For the purpose of elucidating the conditions of diabetic patients in rural areas, we have been undertaking some statistical studies in regard to various pathological aspects of diabetic patients being treated at our hospital on the outskirts of Nagoya City, as well as those discovered by diabetes mass examinations. This it to report on the total serum protein values and serum protein fractions (by electrophoresis), measured for the study of protein metabolism.
Group I. Diabetic patients treated at our hospital. No remark-able change was observed in their total serum protein value. In their serum protein fractions, a decrease in albumin value and A/G ratio and a slight increase of α 1-, α 2-, β-and β-globulin values. On the other hand diabetic patients with renal complications showed a decrease in total serum protein value, albumin value and A/G ratio, a slight increase in α 1-, α 2-, and γ-globulin values, and a slight decrease in γ-globulin value.
Group II. Insidious asymptomatic cases discovered by mass examinations. No remarkable change was observed in total serum protein value. A for serum protein fractions, they showed a decrease in albumin value and A/G ratio, and an increase in all glabulin fractions. Furthermore. increase of α 1 fraction was more conspicuous in women, that of α 2 in women and in both sexes with renal complications, that of β-and γ-globulin in women, farmers and those with renal complications.
These findings oriented us farther to the analysis of relation-ship between diabetes mellitus and various environmental factors.