Estimation of the hemoglobin glycation rate constant

Abstract

In a previous study, a method of obtaining mean erythrocyte age (MRBC) from HbA1c and average plasma glucose (AG) was proposed. However, the true value of the hemoglobin glycation constant (kg dL/mg/day), required for this model has yet to be well characterized. Another study also proposed a method of deriving MRBC from erythrocyte creatine (EC). Utilizing these formulae, this study aimed to determine a more accurate estimate of kg. One hundred and seven subjects including 31 patients with hemolytic anemia and 76 subjects without anemia were included in this study. EC and HbA1c data were analyzed, and MRBC using HbA1c, AG and the newly-derived constant, kg were compared to MRBC using traditional 51Cr in three patients whose data were taken from previous case studies. A value of 7.0 × 10 - 6 dL/mg/day was determined for kg. MRBC using HbA1c, AG and kg were found to no be significantly different (paired t-test, p= 0.45) to MRBC using traditional 51Cr. kg enables the estimation of MRBC from HbA1c and AG.