LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN THE ERYTHROCYTES OF THE OBESE-DIABETIC SUBJECTS

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of diabetes melitus (type II) and obesity on the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation a nd the status of antioxidants in the plasma red blood cells of such pa tients. Methods: The study was carried out by the standard analytical methods on blood samples obtained from clinically diagnosed patients. Thirty six Libyan male subjects clinically diagnosed to have non insul in dependent diabetes mellitus, half of whom were lean with body mass index less than 26 and the other half obese with body mass index above 30, were used in the study. Another 36 obese or lean non-diabetics we re used as their respective controls. Results: The plasma a-tocopherol concentration was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the obese diabeti c patients, whereas the plasma uric acid concentration was significant ly lowered in the lean diabetics. The total plasma ascorbate level was not altered. On the other hand, the concentration of reduced glutathi one content of the red blood cells was reduced in both lean diabetic a nd obese diabetic subjects by 22.7% of that of controls. Consequently, the level of lipid peroxidation was increased in the erythrocytes of the two diabetic groups. However, the activity of the erythrocyte gluc ose - 6 - phosphate dehydrogenase was increased in both diabetic group s. The erythrocyte membrane from the two diabetic groups, as well as t he obese non-diabetic group, showed significant reductions in both cho lesterol and total phospholipid contents, whereas no reductions were o bserved in the choline - containing phospholipid fraction or the prote in content of the membrane in any of the groups. Conclusion: Lipid per oxidation is increased in the erythrocytes of the male diabetics. The risk of lipid peroxidation is further increased if the patient is obes e. The lipid peroxidation alters the lipid composition of the erythroc yte membrane.