title: [Changes in erythrocyte deformability following changes in oxido-reductive metabolism in diabetes mellitus].
abstract: The enhanced sorbitol synthesis in diabetic red blood cells can lead to a depletion of NADPH and, by limiting the amount of GSH produced in the glutathione-reductase step, can make the cell more susceptible to oxidant injury. Diabetic red blood cells have a shortened life span, as shown by the increase of creatine level. The osmotic resistance of diabetic erythrocytes was measured and the erythrocyte flexibility was studied using a filtration method in which the cells were forced, at a constant flow rate, through a polycarbonate membrane with 5-mu pores. The increased osmotic resistance and the impaired flexibility shown by diabetic red blood cells can be induced in normal cells by a treatment with SH-reagents (diamide). This points to a redox state-mediated decrease in deformability and survival of diabetic erythrocytes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009249:NADP / Q000097:blood; D009996:Osmotic Fragility; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014462:Ultrafiltration
chemical_list: D013012:Sorbitol; D009249:NADP; D005978:Glutathione
vernacular_title: Alterazioni della deformabilità eritrocitaria conseguenti a modificazioni del metabolismo ossido-riduttivo nel diabete mellito.