Enhancement of pentose phosphate pathway in vascular intima from diabetic rabbit

Activity of pentose phosphate pathway in the intima grown inside vascular prosthesis was studied in alloxan diabetic rabbits. Ratio of 14CO2 production from 1-14C-glucose and 6-14C-glucose was 7.8 in the nondiabetic group and 78.9 in the diabetic group. Statistically positive correlation was found between the ratio and the levels of blood glucose or plasma triglyceride. These results suggest that pentose phosphate pathway in the vascular intima is active, and enhanced to a great extent in diabetes.