Subcutaneous Interstitial Fluid Albumin Concentration in Long-Term Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

By a wick method human interstitial fluid was collected from the subcutaneous tissue of the forearm. 12 normal men had an average interstitial fluid albumin concentration of 2.66 g/100 ml (S.D. 0.30) and a ratio between interstitial albumin concentration and serum albumin concentration of 0.63 (S.D. 0.09). 8 male, juvenile long-term diabetics, matched for age, had the corresponding values of 1.46 g/100 ml (S.D. 0.47) and 0.38 (S.D. 0.12) respectively (p < 0.001). In 3 male juvenile short-term diabetics normal values were found. In view of other reports pointing to increased microvascular albumin permeability in long-term diabetes, the results suggest a much enhanced net water flux (lymph formation) in the tissue studied.