Abnormal erythrocyte charge in diabetes mellitus. Link with microalbuminuria.

The anionic charge on the surface of the erythrocyte and the erythrocyte membrane content of sialic acid and acid glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were evaluated in insulin-dependent diabetic patients who had albumin excretion rates less than 300 mg/24 h. In these subjects a statistically significant reduction of erythrocyte anionic charge (RBCCh) and GAGs content in erythrocyte ghosts was shown. In view of the demonstration of a negative correlation between RBCCh and albuminuria after a lysine provocative test, these observations support the hypothesis that the onset of microalbuminuria in human diabetes is sustained by an alteration of glomerular charge and consequently of glomerular charge selectivity.