Comparisons of serum miRNA expression profiles in patients with diabetic retinopathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the expression levels of serum miRNAs in diabetic retinopathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Serum miRNA expression profiles from diabetic retinopathy cases (type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy) and type 2 diabetes mellitus controls (type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without diabetic retinopathy) were examined by miRNA-specific microarray analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the significantly differentially expressed serum miRNAs from the microarray analysis of 45 diabetic retinopathy cases and 45 age-, sex-, body mass index- and duration-of-diabetes-matched type 2 diabetes mellitus controls. The relative changes in serum miRNA expression levels were analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCt method. RESULTS: A total of 5 diabetic retinopathy cases and 5 type 2 diabetes mellitus controls were included in the miRNA-specific microarray analysis. The serum levels of miR-3939 and miR-1910-3p differed significantly between the two groups in the screening stage; however, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction did not reveal significant differences in miRNA expression for 45 diabetic retinopathy cases and their matched type 2 diabetes mellitus controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that miR-3939 and miR-1910-3p may not play important roles in the development of diabetic retinopathy; however, studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.

Diabetic Retinopathy Risk Factors: Plasma Erythropoietin as a Risk Factor for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether any stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is associated with levels of plasma erythropoietin and other plasma parameters. METHODS: It was examined a representative sample of 180 type 2 diabetes patients aged 40 to 79 years. Ophthalmic examination including a funduscopic examination, performed by an experienced ophthalmologist and the retinal finding were classified according to the grading system for diabetic retinopathy of ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study). It was measured the levels of plasma erythropoietin, cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoproteins A and B, C-reactive protein, fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in 88 DR patients and 92 controls without DR. Risk factors correlated with DR were compared between groups. RESULTS: The study group of 180 patients included 72 males and 108 females. The mean age of the patients with and without DR was 57.36 ± 8.87 years and 55.33 ± 8.28 years, respectively. Of the 88 patients with DR, only 9 (10%) had proliferative DR and the rest suffered from non-proliferative DR. The mean plasma levels of erythropoietin in proliferative DR group showed a significant difference in comparison to other groups. The mean plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoproteins A and B, C-reactive protein, and fasting blood glucose were not significantly different in the three groups except for HbA1C. The absolute relative risk (ARR) also showed that erythropoietin was an increasing risk for proliferative DR (ARR, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.060 to 1.420; odds ratio,1.060). CONCLUSIONS: Of the factors studied, erythropoietin level showed significant increase in proliferative DR group. The stepwise raised in mean plasma erythropoietin level which demonstrates significant correlation with proliferative DR versus remaining two groups, will be an indication of its role in proliferative DR.

Attenuated levels of pro-inflammatory markers in diabetic retinopathy patients undergoing treatment with antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive drugs

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the circulating levels of activated nuclear factor kappa B p65 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in diabetic retinopathy patients who were taking antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive drugs. METHODS: In total, 235 healthy controls and 371 Type 2 diabetic patients [171 without retinopathy (DNR) and 200 patients with retinopathy (diabetic retinopathy)] were recruited for this study. Plasma and the nuclear fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated for the quantification of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and nuclear factor kappa B p65 levels, respectively. RESULTS: Non-medicated diabetic retinopathy patients had significantly higher levels of activated nuclear factor kappa B p65 and plasma monocyte chemotactic protein-1 than DNR patients. Diabetic retinopathy patients who were taking antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive drugs showed significant reductions in both the nuclear factor kappa B p65 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels compared with the non-medicated patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the significant attenuation of both the nuclear factor kappa B p65 and circulating monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in diabetic retinopathy patients taking antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive drugs.

Low Hemoglobin Concentration Is Associated with Several Diabetic Profiles

No abstract available.

