[Disordered Na+/H+ metabolism in the erythrocytes of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

Na+/H+ countertransport speed in red cells of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) patients was studied. The rate of Na+/H+ exchange in diabetic erythrocytes did not differ statistically from the rate of such exchange in control erythrocytes. Statistically significant differences in the rates of Na+/H+ exchange in red cells of patients with and without angiopathies were not found either, though the above rate was higher in nephropathy patients compared to those with retinopathy. Statistically significant acceleration of the Na+/H+ exchange rate was found in red cells of patients with family history of IDDM compared to patients without hereditary predisposition. There was no correlation between the rate of Na+/H+ exchange and duration of diabetes mellitus. It is suggested that acceleration of Na+/H+ countertransport in red cells of different diabetic groups may be polyetiological.