Objective: 

Leukocyte fluidity plays an important role in microcirculation and therefore in the maintenance of immune function. Functional alterations of polymorphnuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes subgroups have been implicated in the pathogenesis of immune dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Data regarding rheological properties of lymphocytes in dogs with DM is very limited. In the present study, we aimed to assess the rheological properties of lymphocytes and their membrane protein content in dogs with DM.

Methods: 

Venous blood samples were obtained from dogs with DM (n=10) and healthy dogs (n=10). Lymphocyte deformability was assessed with the microfiltration technique by measuring cell rigidity against pressure. Membrane proteins were evaluated with the SDS-PAGE polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis technique. Statistical analysis were performed by Student-t test using the SPSS statistical package program

Results: 

The deformability of peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to be significantly decreased in the study group compared to controls (p<0.001). Membrane proteins were not different between the two groups.

Conclusions: 

It has been well established that DM is associated with impairment of microcirculation and immune dysfunction. As the findings of the present study suggest, although the membrane protein content seems to be unaltered, decreased lymphocyte deformability may be involved in such circulatory disturbements and possibly in the propensity to infections.