Abstract:
Type II diabetes (T2D) is a pandemic characterized by pathological circulating inflammatory markers, high-glucose levels and
oxidative stress. The hematological system is especially vulnerable to these aberrant circulating molecules, and erythrocytes (RBCs)
show aberrant rheology properties, owing to the direct contact with these molecules. Pathological levels of circulating
inflammatory markers in T2D therefore have a direct effect on the molecular and cellular structure of RBCs. Previous research has
suggested that antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress that results from the pathological inflammatory markers. Particularly,
polyphenol antioxidants like oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) may act as a hydroxyl mopping agent, and may have a positive
effect on the deformability and membrane protein structure of RBCs from T2D. In this paper, we look at the effect of one such
agent, Pinus massoniana bark extract (standardized to 95% oligomeric proanthicyanidins), on the RBC membrane structures and
RBC shape changes of T2D, after laboratory exposure at physiological levels. Our methods of choice were atomic force microscopy
and scanning electron microscopy to study RBC elasticity and ultrastructure. Results showed that in our hands, this OPC could
change both the eryptotic nature of the RBCs, as viewed with scanning electron microscopy, as well as the elasticity. We found a
significant difference in variation between the elasticity measurement values between the RBCs before and after OPC exposure
(P-value o0.0001). In conclusion, the data from both these techniques therefore suggest that OPC usage might contribute to the
improvement of RBC functioning.
