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Alternative interpretation for the osmotic response of human erythrocytes
Author(s) -
Massaldi H. A.,
Richieri G. V.,
Mel H. C.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041270314
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , osmosis , chemistry , computational biology , biology , computer science , biochemistry , programming language , membrane
Abstract 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 osmolalities (160 to 3000 mOsm). Their results showed a partially hindered, nonlinear response, in contrast to classical observations made over more restricted osmolality ranges, using other methods. The authors suggested the underlying cause of this behavior to be a mechanical resistance of the 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 the hypertonic range.