[Role of nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins in disorders of erythrocytes and blood platelets in diabetes mellitus].

Numerous alterations in the structure and function of red blood cells and blood platelets in diabetes mellitus result from the process of nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins. Nonenzymatic attachment of glucose to cell membrane protein amino group, for example, can accompany hypoglycaemia. Chemical modifications of membrane proteins are likely to lead to alterations in the dynamic properties of lipid bilayer and membrane fluidity in diabetic blood cells. Conformational changes of membrane and cytosol proteins glycosylation may underline changes in blood rheology and platelet hypersensitivity in diabetes mellitus.