Red Cell Peroxide Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus

Summary

In a group of normal controls and in a group of diabetics subdivided for type we evaluated the following red blood cell parameters: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH.Px), catalase (C-ase), glutathione content (GSH) and membrane-protein-sulphydryl groups (P-SH).

There was no difference in the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in normals and in the diabetics. However, the erythrocyte GSH content as well as membrane P-SH groups discriminate the normals from diabetics and also the diabetics subdivided for type.

None of these parameters was related to the erythrocyte filterability considered as a reflection of the red blood cell deformability.

These findings reveal that the diabetic red blood cell is less protected from oxidant agents.

Key-Words

Red Blood Cell - Oxidant Agents - Peroxide - Metabolism - Diabetes Mellitus