[Fatty acids in diabetes mellitus]

In 38 patients with diabetes mellitus type II and in 20 healthy controls the total amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was examined in the serum and in the high density lipoproteins (HDL) as well as the following fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic and arachidonic. In decompensated diabetes an increase of the saturated fatty acids with a parallel decrease of the unsaturated fatty acids were found in the serum and in the HDL. The compensation of the diabetes led to normalization of the ratio between the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. In decompensated diabetes an increase of the palmitic and stearic acids with a parallel decrease of the oleic and arachidonic acids were found. After compensation of the diabetes was achieved the fatty acids levels became normal again. Knowing the role of the fatty acids in the atherogenesis it may be assumed that the changes of the fatty acids levels in diabetes mellitus contribute to the vascular lesions.