Renal tubular function and urinary acidification capacity in early juvenile diabetes.

Renal elimination of uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium and urinary acidification capacity were determined in ten insulin-dependent diabetics and in ten matched control subjects. The diabetics showed excessive excretion of uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and ammonia. Sodium, chloride and ammonia excretion fractions was also increased with respect to controls. The enhanced excretion of these substances in diabetics failed to relate to glomerular filtration rate, glycosuria or insulin requirements. These findings might be explained on the basis of glomerular filtration rate elevation, tubular response to this increment, and the underlying metabolic disturbances of diabetes.