EFFECT OF THYROTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE O N THE STRUCTURE OF RAT ERYTHROCYTES

The effect of regulatory peptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) o n the structure of the plasma membrane and morphology of rat erythrocy tes was studied using a spin probe and scanning electron microscopy. E PR spectra of the spin probe introduced in the intramembrane space dem onstrate that TRH at 10(-7) and 10(-3) M in duces structural changes i n the erythrocyte membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that i ntroduction of TRH at 10(-11), 10(-7), and 10(-3) M in the erythrocyte suspension increased the proportion of discocytes as compared to the control. This effect is due to TRH-induced cell transformation in disc ocytes. The obtained data suggest that TRH affects the membrane struct ure and the morphology of erythrocytes, changes the functional activit y of these cells and, thus, indirectly influences the rate of the oxyg en supply to tissue.