Alternative interpretation for the osmotic response of human erythrocytes

✍ Scribed by H. A. Massaldi; G. V. Richieri; H. C. Mel

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 323 KB
• Volume: 127
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9541
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.1041270314

✦ Synopsis

In a recent publication, Heubusch et al. (J Cell. Physiol, 122:266-272, 1985) reported changes of erythrocyte volume measured by the Coulter counter technique over a wide range of osrnolalities (160 to 3000 m0srn). Their results showed a partially hindered, nonlinear response, in contrast to classical observations made over more restricted osmolality ranges, using other rnethods. The authors suggested the underlying cause of this behavior to be a mechanical resistance of t h e membrane cytoskeleton. In this paper, we wish to offer a different interpretation of their results on erythrocyte osmotic behavior, based on similar experiments carried out in our laboratory, and supported by previous analyses from the literature. In particular, it is shown that the shape-factor correction to the electronic sizing measurement can correctly account for the observed deviations from linearity in the hypotonic range. In contrast, increased chemical nonideality and eventual hemolysis are the likely factors responsible for the behavior in t h e hypertonic range.