Structural and mechanical characteristics of erythrocyte membranes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The morphology and structure of erythrocyte cytoskeleton and local mechanical characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and donors were studied by atomic force microscopy. Poikilocytosis and anisocytosis, spatial reorganization of the cytoskeleton (loosening and condensation of the actin-spectrin network), and modification of local mechanical properties of erythrocytes were characteristic of diabetics. These results indicate significant heterogeneity of erythrocyte population in the patients, most likely due to the presence of erythrocytes of different age groups, which can promote the development of diabetes complications (angiopathy).