title: Structural changes of the erythrocyte as a marker of non-insulin-dependent diabetes: protective effects of N-acetylcysteine.
abstract: Prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance was considered as a hallmark of age-associated, non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD). The aim of this ex vivo study was to investigate possible implications of oxidative stress in the integrity and function of red blood cells (RBCs) from NIDD patients. Morphometric and analytical cytology studies were conducted. The results showed: (i) significant alterations of RBC ultrastructure; (ii) relevant changes of spectrin cytoskeleton; (iii) altered insulin receptor distribution; and (iv) that treatment with the antioxidizing drug N-acetylcysteine was capable of significantly counteracting these changes. These results suggest a reconsideration of RBC integrity as a possible progression marker in NIDD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrastructures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Straface
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rivabene
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masella
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santulli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paganelli
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Malorni
mesh_terms: D000050:Acanthocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D013049:Spectrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D013049:Spectrin; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine