Anoxia induced membrane changes in human red blood cells

The cation-osmotic hemolysis was studied in human red blood cells incubated under anoxic conditions. In relation to the time course of anoxia, two pha ses of hemolysis were distinguished. A significant decrease of hemolysis wa s found between 3 and 24 h of incubation. On the other hand, hemolysis was significantly increased after prolonged incubation (48-72 h). Using the met hod of cation-osmotic hemolysis, the properties of two membrane constituent s, spectrine membrane skeleton and membrane bilayer, were studied. The rela tion between cation-osmotic hemolysis and erythrocyte deformability is bein g discussed.