Coordination for Innovation and Application of Science and Technology (Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y Tecnología, CIACyT), Avenida Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª sección, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico.
Faculty of Dentistry, Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla, 21 sur 1103, Barrio de Santiago, 72410, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.
Micron. 2021 Feb;141:102982. doi: 10.1016/j.micron.2020.102982. Epub 2020 Nov 7.
The study aim was to assess the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to evaluate erythrocyte morphology in early stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the association with biochemical, anthropometric, diet, and physical activity indicators. This was a pilot cross-sectional study with four groups: healthy individuals, people with prediabetes (PDG), metabolic syndrome (MSG), and diabetes mellitus group (DMG). Blood samples were obtained to assess the erythrocyte morphology and biochemical parameters. Anthropometrical measurements were taken. Besides, a diet and a physical activity questionnaire were applied. The evaluation of the erythrocyte morphology through the AFM showed quantitative and qualitative alterations in the cell's form and size. Compared to the healthy group, the PDG had a reduction in height (-0.80 μm, p < 0.05), and an increase in axial ratio (-0.09 μm, p < 0.05); the MSG had lower concave depth (-0.19 μm, p < 0.05); and the DMG had a decreased height (-0.46 μm, p < 0.05) and concave depth (-0.29 μm, p < 0.05), and higher axial ratio (+0.08 μm) and thickness (+0.32 μm, p < 0.05). The PDG vs. DMG had a statistically significant difference in concave depth (+0.23 μm, p < 0.05) and thickness (-0.26 μm, p < 0.05). The MSG was different than the DMG in variables like axial ratio (-0.05 μm) and thickness (-0.25 μm). Besides, higher values of age, HbA1c, triglycerides, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and physical inactivity were associated with altered erythrocyte morphology. AFM is a promising instrument to assess early but subtle changes in erythrocyte morphology (height, axial ratio, concave depth, thickness) before significant pathological conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. HbA1c might have a major effect in altered morphology, vs. metabolic parameters like high triglycerides, body mass index, waist, and physical inactivity.
本研究旨在评估原子力显微镜（AFM）在评估 2 型糖尿病早期红细胞形态中的应用，并探讨其与生化、人体测量学、饮食和身体活动指标的关系。这是一项前瞻性的横断面研究，共纳入四组人群：健康个体、前驱糖尿病（PDG）患者、代谢综合征（MSG）患者和糖尿病（DMG）患者。采集血样以评估红细胞形态和生化参数。进行人体测量学测量。此外，还应用了饮食和身体活动问卷。通过 AFM 评估红细胞形态，发现细胞形态和大小存在定量和定性变化。与健康组相比，PDG 组红细胞高度降低（-0.80μm，p<0.05），轴向比增加（-0.09μm，p<0.05）；MSG 组凹面深度降低（-0.19μm，p<0.05）；DMG 组红细胞高度降低（-0.46μm，p<0.05）和凹面深度降低（-0.29μm，p<0.05），轴向比增加（+0.08μm），厚度增加（+0.32μm，p<0.05）。PDG 组与 DMG 组凹面深度差异有统计学意义（+0.23μm，p<0.05），厚度差异也有统计学意义（-0.26μm，p<0.05）。MSG 组与 DMG 组在轴向比（-0.05μm）和厚度（-0.25μm）等变量上存在差异。此外，年龄、HbA1c、三酰甘油、体重指数、腰臀比和身体活动不足等较高水平与红细胞形态改变相关。AFM 是一种很有前途的工具，可在 2 型糖尿病等显著病理状态之前评估红细胞形态（高度、轴向比、凹面深度、厚度）的早期但细微变化。与代谢参数（如高三酰甘油、体重指数、腰围和身体活动不足）相比，HbA1c 可能对形态改变有更大影响。
