Increased erythrocyte aggregation in diabetes mellitus and its relationship to glycosylated haemoglobin and retinopathy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The velocity of erythrocyte aggregation in vitro was determined in 15 non-diabetic and 28 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic subjects, in autologous plasma under uniform shear flow using a rheoscope combined with a television image analyzer and a computer. In the diabetic subjects, the velocity of aggregation showed a significant correlation with the haemoglobin A1 level, and was significantly increased in the proliferative retinopathy group. An alteration of plasma protein composition in the diabetic subjects (increase of Ø- and α2-fractions) also influenced erythrocyte aggregation, being related to the haemoglobin A1 level. The percentage of the Ø-fraction and a parameter, (α2+φ)/albumin, defined by plasma electrophoresis, showed a strong correlation with the velocity of aggregation.