Lectin binding in the diabetic rat kidney.

In this study metal-conjugated concanavalin A (Con A) and Bandieraea simplicifolia isolectin II (BSA II) have been applied to sections from kidneys of control rats and rats which had untreated diabetes for 70 days or for 200 days. Lectin binding was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of ferritin-iron or hemocyanin-copper. Con A binding increased significantly with diabetes; was totally blocked by alpha-D-mannoside; was not inhibited by fructose lysine; and was enhanced by NaHB4 preincubation. BSA II binding also increased significantly with diabetes.