RESUMEN
Serum acid phosphatase and oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] have been determined in thirty one diabetic patients [thirteen males and eighteen females], and ten normal subjects [five males and five females]. In male patients, the prostatic fraction of the enzyme has also been determined, in addition to the total enzyme activity. In the diabetic patients there is a significant increase in serum acid phosphatase. In male patients the increase was due to rise of the non prostatic fraction of the enzyme. The diabetics were classified into four groups according to the fasting blood glucose level: the first having a fasting level below 100 mg%, the second from 100-200 mg%, the third from 200-300 mg% and the fourth above 300 mg%. no positive correlation were found between the rise in serum acid phosphatase and the extent of impairment in glucose tolerance. Further classification of the diabetic patients was done according to presence or absence of diabetic vasculopathy. Serum acid phosphatase was significantly elevated in patients with vasculopathy, but in the other group without vasculopathy the enzyme level was not different from the normal control. It was concluded that the principle factor underlying rise of the serum acid phosphatase in diabetic patients is the presence of vasculopathy rather than the severity of glucose intolerance