Role of Viscosity and Permeability of the Erythrocyte Plasma Membrane in Changes in Oxygen-Binding Properties of Hemoglobin during Diabetes Mellitus

Changes in viscosity and permeability of the plasma membrane and conformation of erythrocyte hemoglobin hematoporphyrin were found in patients with diabetes mellitus. The decrease in oxygen binding and increase in deoxyhemoglobin concentration during diabetes mellitus were accompanied by changes in viscosity and permeability of the membrane for Na+, H+, Ca2+, and K+. Our results suggest that oxygen-binding properties of hemoglobin depend on viscosity and permeability of the erythrocyte plasma membrane.