Changes in Surface Charge Density of Blood Cells in Fatal Accidental Hypothermia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate postmortem changes concerning electric charge of human erythrocytes and thrombocytes in fatal accidental hypothermia. The surface charge density values were determined on the basis of the electrophoretic mobility measurements of the cells conducted at various pH values of electrolyte solution. The surface charge of erythrocyte membranes after fatal accidental hypothermia increased compared to the control group within whole range of experimental pH values. Moreover, a slight shift of the isoelectric point of erythrocyte membranes towards high pH values was observed. The surface charge of thrombocyte membranes in fatal accidental hypothermia decreased at low pH compared to the control group. However, at pH range 4–9, the values increased compared to the control group. The isoelectric point of thrombocyte membranes after fatal accidental hypothermia was slightly shifted towards low pH values compared to the control group. The observed changes are probably connected with the partial destruction and functional changes of the blood cell structure.

Equilibria Between Cell Membranes and Electrolyte Solution: Effect of Fatal Accidental Hypothermia

“…Data presented in the paper are based on our previous publication (Szeremeta et al 2015 ), in which there are only experimental results of the surface charge density changes of the blood cell membranes after fatal accidental hypothermia. However, this work presents the theoretical approach for describing equilibria occurring in the erythrocytes and thrombocytes membranes as well as determination of parameters characterizing the equilibria.…”

“…This parameter strongly depends on environmental conditions such as pH and membrane composition. Changes of the membrane surface charge density values are observed in vitro [adding ionizable surfactants (McLaughlin and Harary 1976 ), altering the membrane composition] as well as in vivo [sudden unexpected death (Kotyńska et al 2012 ), fatal carbon monoxide poisoning (Szeremeta et al 2013 ; Petelska et al 2015 ), fatal accidental hypothermia (Szeremeta et al 2015 )] conditions.…”

“…The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of physicochemical measurements in diagnosis of fatal hypothermia. Studies of electrical properties of human cell membranes have been realized recently by Petelska et al (Kotyńska et al 2012 ; Petelska et al 2012 ; Szeremeta et al 2013 , 2015 ). Our last paper (Szeremeta et al 2015 ) presents experimental surface charge density values of blood cells in fatal accidental hypothermia, obtained by microelectrophoresis method.…”

“…Studies of electrical properties of human cell membranes have been realized recently by Petelska et al (Kotyńska et al 2012 ; Petelska et al 2012 ; Szeremeta et al 2013 , 2015 ). Our last paper (Szeremeta et al 2015 ) presents experimental surface charge density values of blood cells in fatal accidental hypothermia, obtained by microelectrophoresis method. Due to the lack of published studies concerning the effect of hypothermia on equilibria between cell membranes and surrounding ions, in this paper, we provide a quantitative description of the equilibria.…”

Technobiology Paradigm in Nanomedicine: Treating Cancer with MagnetoElectric Nanoparticles

“…While current system measures magnetic fields, the intrinsic cellular information is reflected in electric fields that traditional MNPs are unable to translate (104,105). To address this problem, we propose using multiferroic nanostructures known as magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs) capable of coupling the electric signature of cancer cells, which is based on cell type and prognosis stage, to the magnetoelectric effect property of the nanoparticles (106)(107)(108)(109)(110). MENs have proven to have magnetic and electric dipole moments which are correlated through the ME effect (66)(67)(68)(69).…”