Abstract
To further clarify the erythrocyte abnormalities reported in patients with biliary atresia, a study was performed utilizing the bile duct ligated rabbit as a model. Hematologic parameters, membrane and plasma lipid determinations and P32 phospholipid kinetic studies were performed serially at intervals post ligation. Osmotic fragility studies show progressively increasing red cell sensitivity to osmotic lysis following ligation. Morphologically, a striking increase in “burr cells” is noted within 24–48 hrs. Elevation of erythrocyte membrane and plasma lecithin levels are noted by 3–4 days post ligation reaching maximal values near 40% of total membrane phopholipid by one week. Injection of P32 at varying intervals from 2–16 days post ligation show the specific activity of phopholipid phosphorus in both red cells and plasma to be higher in the bile duct ligated animals than in controls. Rise in plasma P32 activity preceeds that of red cell and is maximal at 24 hrs. Red cell labelling shows a progressive rise over a 3–4 day period. Despite the quantitation difference of specific activity in experimental and control groups, the ratio of red cell specific activity: plasma specific activity is similar in both groups. These results suggest that the qualitative and quantitative alterations of erythrocyte phospholipid are directly related to the plasma phospholipid alterations.
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Neerhout, R. Erythrocyte membrane alterations in experimental biliary obstruction. Pediatr Res 5, 410–411 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00165