Summary
In an attempt to evaluate muscle protein catabolism in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine was measured in eight diabetic subjects, during poor control and after achievement of satisfactory control. The results were compared with the excretion values of ten healthy subjects fed a similar amount of meat. In the diabetic patients in poor metabolic control, 3-methylhistidine excretion was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects, and returned to normal when a satisfactory glycaemic control was achieved. No significant differences were observed between ketonuric and non-ketonuric uncontrolled patients. Improved glycaemic control reduced 3-methylhistidine excretion in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. These results suggest increased protein catabolism causing muscle protein loss and negative nitrogen balance in diabetic patients with poorly controlled disease.
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Marchesini, G., Forlani, G., Zoli, M. et al. Muscle protein breakdown in uncontrolled diabetes as assessed by urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion. Diabetologia 23, 456–458 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00260962
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00260962