STRESS-WAVE-INDUCED MEMBRANE PERMEATION OF RED-BLOOD-CELLS IS FACILITATED BY AQUAPORINS

Stress waves generated by lasers and extracorporeal lithotripters have been shown to transiently increase the permeability of the plasma mem brane, without affecting cell viability, Molecules present in the medi um can diffuse into the cytoplasm under the concentration gradient, Mo lecular uptake under stress waves correlates with the presence of func tioning aquaporins in the plasma membrane, (C) 1997 World Federation f or Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.