1, 5-Anhydroglucitol (AG) is decreased in the serum of poorly controlled diabetic patients. Although the metabolism of AG is largely unknown, the low serum AG concentration of the patients has been attributed to the increased urinary excretion of AG in association with glycosuria. In order to clarify the effects of impaired renal function on the metabolism of AG, we measured both serum and urinary AG concentrations in 28 non-diabetic patients with renal disease (RD group) who had no glycosuria in association with various degrees of decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Serum AG concentrations were decreased in the RD group even in the absence of glycosuria. The degree of decrease in serum AG level was correlated with the reduction in GFR. No correlation was observed in diabetic patients with glycosuria. Urinary excretion of AG appeared to be increased in the RD group based on their low serum AG level.
These results suggest that the low serum concentrations of AG in patients with chronic renal failure may be caused, at least partly, by an increase in the urinary excretion of AG.
