Fluorescence studies of the aged erythrocyte membranes.

The most important purpose of this research is to characterize by means of fluorescence polarization the structural and functional changes which occur in the membrane of the human erythrocytes during aging process. Our results provide evidence of a significant increase of membrane fluidity in the deep lipid core and in the lipid/protein boundary, in the aged erythrocytes. These features are associated with a rigidity of the membrane surface, as revealed by the anisotropy increase of a specific probe suitable for monitoring the membrane protein behaviour. These modifications could be considered as one of the mechanisms which contribute to alter erythrocyte rheological properties sufficiently to be recognised and removed within circulation.