Molecular rheology: Definition,approach methods and clinical aspects

Abstract

The red blood cell membrane is a complex medium with rheological characteristics which may be understood in terms of macroscopic, microscopic and molecular properties. Rheological parameters at the molecular level are electrical surface charge and lipid fluidity. Surface charge results from the presence of ionized chemical groups at the cell surface and may be approached with cell electrophoresis methods. Among the most widely applied methods for studying membrane fluidity, electron spin resonance (ESR) and fluorescence polarization have been the subject of a large number of studies. This paper briefly describe the principles of these methods used to account for molecular rheology. As membranes alterations are associated with pathological processes of red cells, the methods may also be useful in the field of clinical research and the authors consider the clinical applications of these methods to the red blood cells.