Changes of physiological and biochemical characteristics of rat erythrocytes after blood loss

Abstract  In experiments on Wistar male rats, changes are studied of erythrocyte hematological, biochemical (activities of transport ATPases), and rheological properties (capability for aggregation and deformability) 7 days after bloodletting of 12–15% of the total blood mass. It has been shown that alongside with an elevation of erythrocyte volume and of the number of immature cells—reticulocytes, there was a statistically significant increase of Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase activities in the whole erythrocytes and in their membrane preparations—ghosts, the increment of activity in the case of Na,K-ATPase being essentially higher in the whole cells. This indicates the appearance of an enzyme activator inside the erythrocytes. There are also revealed a decrease of firmness of erythrocyte aggregates, a deceleration of spontaneous aggregation, and an increase of index of erythrocyte deformability. The conclusion is made that changes of erythrocyte rheological properties are interconnected with changes of the Na,K-ATPase activity and are aimed at optimization of blood circulation in large vessels and capillary network.