Analysis of glutathionyl hemoglobin levels in diabetic patients by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry: effect of vitamin E administration

By using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that glutathionyl hemoglobin (Hb)β-chain levels are markedly increased in the erythrocytes of diabetic patients as compared with healthy subjects. The administration of vitamin E to the diabetic patients for 8 weeks significantly decreased the levels of glutathionyl Hbβ, whereas it did not affect the levels of HbA1c, glycated Hbβ or glycated Hbα. Glutathionyl Hb levels can be used as a new clinical marker of oxidative stress.