Erythrocyte membrane fluidity in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was determined in a group of type 1 diabetics in varying metabolic control. No difference in membrane fluidity, as measured by fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, was found between cells from diabetic subjects. In addition, no difference was detected in membrane phospholipid and cholesterol content or the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid in the diabetic subjects when compared to controls. The present study suggests that changes in erythrocyte membrane fluidity do not play a major role in the alterations of the physical properties of blood seen in type 1 diabetes mellitus.