Hemolysis and Changes in Erythrocyte Membrane Lipids

Abstract

THE human erythrocyte membrane is primarily composed of lipid and protein. Since both moieties occur within this membrane in approximately equal amounts by weight, and since hemolysis, by definition, is a result of failure of the erythrocyte membrane, investigation of the nature and fate of both moieties in normal and hemolytic erythrocytes seems to be a reasonable starting point for study of the mechanism of hemolysis. Technical advances in lipid analysis and isolation in the past two decades have facilitated the collection of considerable information on the nature and reactions of membrane lipids.^{1 , 2} In contrast, methods for the isolation and . . .