[Secretion of calcium-regulating hormones in diabetes mellitus]

At present great attention is paid to Ca2+ metabolic derangement in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular alterations. Some researchers interpret this derangement as change in the ratio of parathyroid secretory activity and thyroid C-cell activity. For this purpose the blood levels of parathormone and calcitonin were investigated by radioimmunoassay with simultaneous recording of lower limb hemodynamic indices in 136 patients with diabetes mellitus. Change of elasticity of major vessels, a decrease in the reserve blood flow, marked to a greater extent in patients over 40 and combined with essential hypertension, were observed. An increase in the blood levels of parathormone and calcitonin was also observed. Direct correlation was established in both age groups between the levels of parathormone and calcitonin and hemodynamic indices.