title: Serum fatty acids profile of uncontrolled insulin dependent diabetic patients and the effect of improved metabolic control.
abstract: We investigated fatty acid composition in 20 uncontrolled insulin dependent diabetic patients for a period of 12 weeks. Hyperglycaemic control indices were also carried out during the study. The diabetic patients were aged between 30-45 years with a disease duration averaging 13 +/- 6 years. The diabetic control indices at the beginning of the study were: plasma glucose 19 +/- 2,2 mmol/l, Hb A1C 12 +/- 3 pc, fructosamine 5,5 +/- 1,1 mmol/1, significant correlation of HbA1C with fructosamine were obtained (p < 0,001). Correlation coefficient ranged from 0,47 to 0,86 at the beginning of study and at the end of study. The patients were age and sex matched with controls. The fatty acid composition indicated significantly low plasma levels of 18:3 w 6; (8 linoleic acid); 20: 3 w 6 (dihomo-8-linolenic acid) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids p < 0,001 at the beginning of the study. The levels of these fatty acids gradually increased with improved hyperglycaemic control. High plasma levels of 18:1 w 9 and total saturated fatty acid (p < 0,001) were also apparent at the beginning of the study. At the end of the 12 weeks study, the hyperglycaemic indices were: glucose 9,8 +/- 4,7 mmol/1; Hb A1C 9pc +/- 2 pc; fructosamine 3,1 +/- 0,4. The plasma levels of 18: 3 w 6; 20: 3w 6; 18: 1 w 9 polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids had changed to near normal levels. This study suggests that delta 6 delta 9 desaturates activity is influenced by insulin. The study also highlights a possible explanation for the accumulation of oleic acid in diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gomo
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cmelik
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D019270:Fructosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005227:Fatty Acids; D019270:Fructosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006595:Hexosamines; D007328:Insulin