About the Mechanism of Mammalian Erythrocytes Osmotic Stability

Abstract

The peculiarities of the effect of hypertonic shock and hypotonic stress on erythrocytes of different species of mammals (human, bull, horse, rabbit, dog, rat) have been investigated. Based on the results of correlation analysis (using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient), the relationship between osmotic sensitivity of mammalian erythrocytes and the well-known structural and functional characteristics of these cells was assessed. The paper presents and analyzes the significant relationships. Under hypotonic stress of mammalian erythrocytes, the values of the threshold concentration of NaCl and the one of osmotic fragility were found to correlate with the size of cells (diameter). Under hypertonic shock of mammalian erythrocytes, the values of the threshold concentrations of NaCl and that of hemolysis of cells in a medium containing 4.0 mol/L NaCl correlated with the membrane permeability to water. Mammalian erythrocytes with a high value of the coefficient of diffusion water transport due to the protein channels are more resistant to hypertensive shock.