BASAL LAMINA OF ALVEOLAR EPITHELIUM AND CAPILLARIES - QUANTITATIVE CHANGES WITH AGING AND IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

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Abstract
Epithelial and capillary basal laminae (BL) of alveoli are significantly thicker in diabetics than they are in age-matched control subjects. The degree of thickening does not correlate significantly with patient age or with duration of diabetes. The thickness of both types of BL in the lungs correlates significantly with thickness of BL in renal tubules and muscle capillaries. In muscle capillaries and in renal tubules the BL deposits are 5-10 .times. greater than they are in the lungs. The effects of BL changes on pulmonary function are unknown.