Kinetics of erythrocyte swelling and membrane hole formation in hypotonic media

Abstract

Red blood cell (RBC) swelling and membrane hole formation in hypotonic external media were studied by measuring the time-dependent capacitance, C, and the conductance, G, in the beginning of the beta-dispersion range. At high and moderate osmolarities of the external solution the capacitance reaches a steady-state whereas at low osmolarities it reveals a biphasic kinetics. Examination of RBC suspensions exposed to different concentrations of HgCl(2) demonstrates that water transport through mercury-sensitive water channel controls RBC swelling. Unlike the capacitance, an increase in the conductance to a stationary level is observed after a certain delay. A comparison of G(t) curves recorded for the suspensions of the intact cells and those treated with cytochalasin B or glutaraldehyde demonstrates the significant effect of the membrane viscoelasticity on the pore formation. It is shown that the stretched membrane of completely swollen RBC retains its integrity for a certain time, termed as the membrane lifetime, t(memb). Therefore, the resistivity of RBCs to a certain osmotic shock may be quantified by the distribution function of RBC(t(memb)).

Converting Red Blood Cells to Efficient Microreactors for Blood Detoxification

“…Following separation from blood and washing with isotonic solution, the RBCs were dispersed in hypotonic solution containing enzymes and proteins of interest. Under hypotonic conditions, to maintain the osmotic balance, water enters the RBCs causing cell swelling [13] which may be irreversible rupturing the cell or reversible when the cell has the potential to revert to the original state. In the reversible case, under optimal conditions transient pores of 200–500 Å diameters [13b] are generated allowing a two-way exchange of materials with enzymes within this size range to enter through the pores, while intrinsic proteins, such as hemoglobin (Hb), can leak out.…”

Imaging technique for real-time temperature monitoring during cryotherapy of lesions

“…Swelling or shrinking of RBCs with subsequent loss of the membrane integrity can happen due to thermally induced alteration of osmotic pressure. 52 Low osmolarity produces a hypotonic extracellular environment facilitating swelling and eventual hemolysis of erythrocytes; high osmolarity creates hypertonic extracellular conditions, with erythrocytes undergoing shrinking and crenation. RBCs exposed to laser radiation in the course of deep cooling were examined before and after ThOR measurements (Fig.…”

Carnosine and Its Role on the Erythrocyte Rheology

“…Various factors can cause hemolysis of the erythrocytes, including a decreased ambient osmotic pressure, decreased pH, and oxidants (Ivanov, 1999;Pribush et al, 2002).…”