Red cell glycolytic intermediates in diabetic patients.

The glycolytic intermediates of the red cells of 11 adult diabetic patients were compared with those of eight normal controls. A statistically significant elevation of glucose-6-P and fructose-6-P levels were correlated with the blood sugar levels and 2,3-DPG levels. The absence of a metabolic crossover point suggests that the effect of high levels of glucose may be exerted through regulation of the hexokinase step, itself, but the nature of the regulation cannot be deduced from the complex situation which exists in vivo.