OBJECTIVE To clarify the effects of glycemic control on the level of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), a reactive dicarbonyl compound, in plasma from diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fasting plasma samples were collected from 15 healthy volunteers and 27 patients with NIDDM. Samples were collected from six poorly controlled patients before and after improved glycemic control for at least 2 months. Plasma 3-DG was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a 2,3-diaminonaphthalene derivative. We observed the relationship of 3-DG levels with plasma glucose or HbA_1c levels and examined changes in 3-DG levels after glycemic control in the six patients.

RESULTS Plasma 3-DG was significantly more increased in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic control subjects (31.8 ± 11.3 vs. 12.8 ± 5.2 ng/ml, means ± SD, P < 0.001), but there was an ∼ threefold difference in 3-DG levels among diabetic patients. 3-DG levels were well correlated with plasma glucose (r = 0.56, P < 0.005) and HbA_1c levels (r = 0.74, P < 0.001) in diabeticpatients. The improvement of hyperglycemia in six patients resulted in a significant decrease in 3-DG (35.2 ± 13.2 vs. 21.3 ±3.4 ng/ml, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the plasma glucose level is a predominant determinant of the plasma 3-DG level in diabetic patients and good glycemic control would be important to reduce this reactive metabolite.