Structural alteration of erythrocyte membrane during storage: a combined electrical conductometric and flow-cytometric study

Alterations in the electrical passive parameters of red blood cell membrane s occurring during storage have been investigated by means of two different experimental approaches, i.e., radiowave dielectric spectroscopy measureme nts and flow-cytometric measurements. We observed a correlation between the appearance of phosphatidylserine molecules in the outer leaflet of the cel l membrane and the occurrence of a change in the electrical passive membran e parameters. The electrical re-organization of the membrane, resulting in an increase of its conductivity and permittivity after 5-7 days from blood storage, can be considered as a precursory event for the loss of asymmetry in the lipid distribution across red blood cell membrane.