Background: Na+/K+ ATP–ase enzymes are one of the major integral membrane proteins that are involved in signal transduction, metabolic activities and maintenance of the membrane potential. Reports have suggested significant adverse effects of hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) on the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity predicting future complications of the disease.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the relative importance of insulin resistance and glycated haemoglobin on reduction of  Na+/K+ ATP–ase activity in type 2 DM.

Methods: Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin levels and Na+/K+ ATP–aseactivity were measured in 60 cases and 60 control subjects in a hospital based, cross sectional study. HOMA–IR was calculated as a marker of insulin resistance from the values of FBG and serum insulin using HOMA calculator.

Results: Mean values of Na+/K+ ATP–ase was significantly lower with increased values of FBG, HbA1c and HOMA–IR in the case group (P values < 0.001). Although, Na+/K+ ATP–ase activity showed significant negative correlation with both HOMA–IR (r = –0.353, P = .006) and HbA1c (r = –0.266, P = .04), its dependence was significant only on the HOMA–IR values (β = –0.295, P = .04).

Conclusion: Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity is significantly reduced in type 2 DM. In spite of marked increase in both glycated haemoglobin and insulin resistance in type 2 DM, the latter determines the membrane dynamics of receptor proteins and transporter like the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump more effectively.