When the effectiveness of glucose itself on glucose uptake and production [(Rd(hyperglycemia) - Rd(euglycemia))/deltaPG and (HGP(euglycemia)- HGP(hyperglycemia))/deltaPG] was calculated, the relatives had a 22% increase in peripheral uptake (0.022 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.018 +/- 0.002 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM per mg/dl), due to a significantly increased nonoxidative glucose metabolism and enhanced suppression of HGP (0.0076 +/- 0.0021 vs. 0.0011 +/- 0.0022 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM per mg/dl, P < 0.05).
Since (1) the His<sup>44</sup> residue is not present in CD59 from other animal species and (2) humans are particularly prone to develop complications of diabetes, our results indicate that the Lys<sup>41</sup> /His<sup>44</sup> glycation motif in human CD59 may confer humans a higher risk of developing vascular disease in response to hyperglycemia.
CD59, a MAC assembly inhibitory protein was absent, possibly suppressed by the hyperglycemia in the teenagers but was expressed in the young adults despite comparable average levels of hyperglycemia.