Erythrocyte membrane fluidity: A novel biomarker of residual cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. e14121 - n/a
• Main Authors: Bianchetti, Giada, Cefalo, Chiara Maria Assunta, Ferreri, Carla, Sansone, Anna, Vitale, Marilena, Serantoni, Cassandra, Abeltino, Alessio, Mezza, Teresa, Ferraro, Pietro Manuel, De Spirito, Marco, Riccardi, Gabriele, Giaccari, Andrea, Maulucci, Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Arachidonic acid; Biomarkers; Blood circulation; cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular risk assessment; Cell membranes; Composition; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Erythrocytes; fatty acids; Fluidity; fluorescence microscopy; Health risks; Inflammation; machine‐learning; Membrane fluidity; Membranes; Regression analysis; Risk assessment; Risk factors; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular disease; machine-learning; cardiovascular risk assessment; type 2 diabetes; fatty acids; fluorescence microscopy; membrane fluidity
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.14121

Aims Improving the composition of circulating fatty acids (FA) leads to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in high‐risk individuals. The membrane fluidity of red blood cells (RBC), which reflects circulating FA status, may be a valid biomarker of cardiovascular (CV) risk in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Red blood cell membrane fluidity, quantified as general polarization (GP), was assessed in 234 subjects with T2D, 86 with prior major CVD. Based on GP distribution, a cut‐off of .445 was used to divide the study cohort into two groups: the first with higher GP, called GEL, and the second, defined as lower GP (LGP). Lipidomic analysis was performed to evaluate FA composition of RBC membranes. Results Although with comparable CV risk factors, the LGP group had a greater percentage of patients with major CVD than the GEL group (40% vs 24%, respectively, p < .05). Moreover, in a logistic regression analysis, a lower GP value was independently associated with the presence of macrovascular complications. Lipidomic analysis showed a clear shift of LGP membranes towards a pro‐inflammatory condition due to higher content of arachidonic acid and increased omega 6/omega 3 index. Conclusions Increased membrane fluidity is associated with a higher CV risk in subjects with T2D. If confirmed in prospective studies, membrane fluidity could be a new biomarker for residual CV risk assessment in T2D.