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Modified hemoglobin in hypoglycemia caused by hyperinsulinism.
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|February 28, 1991
Summary
Prolonged hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism nonpolarly modified hemoglobin (Hb), causing aggregation. This reversible Hb modification in patients and in vitro studies suggests a link between insulin, glucose, and hemoglobin behavior.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
Background:
- Hyperinsulinism can lead to prolonged hypoglycemia.
- Hemoglobin (Hb) is crucial for oxygen transport.
- Understanding Hb modifications is vital for metabolic disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hemoglobin modifications in patients with hyperinsulinism-induced hypoglycemia.
- To characterize the nature of Hb modification.
- To explore the reversibility and in vitro induction of this modification.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hemoglobin from patients with prolonged hypoglycemia.
- In vitro incubation of normal erythrocytes with high insulin concentrations.
- Assessment of Hb modification, charge, and aggregation properties.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin modification was observed in patients with prolonged hypoglycemia.
- The modification was nonpolar, did not alter Hb charge, but induced aggregation.
- Similar modifications were replicated in vitro with high insulin concentrations.
- The observed Hb changes were reversible upon normalization of glucose and insulin levels.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged hypoglycemia associated with hyperinsulinism induces a specific, reversible, nonpolar modification of hemoglobin.
- This modification leads to hemoglobin aggregation in aqueous solutions.
- High insulin concentrations can induce similar hemoglobin changes in vitro, suggesting a direct role of insulin in this process.