[Functional and biochemical characteristics of 2 types of diabetes mellitus]

Examination of 68 patients with diabetes mellitus of two types (insulin-dependent and insulin-independent) has shown that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is marked by more remarkable alterations in the microcirculation (according to capillaroscopy of the nailbed and ophthalmoscopy) as compared with the insulin-independent pattern, as well as by activation of lipid peroxidation. Free radical oxidation appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of microcirculatory disorders, making it necessary to administer antioxidants to diabetes mellitus patients.