Associations between Hemoglobin Concentrations and the Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many studies have demonstrated an association between hemoglobin levels and cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between hemoglobin concentrations and various clinical parameters, including metabolic factors, plasma C-peptide response after a meal tolerance test, and microvascular complications, in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In total, 337 male patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. All subjects were subjected to a meal tolerance test and underwent assessment of hemoglobin levels, fasting and postprandial beta-cell responsiveness, and microvascular complications. RESULTS: Patients with lower hemoglobin concentrations had a longer duration of diabetes, a lower body mass index, and lower concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. They also had lower levels of postprandial C-peptide, Delta C-peptide, and postprandial beta-cell responsiveness. They had a higher prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy. In multivariate analyses, there was a significant association between nephropathy and hemoglobin concentration. Also, hemoglobin concentrations were independently associated with Delta C-peptide levels and postprandial beta-cell responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin concentrations are associated with postprandial C-peptide responses and diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Cribado de retinopatía diabética mediante retinografía midriática en atención primaria / Coverage and results of a screening program for diabetic retinopathy using mydriatic retinography in primary health care

OBJETIVOS: Conocer la cobertura de un programa de cribado de retinopatía diabética en atención primaria y la concordancia entre médicos de familia (MF) y oftalmólogos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional transversal. Revisión de retinografías midriáticas de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (2007-2008) solicitadas por MF de tres centros de salud urbanos en Jaén,España. RESULTADOS: En total 296 retinografías (2007) y 380 (2008) (cobertura=26 por ciento±2.4).Retinografías patológicas: 181 MF (27 por ciento±1.3) y 59 (9 por ciento±0.3) oftalmólogos. Concordancia global moderada (kappa=0.408±0.039), que mejora del primer al segundo año (0.34 y 0.45; p<0.001, prueba χ2). La interpretación de los MF tiene sensibilidad, 97 por ciento, especificidad, 80 por ciento, VPP, 33 por ciento, VPN, 100 por ciento, cociente de probabilidad positivo, 4.88 y negativo, 0.04. Hay variabilidad en cobertura y concordancia entre centros de salud. CONCLUSIONES: La retinografía midriática realizada e interpretada por MF es útil como cribado de retinopatía en diabéticos. En el segundo año se mejora cobertura, valores predictivos y cocientes de probabilidad, aunque se debe homogeneizar la interpretación.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the coverage of a diabetic retinopathy screening program in primary health care and to assess agreement between ophthalmologists and family physicians (FP) regarding retinography evaluations of diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study,with a review of diabetic patients' mydriatic retinographies (2007-2008) from three urban primary health centers (PHC)(Jaén-Spain). RESULTS: A total of 296 retinographies in 2007 and 380 in 2008 (coverage=26 percent±2,4) were reviewed. Pathological retinographies were identified by 181 FPs (27 percent±1,3) and 59 (9 percent±0,3) ophthalmologists.Total agreement was moderate (kappa=0,408±0,039).Agreement was better in the latter year (0,45 vs 0,34; p<0,001 test χ2). FP evaluations showed 97 percent sensitivity,80 percent specificity,33 percent positive predictive value, 100 percent negative predictive value, 4, 88 positive likelihood ratio and 0,04 negative likelihood ratio. We find variability in coverage and agreement between PHC. CONCLUSIONS: Mydriatic retinographies performed and evaluated by FPs are useful to retinopathy screening of diabetic patients. Coverage, predictive values and likelihood ratio were better in the latter year, although the interpretation should be homogenized.

Comparison of serum glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with diabetic cystoid macular edema with and without serous macular detachment.

Aim: A clinical comparative trial was conducted to compare the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with diabetic cystoid macular edema (CME) with and without serous macula detachment (SMD). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (group 1) with diabetic CME in both eyes, but without SMD, and 30 patients (group 2) with diabetic CME and SMD in both eyes documented by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), were included in the study. In addition to the measurement of central macular thickness by OCT and visual acuity (VA) (as logMAR) using the the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) chart, the concentrations of HbA1c were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analysis was done by independent samples t test. Results: The mean logMAR VA was 0.8 ± 0.22 (1.0–0.5) in group 1and 0.7 ± 0.16 (1.0–0.6) in group 2. The mean central macular thickness, as determined by OCT, was 468.70 ± 70.44 μm (344–602 μm) in group 1 and 477.80 ± 73.34 μm (354–612 μm) in group 2. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.626). The mean HbA1c levels were 8.16 ± 0.99% in group 1 and 10.05 ± 1.66% in group 2. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The presence of SMD and high HbA1c levels in the patients with diabetic CME may be indirectly suggestive of retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction.

