Shi L. A study of red blood cells morphological response on changes in ionic content of the medium

The object of study: transformation of erythrocytes, hydroxyl ion transport and ion exchange in erythrocytes, erythrocyte morphology. Purpose: To study the effects of inorganic and organic anions on dynamics of shape changes and redistribution of hydroxyl ions in human red blood suspension. Methods: spectrophotometry using shapemeter-agregometer SA-01, dynamic pH measurements, light microscopy, statistical analysis. Theoretical and practical results, novelty: Triphasic morphological response (MR) of erythrocytes is characterised and dependencies of each phase on the blood sample and properties of the incubation medium are established. It was found that inorganic anions Cl?, F?, Br?, I?, NO3? і NO2? inhibited phase 3, phase 2 and then phase 1 of morphological response (MR by increasing their concentration in the medium up to 20 mM. Dissociation constant for phase 1 is 2-3 larger than for phase 3. At phase 3 anions induced a recovery of discoid cell shape which was dependent on anion type and concentration. Iodide was less effective in this respect compared with other anions studied. Organic anions with different chemical structure and valence, including acetate, citrate, tartrate, salicylate, and EDTA salts (Na2E и Na4E) had a complex anion-specific and concentration and phase dependent influence on MR. In most cases there was a correlation between the transformation of red blood cells and the process of redistribution of hydroxyl ions. This implies that the MR either causally is connected with the process of redistribution of anions and cations in the cell, or occurs in parallel to it, suggesting an existence a more unknown mechanisms, which form the basis of both phenomena. Field of application and performance: The results can be used in scientific research during study a various topics of cell physiology. Characteristic cell response on changes in cell environment can be used to pick up an optimal mediums to storage and long time preservation of erythrocytes.