Biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: This study aims to establish a link between the lipid composition of red blood cell membrane and serum to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods:Diabetic subjects with and without dyslipidemia were selected along with healthy control subjects. Biochemical changes in serum and erythrocyte membrane were compared in study groups. Results: The lipid composition of membrane was significantly altered with increased cholesterol:Phospholipid ratio and decreased Na + K +-ATPase of membrane upon comparison with control subjects. Conclusion: Increased hyperglycemia with altered serum lipid composition in diabetes mellitus causes glycation of membrane enzymes this along with oxidative stress leads to decrease in activity of Na + K +-ATPase and other changes in erythrocyte membrane. Significant findings of the study: As the lipid level increases there is increased lipid peroxidation and the membrane composition gets altered.