[Status of the sympatho-adrenal system in patients with diabetes mellitus: dependence on the course of the disease and the presence of late complications].

Blood plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites (DOPAC, HVA, 5HIAA) were measured in 28 patients with insulin-dependent and 32 with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM and NIDDM, respectively). The patients were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 were 15 patients without late diabetic complications, group 2 were 15 subjects with diabetic neuropathy, group 3 were patients with neuropathy and retinopathy (n = 16), and group 4 were 14 patients with neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. The results showed an increase of serotonin levels in IDDM patients vs. those with NIDDM, a positive correlation between serotonin and blood glucose levels in IDDM, increased concentration of dopamine and reduced plasma level of noradrenaline in patients with diabetic neuropathy vs. those without late diabetic complications. Plasma levels of dopamine were decreased in all the patients microvascular involvement. The findings indicate the development of changes in the sympathoadrenal system of patients with late diabetic vascular complications.