Zinc-activated C-peptide resistance to the type 2 diabetic erythrocyte is associated with hyperglycemia-induced phosphatidylserine externalization and reversed by metformin

Abstract

Insulin resistance can broadly be defined as the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells and tissues. Here, we report that erythrocytes (ERYs) obtained from type 2 diabetic rats display an apparent resistance to Zn 2+-activated C-peptide. Thus, the aims of this study were to demonstrate that Zn2+-activated C-peptide exerts potentially beneficial effects on healthy ERYs and that these same effects on type 2 diabetic ERYs are enhanced in the presence of metformin. Incubation of ERYs (obtained from type 2 diabetic BBZDR/Wor-rats) with Zn2+-activated C-peptide followed by chemiluminescence measurements of ATP resulte..