Implicações clínicas da persistência de anti-GAD positivo e peptídeo C detectável em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 1 de longa duração / GADA persistence and detectable C peptide in patients with long standing diabetes mellitus type 1

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se anti-GAD positivo e PC detectável se correlacionam com a presença de outras doenças autoimunes, com controle glicêmico e com risco de retinopatia no diabetes melito tipo 1 (DMT1) > 3 anos de duração. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Cinquenta sujeitos com DMT1 foram entrevistados, realizaram fundoscopia e dosaram PC pré e pós-glucagon, HbA1C e anti-GAD. RESULTADOS: Pacientes anti-GAD+ (n = 17) apresentaram maior frequência de doenças autoimunes em relação aos demais (p = 0,02). PC detectável (n = 11) também foi associado ao aumento dessa prevalência (p = 0,03), porém nenhum dos dois parâmetros influenciou na presença de retinopatia diabética. PC detectável não influenciou no controle glicêmico (HbA1C média) (p = 0,28), porém as doses diárias de insulina foram mais baixas (0,62 vs. 0,91 U/kg/dia; p = 0,004) neste grupo. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de não ser um marcador para outras doenças autoimunes, o anti-GAD+ parece ser não só um sinalizador de autoimunidade pancreática. PC detectável também parece ter papel promissor na detecção dessas comorbidades. Ambos não interferiram na presença de retinopatia, entretanto, o PC detectável se relacionou a menores necessidades de insulina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if GADA+ and detectable CP had any influence in other autoimmune diseases, glycemic control, and risks of retinopathy in diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) lasting longer than 3 years of duration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty T1DM subjects were interviewed, performed fundoscopic examination, and measured CP before and after glucagon, HbA1C, and GADA. RESULTS: GADA+ (n = 17) had a higher frequency of other autoimmune diseases when compared to GADA (p = 0.02). Detectable CP was also associated with a higher prevalence of these diseases (p = 0.03), although, retinopathy was not influenced by either one. Detectable CP had no influence in the glycemic control (mean HbA1C) (p = 0.28). However, insulin daily doses were lower in this group (0.62 vs. 0.91 U/kg/day; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Although not recommend as a marker of other autoimmune diseases, GADA+ seems to be not only a pancreatic autoimmunity signal. Detectable CP may also have some promising influence in detecting these diseases. Neither influenced the presence of retinopathy, but insulin daily requirements were smaller when CP was present.

Lipoprotein(a) as a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To estimate serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic retinopathy and to determine the correlation, if any, between serum Lp(a) levels and severity of diabetic retinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 200 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus out of which 100 patients who had no retinopathy served as the control group and 100 patients with diabetic retinopathy formed the study group. A detailed fundus examination was done with dilated pupil. The Lp(a) levels were measured quantitatively in fasting venous samples by an immunoturbidimetric method using commercially available kits (Clonital). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Group comparisons involving qualitative measures were carried out using Chi square test. ANOVA procedure was applied for comparing group means. Logistic regression analysis was performed for independent factors associated with diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The average Lp(a) levels in the study group (68.5 mg/dl) were significantly higher than in the control group (25.1 mg/dl) (P 0.001). The Lp(a) levels were found to increase with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Serum Lp(a) levels are significantly raised in patients with diabetic retinopathy as compared to those with no retinopathy.

Serum magnesium: an early predictor of course and complications of diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between serum magnesium and course of diabetes mellitus and also to find out, if there is any relation between serum magnesium and various complications of diabetes mellitus. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between serum magnesium in 50 type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients with or without complications and 40 normal healthy persons. Serum magneisum estimation was done using calmagite dye method using autoanalyser (Beckman DU clin systems). Serum magnesium levels in diabetic population was significantly low (1.93 +/- 0.282 meq/l) in comparison to control (2.25 +/- 0.429 meq/l). It was statistically significant (+3.84; p < 0.005). Serum magnesium was significantly low in diabetes with complication than without complications (p < 0.001). Duration of diabetes and serum magnesium were inversely related. Poor glycaemic control was associated with hypomagnesaemia (-2.623; p < 0.05). There was strong association between hypomagnesaemia and retinopathy (1.76 +/- 0.26), obesity (1.878 +/- 0.326) and hypertension (1.75 +/- 0.071) and it was statistically significantly (p < 0.005, 0.042, 0.000 respectively). Hence it is concluded that the change in serum magnesium level may have a bearing on the complication and morbidity in patients of diabetes mellitus.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is responsible for 60% cases of retinopathy in the population and is one of the common cause of blindness. Oxidative stress as measured by the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and vitamin C was measured in 50 normal controls, 40 diabetics without complications, 22 diabetics with proliferative and 20 with nonproliferative retinopathy respectively. Our finding suggests that lipid peroxidation increases (P < 0.001) with the increase in severity and duration of diabetes. Antioxidants SOD and vitamin C decrease with the progression of the disease, however GPx tends to increase in the later part of the disease.

