Red cell membrane protein lateral mobility in diabetes mellitus

In a group of 24 diabetics subdivided for type, we evaluated the red cell membrane protein lateral mobility marking intact red cells with pyrene-3-maleimide (3-PM) and calculating the dimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (Iex/Im). The same fluorescent parameter was determined in a group of 13 normal controls. From the obtained data, it is evident that the red cell membrane protein lateral mobility clearly discriminates normals from diabetics of type 1 and 2. In normals and in diabetics of type 1 and 2 no relationship is present between this fluorescent determinant and the glycometabolic parameters (FBGL and HbA1c); considering all the diabetics, a negative relationship is evident between Iex/Im ratio and HbA1c only.