Chronic alcohol consumption augments loss of sialic acid residues and alters erythrocyte membrane charge in type II diabetic patients

In this study, the effects of alcohol consumption on erythrocyte membrane properties in type 2 diabetic patients were investigated. Therefore, we measured total and lipid‐bound sialic acid (LSA) levels, sialidase activities, and erythrocyte membrane negative charge. Three groups, including control group ( n = 20), alcohol‐consuming diabetic patients group ( n = 14), and diabetic patients without alcohol consumption group ( n = 42), were created. Plasma total sialic acid (TSA) levels of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group were elevated as compared to the healthy control and diabetic group ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). TSA levels of the diabetic group were significantly elevated as compared to the healthy control group ( p > 0.001). Plasma LSA levels of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group were higher than that in the healthy control and diabetic group ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). LSA levels of the diabetic group were found to be high as compared to the healthy control group ( p < 0.05). Plasma sialidase activities of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group and diabetic group were significantly elevated as compared to the healthy control group ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). Sialidase activities of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group were elevated as compared to the diabetic group, but this was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Erythrocyte membrane negativity levels of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group and diabetic group were significantly decreased ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) as compared to the healthy control group. Erythrocyte membrane negativity levels of the alcohol‐consuming diabetic group were decreased as compared to the diabetic group, but this was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that chronic alcohol consumption may augment membrane alterations in type 2 diabetic patients. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:320–327, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20243