External electrostatic field induced changes of rat erythrocyte membranes

The purpose of this paper was to reveal the possible changes in membrane physical parameters, such as surface charge, ξ-potential and molecular interactions of membrane components due to the in vitro and in vivo influences of ESF.

The in vitro and in vivo (one hour) influences of 200 kV/m external electrostatic field (ESF) on the erythrocyte membranes of white outbred rats were investigated by spectrofluorometric, spectral and electrophoretic methods.

It was shown that the in vivo influence of ESF leads to the intermolecular reconstructions and decrease of the positive charged groups in membrane surface layer. At the same time, the increases of the negative charged groups of membrane proteins after the field influence, is revealed. The charge redistribution in membranes due to the in vitro influence of ESF is observed.

The analysis of literature data and generalization of data obtained allow us concluding that in parallel with the polarization of lipid component of bilayer the changes in the structural state of membrane proteins take place due to the ESF influence on the erythrocyte membranes. These changes can be the reason and/or the result of the ESF induced redistribution of membrane charge.