Infrared spectroscopic study of diabetic platelets

In the present study, we use infrared difference spectroscopy to correlate spectroscopic changes with biochemical and physical profiles in diabetic platelets. The IR spectroscopic analysis confirms the increased glycosylation of diabetic platelets compared to that of control platelets. The protein composition and/or structure in diabetic platelets also changed. Furthermore, the overall content of membrane lipids in diabetic platelets increased compared to that in control platelets as did the lipid peroxidation while their membrane fluidity decreased. To investigate the chronic hyperglycemia effect on platelet membranes, we also incubated the platelets with a high concentration of glucose. Key changes observed in the glucose-incubated platelets were increased glycosylation of platelet membranes. increased lipid content and peroxidation, however, the membrane fluidity was not altered. Our results provide direct information on the overall changes in diabetic platelets, and suggest that IR spectroscopy may have a place in the characterization of platelets in diabetes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.