INCREASED PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY IN TYPE 1 DIABETES WITH MICROVASCULAR DISEASE

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Abstract
Plasma renin activity was measured in 3 subjects with Type 1 diabetes and proliferative retinopathy, and in 17 matched diabetic subjects without evidence of any complications of their disease. The 2 groups were comparable for age, sex, smoking habits and duration of diabetes. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the patients with retinopathy (P < 0.025 and P = 0.05, respectively) and HbA1 was greater (P < 0.005) than in the patients without complications. Plasma renin activity both lying and standing, was higher in the patients with retinopathy than in the uncomplicated group (P < 0.05 for each). There were no correlations between plasma renin activity and mean blood pressure, HbA1 or fasting blood glucose. The renin-angiotensin system might be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular disease.