[Infrared spectroscopy of erythrocyte membranes]

The authors examined the properties of erythrocyte membranes, obtained from young and old erythrocytes of 2-old rats by means of infrared spectroscopy. The films, prepared on CeF2 plates were recorded before and after 30 minutes treatment with methanol, ethyl and isopropil alcohol respectively. There were age differences. The young erythrocytes contained 25% beta, 27% alpha, 28% random (diforderly) and 20% beta-antiparallel conformed proteins. The old erythrocyte membranes contained 45% alpha and 55% proteins, structured disorderly. After treatment of the films for a period of 30 minutes with methanol, ethyl or isopropil alcohol there were changes, which manifested beta structures in young erythrocytes around 31% and in old erythrocytes around 30% of the intensity of the total absorption of the membrane proteins. Methanol caused maximal increase of the disorderly structure in the young membranes and maximal beta structure in the old erythrocytes in comparison with the remaining alcohols. Ethanol caused maximal increase of beta structure in young membranes and maximal increase of disorderly structure in the old membranes. Isopropanol caused changes close to those induced by methanol. The observed changes in accordance with the age of erythrocyte membranes before and after treatment with alcohol manifested peculiarities in the conformation of the membranes proteins. These data corresponded to the discovered quantitative changes in the content of the erythrocyte membrane in the process of erythrocyte aging.