[Changes in the ionic composition and shape of erythrocytes in response to cholera toxin]

Blood of 10 inbred rats has been investigated after effect of cholera toxin for 1 h by means of roentgenospectral energetic spectrometer Revex-5100 (USA). Simultaneously, erythrocytes have been studied by means of the scanning electron microscope. Contents of sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, serum, potassium, and ferrum ions have been estimated. The cholera toxin changes the contents of the ions mentioned in erythrocytes and contributes to certain changes of their form. A suggestion is made that the cholera toxin changes permeability of the erythrocytes membranes without participation of the cell cyclase systems.