Changes in Red Blood Cell Membrane Properties: The Role of Metabolic Syndrome Components

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic, hormonal and hemodynamic disorders that contribute to a change in the structural and functional status of erythrocytes and contribute to dysregulation of their cation transport function, where Ca2+ -dependent potassium channels (KCa channels) play an important role. A MetS model was performed using male Wistar rats, which were divided into control and experimental groups. Rats in the control group were fed standard rat chow. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to a high-fat and high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet for 12 weeks. The data obtained indicate that the HFHC diet led to obesity, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia. The level of glutathione (GSH) decreased in the erythrocytes of rats suffering from MetS, but the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. It was shown that the amplitude of the membrane potential of erythrocytes of rats with MetS changed depending on the acting agent: when stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 it decreased, when the redox system ascorbat –phenazine methosulfate was used, it increased compared to the control group. The data obtained indicate that a HFHC diet leads to changes in the physical and chemical properties of the erythrocyte membrane.