Red-cell aggregation in insulin-dependent diabetics

Abstract

RBC aggregation is studied on 60 insulin dependent diabetic patients and 61 controls by laser light reflectometry technique. This study indicated a complete REC disaggregation shear stress higher in diabetics than in controls and increasing with retinopathy intensity. Otherwise, we have shown a positive correlation between the disaggregation shear stress and fibrinogen, glycosilated haemoglobin (HbA_1C) or alpha-2 globulins levels. Aggregation was higher when diabetic erythrocytes are suspended in their own plasma than in normal plasma. On the other hand, for cells in the same suspending medium (normal or diabetic plasma, dextran solution), cross-over experiments showed that diabetic erythrocytes aggregates more than normal erythrocytes.

These results suggest that hyperaggregation in diabetics is both related to an increased protein level (fibrinogen) and to an intrinsic membrane erythrocyte abnormality. The relationship between the alteration in erythrocyte adhesiveness and retinopathy was discussed.