Abstract
Transferrin (Tf) is the chief iron-transport protein in mammalian blood.
Seventy-four diabetics 43 males and 31 females ranging in age from 14 to 79 yr were studied. In all cases, urine protein was negative, and Hb and liver function were normal.Serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), albumin, the integral IRI value after50gOGTT and Tf were measured.The Tf was estimated by laser immunoassay. There was no significant difference between the serum Tf levels of diabetic subjects and normal controls (287±43mg/dl vs.305±37mg/dl, mean±SD) However, the serum Tf levels in subjects with IDDM were significantly lower than those in the normal controls and subjects with NIDDM (249±41mg/dl vs.305±37, 299±36mg/dl;p<0.001).
The serum Tf levels in diabetics were significantly correlated with the serum albumin levels (r=0.366, p<0.002, n=74), FBS (r=-0.338, p<0.02, n=55) and integral IRI values (r=0.608, p<0.002, n=25).
