Rheological and metabolic leucocyte determinants in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

In diabetics of type 1 and 2 we examined, in resting white blood cells (WBC), the filtration parameters (Initial Relative Flow Rate - IRFR, Clogging Rate - CR) employing the St. George Filtrometer, the polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) membrane fluidity, the PMN cytosolic Ca²⁺ content and the PMN membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (C/PL). From the obtained data, it is evident that, while the IRFR of unfractionated WBC distinguishes normals from diabetics of type 1 and 2, the filtration parameters of the PMN and mononuclear cells (MN) do not show any significant difference. PMN membrane fluidity, PMN cytosolic Ca²⁺ content and PMN C/PL do not discriminate normals from diabetics of type 1 and 2. No relationship is evident between WBC filtration and metabolic parameters (fasting blood glucose level, serum cholesterol and triglycerides); no correlation is present between PMN filtration parameters, PMN membrane fluidity and PMN metabolic determinants (cytosolic Ca²⁺, C/PL).