Prevalence of retinopathy in Caucasian type 2 diabetic patients from the South of Brazil and relationship with clinical and metabolic factors

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening chronic complication of diabetes mellitus and is the leading cause of acquired blindness in adults. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence of and the factors associated with DR in an analysis of 210 consecutive and unrelated Brazilian Caucasians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Retinopathy was evaluated by ophthalmoscopy and/or biomicroscopy through dilated pupils. The relationship between clinical and metabolic variables and the presence of DR was assessed by logistic regression analysis. DR was detected in 99 of the 210 patients (47 percent). In the univariate logistic regression analyses, male sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, C-peptide, LDL cholesterol, smoking, and albumin excretion rate were found to be associated with the presence of DR. However, the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only duration of diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95 percent CI = 1.09-1.22; P < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (OR = 1.21, 95 percent CI = 1.01-1.46; P = 0.047) and albumin excretion rate >100 µg/min (OR = 12.72, 95 percent CI = 3.89-41.56; P < 0.001) were independently associated with DR. Although DR was found to be frequent among Brazilian type 2 diabetic patients, its prevalence was within the range observed in other Caucasian populations. Our findings emphasize the need for good glycemic control in order to prevent or delay the onset of DR, since the most well-known risk factors for the development of this complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin and albumin excretion rate were independently related to DR.

Plasma Levels of Tissue Factor Antigen in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, and are susceptible to a series of complications including nephropathy. It has also been known that plasma tissue factor (TF) antigen levels increase significantly in certain disease states. To investigate the clinical significance of an association with the various complications in patients with type 2 non-insulin-dependent DM (NIDDM), we measured the plasma levels of TF antigen in 63 patients (35 males and 28 females, mean age 60.8 yrs) with NIDDM and in 22 normal subjects (14 males and 8 females, mean age 56.0 yrs). The mean concentrations of TF were higher for patients with NIDDM (253.7 +/- 144.9 pg/ml) than in normal subjects (187.3 +/- 108.7 pg/ml with marginal statistical significance (p= 0.0530). The TF levels were higher for patients with a nephropathy than for patients without a nephropathy (p=0.0402). There was a significant positive correlation between levels of TF and BUN (r=0.84, p < 0.0001) or creatinine (r=0.93, p < 0.0001). However, TF levels were found to be similar for both groups with and without thrombosis, neuropathy, retinopathy, or infection. These results suggest that plasma TF antigen levels may be associated with nephropathy and they may reflect a renal dysfunction in NIDDM.

Serum levels of sialic acid and neuraminidase activity in cardiovascular, diabetic and diabetic retinopathy patients

Sialic acid is a component of serum that is elevated in diseases such as diabetes and certain malignancies. The normal range of SSA concentration and serum neuraminidase activity in different populations are varied, probably due to racial differences. The purpose of the present study was to obtain the average SSA concentration and serum neuraminidase activity, in an Iranian population, and to show whether these indices could indicate the severity, and serve as risk factors, for diabetes and CVD. Serum sialic acid [SSA] concentration and neuraminidase activity were measured in 214 male and female patients and 150 normal individuals. The patient groups were composed of diabetics, diabetics with vascular disease and CVD patients. A mean +/- SEM value of 60.06 +/- 3.36 mg/100 ml for SSA and 50.82 +/- 2.93 mU/ml for serum neuraminidase activity were obtained in the randomly selected normal controls. SSA was significantly higher in the patient groups as compared to the values in the age and sex-matched controls. Increased SSA in the diabetics with vascular complications was significantly higher than that for diabetics without retinopathy. The serum neuraminidase activity was also increased in the patient groups. In contrast to the pattern for SSA levels, serum neuraminidase activity in the diabetic patients was not significantly lower than that for diabetics with retinopathy. While serum neuraminidase activity may serve as a factor which tends to increase in CVD, diabetic and retinopathic patients, it may not be as reliable as the SSA level which correlates the severity or monitoring of these diseases. However, it can be a useful index to be used along with SSA measurements

Acute phase serum proteins in diabetic retinopathy.

