Automated continuous measurement of erythrocyte volume under isotonic conditions

• Published in: Japanese journal of physiology Vol. 34; no. 3; p. 529
• Main Authors: Tatsumi, N, Tsuda, I, Maeda, H, Matsumoto, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 1984
• Subjects: Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects; Erythrocyte Indices - drug effects; Erythrocyte Membrane - drug effects; Erythrocyte Membrane - metabolism; Ethanol - pharmacology; Galactose - pharmacology; Glucose - pharmacology; Glycerol - pharmacology; Hematocrit; Humans; Isotonic Solutions; Methanol - pharmacology; Methods; Urea - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0021-521X
• DOI: 10.2170/jjphysiol.34.529

The time course of volume changes of erythrocytes, suspended in isotonic solutions containing permeable substances, was studied using a cell monitoring system which was assembled on the basis of Coulter's principle. For comparison, the hematocrit method was employed. The data obtained demonstrated that urea, glycerol, ethanol, and methanol induced a rapid volume increase, whereas glucose and galactose induced a slow volume increase. These results correspond well to the data obtained by the hematocrit method. The present method, which requires only a minimum volume of blood, showed high accuracy and high reproducibility. Thus, the method was considered applicable to experimental and clinical studies of membrane permeability of erythrocytes.