[Activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in euglycemic type I diabetic patients on intensive insulin treatment without diabetic neuropathy].

Arterial hypertension increase progression of late diabetic complications. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role in the regulation of arterial pressure. The aim of the study was the assessment of plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (aldo) in type I euglycaemic diabetic patients on intensive insulin treatment without autonomic neuropathy. 30 type I diabetic patients (including 11 with nephropathy defined as urinary albumin excretion > 30 mg/24 h and 19 without albuminuria) were admitted into the trial. Mean age 31.9 + 1.4 years, duration time of disease was 9.1 + 1.5 years, HbA1c level 7.6 + 0.25%; GFR 124.7 + 3.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 (135.8 + 5.1 in subgroup with nephropathy and 118.2 + 5.08 in non-nephropathic group). Blood samples were taken during normal sodium intake (120 mmol/24 h) after 0.5 h supine. PRA was significantly lower in type I diabetics vs control (0.27 + 0.04, 0.61 + 0.09 pmol/l/s respectively-p < 0.005). PRA was significantly lower both in nephropathic and non-nephropathic diabetic group vs control (respectively 0.22 + 0.06 and 0.31 + 0.05-p < 0.05). Aldo in diabetic patients and in subgroups with and without nephropathy was significantly lower vs controls (respectively 173 + 12.9, 165.1 + 14.4, 182.1 + 18.8 and 257.1 + 24.1 pmol/l; p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Significant differences in hormonal changes between diabetic patients with and without nephropathy were not found. Basing upon the results we conclude that in euglycemic intensively insulin treated type I diabetic patients without neuropathy presented decreased level of PRA and aldo. Early stage of diabetic nephropathy does not influence the examined hormones level.