Erythrocyte and serum lipids in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane and its role in the biochemical and metabolic changes in diabetes mellitus had a great interest by many investigators recently. Both plasma and erythrocyte membrane total lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids were studied in 20 non- insulin dependent diabetic patients and 10 subjects matched as regards age and sex as a control group. The study showed that there was significant increase in serum total lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids. The erythrocyte membrane cholesterol and phospholipids showed significant difference between the diabetic group and the normals. Also, the cholesterol/phospholipids showed non-significant difference. These results revealed the significance of elevated cholesterol in both plasma and erythrocyte membrane in diabetes mellitus as a major factor for diminution of the membrane fluidity. Elevation of phospholipids is a compensatory mechanism against elevation of cholesterol to keep erythrocyte membrane fluidity. Failure of this compensatory mechanism will lead to increased erythrocyte membrane rigidity with its effect on its function in diabetes mellitus