Erythrocyte glucose, ATP, lactate concentrations and their modifications induced by isologous plasma in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

We determined erythrocyte glucose, ATP and lactate contents in diabetic subjects using an experimental design in which red blood cells (RBCs) were incubated over four hours in their own plasma and in plasma from normal subjects. The results indicated that baseline RBC glucose and lactate concentrations were higher in diabetic RBCs than in the controls, while ATP content was similar. After incubation, in diabetic RBCs glucose decreased significantly but more markedly when RBCs were incubated in normal plasma; lactate increased markedly in diabetic erythrocytes in their own plasma, but increased to the same extent as controls when incubated in normal plasma. ATP levels were similar to baseline values in diabetic RBCs in their own plasma, but decreased significantly when incubated in normal plasma. Since we found such a different metabolic behaviour in diabetic RBCs changing from diabetic to normal plasma, the important role of blood glucose in regulating RBC glycolysis is again confirmed.