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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1987; 90(4): 83-92
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210676
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ketosis, Serum Carnitine and its Precursor Amino Acids in Normal and Diabetic Ethiopians

W.-H. Peters, H. Seim, H. Löstser, E. Strack1) , H. Lubs †, K.-D. Kohnert
  • Gondar college of Medical Sciences, Gondar/Ethiopia, Institute of Pathological Biochemistry of the KMU Leipzig, Institute of Medical Genetics of the EMAU Greifswald and Central Institute of Diabetes “Gerhardt Katsch” Karlsburg/GDR
1) Saxonian Academy of Sciences at Leipzig.
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Publication History

1986

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

In a hospital-based study in northwestern Ethiopia some clinical and biochemical features of diabetes mellitus have been assessed to contribute to the problem of classification of diabetes in a tropical country. Diabetes requiring primary insulin treatment is presented by unequivocally elevated blood glucose levels and the classic symptoms of the disease. Newly discovered cases and readmitted rural diabetics show significantly lower body mass indices and 31% have been classified as underweight. The overall frequency of ketonuria at (re)admission was 45% together with moderately elevated or high 3-hydroxybutyrate serum concentrations. The hormonal status is characterized by a reduced β-cell function. Serum concentrations of all carnitine fractions are lower in both normal and diabetic Ethiopians when compared with caucasoids. carnitine precursor amino acids are normal and the complete amino acid spectrum reveales no clear-cut pattern related to protein-energy malnutrition.

Key words

Insulin-dependent diabetes - Ketosis - Carnitine status - Serum amino acids - Ethiopia

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