Cellular sodium influx is low in type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes

Leucocyte sodium influx was studied in 29 type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic subjects and compared to 24 non diabetic controls matched for age, body mass index and blood pressure. Total sodium influx from a low external concentration ((Na+) = 10 mmol/l) was reduced in type 1 diabetes (0.23 vs 0.31 mmol/l/min, p less than 0.05) as was amiloride insensitive sodium influx (0.09 vs 0.13 mmol/l/min, p less than 0.01). No difference was found in amiloride sensitive flux. No ionic flux was correlated with plasma glucose or insulin concentrations or with HbA1 levels. Intracellular sodium accumulation in type 1 diabetes is not due to an increase in total sodium influx, as judged from an external concentration of 10 mmol/l.