Age-dependent differences in cation-osmotic haemolysis in rats

Erythrocyte microrheology changes were measured by cation-osmotic hemolysis (COH) in rats of different age groups (3, 12 and 24 months). COH in 12-mon th-old rats was significantly lower in low ionic strength media (spectrin s keleton) in comparison with 3-month-old rats. This decrease was much more p ronounced in 24-month-old animals, in which a significant decrease in COH i n incubating media with higher ionic strength was also observed. The relati onship between COH and eryhtrocyte deformability is also discussed. We sugg est that changes in biophysical state of spectrin skeleton are followed by changes in lipid bilayer properties.