Biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to establish a link between the lipid composition of red blood cell membrane and serum to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetic subjects with and without dyslipidemia were selected along with healthy control subjects. Biochemical changes in serum and erythrocyte membrane were compared in study groups.

RESULTS

The lipid composition of membrane was significantly altered with increased cholesterol:Phospholipid ratio and decreased Na + K + -ATPase of membrane upon comparison with control subjects.

CONCLUSION

Increased hyperglycemia with altered serum lipid composition in diabetes mellitus causes glycation of membrane enzymes this along with oxidative stress leads to decrease in activity of Na + K + -ATPase and other changes in erythrocyte membrane. Significant findings of the study: As the lipid level increases there is increased lipid peroxidation and the membrane composition gets altered.