Red cell Ca2+ content (cytosolic and total) and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in vascular atherosclerotic disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Caimi, Gregorio | Lo Presti, Rosalia | Serra, Antonio | Grifo, Giacomo | Sarno, Antonio

Affiliations: Istituto di Clinica Medica e Malattie Cardiovascolari, Università di Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italia

Abstract: In a group of 21 subjects with vascular atherosclerotic disease (VAD) we evaluated the cytosolic red cell Ca2+ content (employing Fura-2AM), the total red cell Ca2+ content (using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer) and the erythrocyte membrane fluidity (marking intact red blood cells with pyrene). From the obtained results, it is evident that cytosolic and total red cell Ca2+ content do not distinguish normals from VAD subjects. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity discriminates normals from VAD subjects. No relationship is present between erythrocyte membrane fluidity, total and cytosolic red cell Ca2+ content.

Keywords: Cytosolic red cell Ca2+ content, Total red cell Ca2+ content, Erythrocyte membrane fluidity, Vascular atherosclerotic disease

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1991-11607

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 617-621, 1991