[Environmentally dependent erythrocyte membrane permeability as a source of error in the determination of hematocrit]

The volume of human red blood cells (RBC) was evaluated by means of the centrifugation method (hematocrit) and 131-J-labelled human serum albumin, respectively. Both of the methods yielded an identical volume of about 107 micron3 of the single RBC, provided the evaluation was performed in autologous plasma. Contrary to the 131-J-albumin method the results of which were found independent of various pretreatments of RBC, the centrifugation hematocrits of RBC previously washed with PBS and resuspended in PBS or saline protein media resulted in a mean cell volume of about 86 micron3. The decrease of the cell volume was associated with an efflux of K+ ions. If the RBC are centrifuged at 800 g instead of 15000 g, their volume will remain unchanged. The assessment of cytodeformability has shown, that RBC in PBS by loss of cell volume could enter a 2.3 micron micropipette completely. RBC in plasma, though traversing a 2.9 micron micropipette were incapable of entering a 2.3 micron channel completely. With pressures ranging from 300 to 350 mm H2O the processes of these cells undergo microspherulation.