The effect of cell volume and sugars on haemolysis by hydrodynamic shear stress

Abstract

The shear stress required to liberate a given quantity of haemoglobin (e.g. τ50 per cent) from human erythrocytes was increased as the osmotic strength of the suspending medium was decreased. The position and/or shape or each haemolysis profile was changed in a characteristic and reproducible manner, suggesting that this technique might be of value in diagnostic haematology. Sugars and their derivatives which entered the cell rapidly, increased τ50 per cent marc than similar sugars which entered very slowly. Both apparent “protection” effects described above are due to an increase in erythrocyte volume, which in turn affects the nature of the cell’s interaction with the applied shear field.