EFFECT OF PLASMA PROTEINS ON THE FRAGILITY OF ERYTHROCYTES

Abstract

Addition of fibrinogen or of the anticoagulant fraction of incubated fibrinogen (AFIF) to fresh blood in vitro decreases both the osmotic and the mechanical fragility of the erythrocytes. This suggests that these proteins contribute to the structural integrity of the red cells. On the other hand, addition of albumin does not affect significantly the fragility. Overnight incubation of the blood–protein mixtures abolishes the protective effect of fibrinogen on both kinds of fragility and that of AFIF on the osmotic type. The increased resistance of the red cells, however, to mechanical trauma in the presence of AFIF remains unaffected by incubation.