Relation of blood glucose levels to the changes in plasma levels of various hydrolytic enzymes in diabetic patients.

Plasma levels of various hydrolytic enzymes in diabetic patients, as diagnosed by their blood glucose levels, were compared with those of control subjects. Most of the levels of the aminopeptidase activities examined were significantly increased, while those of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and esterase decreased, in diabetic patients. The results of multivariate analysis suggest that the increased aminopeptidase activities are related rather to secondary organ lesions than to the primary pancreatic lesion. It seems that the blood glucose level is not necessarily a good indicator of metabolic abnormalities underlying this pathological condition.