[Recording of surface potential changes in erythrocyte membranes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes...

Changes in surface potential of erythrocyte membranes were studied by a positively charged analog as a spin probe. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients demonstrated a significant increase (by 16 +/- 2.0 mV) in negative surface potential as compared to the control. An important role of this phenomenon in pathogenesis of IDDM is discussed.