Close relationship between high HbA1c levels and methemoglobin generation in human erythrocytes: The enhancement of oxidative stress in the process

Hanane Chemlal; Lamine Bournine; Sihem Mimoune; Saadia Boufeniche; Lamia Beddou; Sihem Bensalem; Mokrane Iguer-Ouada

doi:10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108543

Close relationship between high HbA_1c levels and methemoglobin generation in human erythrocytes: The enhancement of oxidative stress in the process

J Diabetes Complications. 2023 Aug;37(8):108543. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108543. Epub 2023 Jun 13.

Authors

Hanane Chemlal¹, Lamine Bournine², Sihem Mimoune³, Saadia Boufeniche³, Lamia Beddou⁴, Sihem Bensalem⁵, Mokrane Iguer-Ouada³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratoire de Gestion et Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles et Assurances Qualités, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Bouira, 10000 Bouira, Algeria. Electronic address: h.chemlal@univ-bouira.dz.
² Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétales et Ethnobotanique, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria; Département des Sciences Biologiques, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Bouira, 10000 Bouira, Algeria. Electronic address: l.bournine@univ-bouira.dz.
³ Laboratoire Associé en Ecosystèmes Marins et Aquacoles, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria.
⁴ Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria.
⁵ Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétales et Ethnobotanique, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria.

PMID: 37331270
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108543

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of diabetic plasma on human red blood cells (RBCs) in order to highlight the amplification mechanisms of oxidative stress (OS) in relation to methemoglobin (metHb) production, a potential bio-indicator that could be related to diabetes disease.

Research design and methods: Normal RBCs were co-incubated with the diabetic plasma of 24 patients at different HbA_1c levels, for 0, 24, and 48 h in order to assess cell turbidity and hemoglobin (Hb) stability. Hb and metHb production were quantified inside and outside RBCs. Malonaldehyde (MDA) level and cell morphology were concomitantly evaluated.

Results: The cell turbidity was significantly decreased in the group co-incubated with diabetic plasma at high HbA_1c levels (0.074 ± 0.010 AU) compared to the control group (0.446 ± 0.019 AU). A significant decrease in intracellular Hb (0.390 ± 0.075 AU) and its stability (0.600 ± 0.001 AU) were revealed. Also, we found an important increase of metHb levels inside RBCs (0.186 ± 0.017 AU) and in its supernatant (0.086 ± 0.020 AU) after 48 h. Consequently, MDA absorbance increased significantly (0.320 ± 0.040 AU) in RBCs exposed to diabetic plasma with high HbA_1c.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that poor glycemic control in diabetes leads to metHb generation which is the main factor of the OS amplification.

Keywords: Diabetic plasma; Hb; HbA(1c); MDA; Oxidative stress; RBCs; metHb.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Erythrocytes*
Hemoglobins / metabolism
Humans
Methemoglobin* / metabolism
Methemoglobin* / pharmacology
Oxidative Stress

Substances

Methemoglobin
Hemoglobins