Diabetes mellitus and subjects' ageing: a study on the ATP content and ATP-related enzyme activities in human erythrocytes

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 327 - 332
• Main Authors: RABINI, R. A., PETRUZZI, E., STAFFOLANI, R., TESEI, M., FUMELLI, P., PAZZAGLI, M., MAZZANTI, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford BSL Blackwell Science Ltd 01.04.1997; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphate - blood; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ageing; Aging - blood; Associated diseases and complications; ATP content; Biological and medical sciences; Ca2+-ATPase; Calcium-Transporting ATPases - blood; Diabetes Mellitus - blood; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; erythrocyte; Erythrocytes - chemistry; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Na+K+-ATPase; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase - blood; Endocrinopathy; Human; Immunopathology; Senescence; Biochemical analysis; Enzyme; Red blood cell; Autoimmune disease; Exploration; K; Non insulin dependent diabetes; transporting ATPase; Blood cell; Na; Enzymatic activity; Plasma membrane; Insulin dependent diabetes; Hydrolases; exchanging ATPase; ATP; Age; Ca
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1997.1130652.x

Na+/K+‐ and Ca2+‐ATPase are the major ATP‐dependent membrane‐bound enzymes that regulate the cation transmembrane gradient which is altered both in red blood cell (RBC) senescence and in RBCs of diabetic patients. In an attempt to clarify the possible connection between diabetes mellitus and ageing, we investigated the relationship between RBC ATP content, Na+/K+‐ATPase, Ca2+‐ATPase activities and ageing in healthy, insulin‐dependent (IDDM) and non‐insulin‐dependent (NIDDM) subjects. A significant correlation was found (r = −0.82; P < 0.001) between RBC ATP content and subject's age only in the control group. A significant reduction in Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was observed in the older group (C2) of control subjects, in comparison with the younger (C1) one. In both IDDM and NIDDM subjects, the enzymatic activity was significantly decreased when compared with healthy subjects of similar age (P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between age and enzymatic activity in healthy subjects (r = −0.60; P < 0.001). No difference was observed in the RBC membrane Ca2+‐ATPase activity between younger (C1) and older (C2) healthy subjects. Ca2+‐ATPase activity was significantly increased both in IDDM patients compared with C1 (P < 0.001) and in NIDDM patients compared with C2 (P < 0.001). The present data indicate that ageing causes a reduction in the erythrocyte ATP content in both healthy and diabetic subjects. In diabetic patients Na+/K+‐ATPase activity decreases independently of age.