Blood Sugar and Sulfhydryl Levels in Diabetic Patients Before and During Vitamin B12 Therapy.

Summary Plasma and non-protein sulfhydryl levels, blood sugars and serum proteins were determined in normal subjects, in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and in patients with diabetes mellitus. In the latter, determinations were done before and during vit. B12 therapy. In none of the groups was any significant relationship observed in the blood sugar and sulfhydryl levels. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver, the plasma sulfhydryl levels were significantly reduced below the normal level. The plasma sulfhydryl levels were slightly lower in the patients with diabetes mellitus than in the normal subjects. Administration of vit. B12 for long periods of time in patients with diabetes mellitus had no effect on the sulfhydryl levels.