Biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus

The levels of lipid peroxidation and alterations in lipid composition and ATPase activities were determined in erythrocyte plasma membrane of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The study groups consisted of 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) attending the Out Patients' Department of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, and 23 age- and sex-matched control subjects (15 males, 8 females). Glycated haemoglobin (an index of long-term glycaemic control), erythrocyte membrane cholesterol, phospholipid and cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio, lipid peroxidation products in the form of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity were found to be significantly increased, and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity significantly decreased, in the diabetic subjects, as compared to controls. The study suggests that biochemical changes in the erythrocyte membrane may be involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 DM.