CELL-MEMBRANE DYNAMICS AND INSULIN-RESISTANCE IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Insulin resistance in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) could be ralated to changes in cell membrane properties. We measured i nsulin sensitivity and mononuclear leucocyte membrane fluidity by fluo rescence polarisation in fifteen NIDDM patients and twenty-one normal subjects. Core-region anisotropy was significantly lower in leucocytes from diabetic subjects (mean 0.164 vs 0.174, p<0.001). Insulin sensit ivity was positively correlated with such anisotropy before and after acute invitro insulin treatment. There was no difference in superficia l membrane anisotropy. This study suggests that altered membrane dynam ics in NIDDM may contribute to insulin resistance.