Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, poses a significant global health challenge. While much research has centered on the impact of diabetes on major organs such as the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, the intricate relationship between diabetes and red blood cells (RBCs) morphology has gained recognition as a crucial aspect of the disease's pathophysiology. This review aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the alterations in RBC morphology associated with diabetes. In diabetes, hyperglycemia induces a cascade of events that lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and glycation, collectively contributing to changes in RBC structure and function. These alterations manifest as variations in cell size, shape, and membrane flexibility, ultimately impacting the rheological properties of blood. The compromised deformability of diabetic RBCs has implications for microcirculation and tissue perfusion, exacerbating complications such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.