The serum concentration of various acute phase reactants were studied in patients with non-insulin dependent mellitus with and without retinopathy and in control subjects. The serum levels of haptoglobin was elevated in diabetics with retinopathy and the levels were highest in those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The levels of serum albumin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-1 antitrypsin and caeruloplasmin were not significantly different between the patients with retinopathy and controls. Haptoglobin increases serum viscosity and this could be the mechanism by which it plays a role in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. These preliminary observations need to be confirmed by studies based on larger number of patients. Longitudinal studies on acute phase reactants in various stages of development of diabetic retinopathy would also provide valuable information.

Does oxidant stress play a role in diabetic retinopathy?

The role of oxidant stress in the causation of chronic tissue damage is being increasingly recognized. Oxidant stress is usually countered by abundant supply of antioxidants. If concomitant antioxidant deficiency occurs, oxidant stress may produce tissue damage. We took up a study on antioxidant status in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with and without retinopathy and compared them with a control non-diabetic group. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly reduced in all diabetic patients, i.e., those with and without retinopathy. However, the lowest levels were found in the diabetic patients with retinopathy. Vitamin E and vitamin C levels were also markedly lower in the diabetic patients. There was a paradoxical rise in the catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the diabetic patients with retinopathy. This may be a compensatory mechanism by the body to prevent tissue damage by increasing the levels of the two alternative antioxidant enzymes.

Plasma type IV collagen and fibronectin concentrations in diabetic patients with microangiopathy

In diabetes mellitus, thickening of basement membrane in capillaries and small vessels is a well-known finding and important in the progression of diabetic microangiopathy. We evaluated whether the plasma levels of type IV collagen and fibronectin, which are important factors of basement membrane, are related with the presence of diabetic microangiopathy. Plasma type IV collagen and fibronectin levels were measured in 40 healthy controls (Mean +/- SD, age; 50.3 +/- 5.5 yr) and 94 diabetic patients (age; 52.4 +/- 13.5 yr) with and without microvascular complications. The mean plasma levels of type IV collagen (5.3 +/- 2.9 ng/ml) and fibronectin (474.4 +/- 119.4 ug/ml) in diabetic patients were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in healthy controls (3.7 +/- 1.3 ng/ml and 319 +/- 50.9 ug/ml). The mean plasma level of type IV collagen in diabetic patients with complications (6.6 +/- 3.7 ng/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in those without complications (4.3 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) and became higher in more complicated patients. Furthermore, the severity of retinopathy and several indicators of nephropathy such as serum BUN, creatinine and proteinuria were closely associated with plasma type IV collagen level and a significant correlation was found between plasma type IV collagen and creatinine clearance (r = -0.31, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in plasma fibronectin concentrations, however, between the diabetic patients with complications and those without complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of plasma ascorbate status between diabetic retinopathy subjects with and without photo-coagulation therapy.

Metabolism of ascorbic acid is deranged in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). One important reason of this derangement is its increased turnover in the process of handling an increased load of free radicals. Anoxia, the triggering factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy generates free radicals in anoxia-reperfusion sequence. Any process like argon laser photocoagulation that destroys the anoxic sites and improves oxygenation in retina might hinder the process of generation of free radicals and thus expected to preserve ascorbic acid. In this study plasma total ascorbic acid concentration in matched groups of (I) diabetics with retinopathy with no history of photocoagulation (II) diabetics with retinopathy treated by laser and (III) diabetics without microvascular pathology were measured by 2-4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine method. Plasma total ascorbate concentration was significantly higher in group-II (0.47 +/- 0.09 mg/dl; X +/- SD) in comparison to group-I (0.19 +/- 0.07 mg/dl P < 0.001). The concentration was not significant between group-II and group-III (0.49 +/- 0.06 mg/dl; P = 0.40). Other clinical and metabolic parameters were not significantly different in between the groups. This observation leads to speculation that photocoagulation saves ascorbic acid from excessive turnover in anoxic retina in the process of handling free radicals.

Plasma ascorbate status in newly diagnosed diabetics exhibiting retinopathy--a finding that alarms.

Diabetics, who developed retinopathy within one year of detection of disease were found to have a significantly low plasma total ascorbate concentration compared to those who developed retinopathy 7-17 years after detection of DM. Traditional metabolic parameters did not show significant difference between the two groups. Thus a severe ascorbate deficiency may be an important determinant in the pathogenesis of retinopathy independent of metabolic status and duration of DM. It merits early supplementation of ascorbic acid to retard the progression of microvascular complication.