Differences Between Plasma Viscosity and Proteins of Types 1 and 2 Diabetic Africans in Early Phase of Diabetes

Summary

Plasma and serum viscosity and associated protein titres were determined in short- and long term types 1 and 2 diabetic Africans. The viscosity of plasma and serum, fibrinogen, total serum protein and albumin concentrations of both short- and longterm type 1 diabetics were significantly greater than those of the nondiabetic controls, although no significant differences in these parameters were recorded between the two groups of type 1 diabetics. There were no significant differences between short term type 2 diabetics and the controls in the parameters examined except albumin which is significantly higher in the former. However, plasma and serum viscosity, fibrinogen, total serum protein protein and albumin of longterm type 2 diabetics were significantly elevated above those of the control group. These results show that there is an earlier presentation of cardiovascular risk factors in type 1 than in type 2 diabetic Africans.

Key words

Types 1 and 2 Diabetics - Plasma (Relative) Viscosity - Fibrinogen - Proteins - Africans