Comparison between cytochemical changes, concentration of PAS-positive substances in peripheral blood lymphocytes and changes of blood glucose values during the oral glucose tolerance test.

The purpose of the study was to analyse the correlation between the blood glucose values and the quantity of PAS-positive substances in lymphocytes observed in different groups of subjects during oral glucose loading. In 300 subjects--100 persons with a normal OGTT, 100 pregnant women (with normal, borderline and diabetic OGTT), 50 diabetic patients, 20 borderline cases of diabetes, and 30 persons with a 'lag form' OGIT--the PAS-index was measured at each point of the OGTT. The values of the PAS-index curve followed the values of the blood glucose level, and the results obtained in different groups of persons were compared. It has been shown that an increased value of the PAS-index is an early sign of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism and that differences between borderline and manifest diabetics, as well as between these groups and normal control persons, are significant.