[Diabetes and vitamin levels].

The plasma vitamin levels are discussed in association with human diabetic condition. 1) Plasma vitamin B1 level of diabetic patients is revealed in the state of marginal deficiency. 2) Vitamin B6, as the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate, plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, therefore B6 has been associated with impairments in gluconeogenesis and abnormal glucose intolerance. 3) Vascular complications of diabetes mellitus, such as atherosclerosis and retinopathy are considered to be related with glycation of low density lipoprotein which induces oxidative injuries to vascular endothelium. Administration of vitamins to diabetic patients reduces insulin requirement and attracts much attention for improvement of vascular complications. Vitamins play as not only nutritional supplements for deficiency, but pharmacological agents for treatment.