Circulating prostanoid levels, both basal and during the chlorpropamide alcohol flush, in non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Circulating basal levels of prostanoids were measured in non-insulin dependent diabetics (NIDDs) who showed chlorpropamide alcohol flushing (CPAF), with and without diabetic complications, and in non-diabetic controls. Prostanoids were also measured during CPAF in those diabetics in whom CPAF is or is not blocked by indomethacin and also in CPAF-negative patients. There was no significant difference in circulating prostanoids between diabetics with and without severe vascular disease. The level of prostaglandin F, however, was significantly higher in the diabetic than in the non-diabetic subjects (mean +/- SEM PGFM 521 +/- 23 v. 414 +/- 18 pmol/l respectively P less than 0.01). In the group in whom CPAF could be blocked by indomethacin there was a significant rise in thromboxane during CPAF when compared with basal values (mean +/- SEM 905 +/- 48 v. 688 +/- 46 pmol/l respectively P less than 0.01) which was abolished by prior administration of indomethacin. There was no significant rise in prostacyclin or PGF. The group in which CPAF could not be blocked by indomethacin and the CPAF negative group showed no rise in any of the prostanoids measured. These findings support the concept of at least two different groups of CPAF positive NIDDs, one in which prostanoids are involved in CPAF and one in which they are not. It is the group in which prostanoids are involved in CPAF who seem to be highly protected against vascular disease.