P.  Brunetti1
  • 1Institute of Medical Pathology, University of Perugia, Italy
  • 2Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
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Publication Date:
17 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Urinary excretion and plasma levels of catecholamines were determined in 20 normal and 39 diabetic subjects to evaluate the sympathetic activity. Diabetic patients were divided into 4 groups according to the metabolic control. Sympathetic activity showed no differences between normal and subjects with chemical diabetes (group I, n = 5). In insulin-treated diabetics in good metabolic control (group II, n = 11 ) only urinary excretion of free norepinephrine was significantly higher than normals (p < .05). In insulin-treated diabetics in poor metabolic control (group III, n = 16) urinary excretion and plasma levels of norepinephrine showed a marked increase over groups I and II (p < .001). In insulintreated diabetics with ketosis (group IV, n = 7) urinary excretion and plasma levels of both norepinephrine and epinephrine showed the highest values (p < .001 and < .1). Finally, in groups III and IV, after achieving improved metabolic control, a significant decrease of urinary excretion and plasma levels of catecholamines was observed.

The results confirm that there is an increased rate of catecholamine release in poorly controlled diabetics and suggest a close correlation between sympathetic activity and metabolic derangement in diabetes.

Key words

Diabetes - Catecholamines - Norepinephrine - Epinephrine - Sympathetic System