Inorganic phosphate transport across the red blood cell membrane: the effect of exposure to hyperoxia.

Red cell structure and function were examined in rats exposed to 80% oxygen: 20% nitrogen for five days and compared with red cells from air-breathing animals. Evidence of red cell destruction was noted in the animals exposed to hyperoxia. Osmotic fragility was found to be reduced in red cells from oxygen exposed rats (p less than 0.05), also, red cell haemolysis in hydrogen peroxide was noted to be greater (p less than 0.001) in these animals. Inorganic phosphate ion transport was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) in the red cells from rats receiving oxygen for 5 days. The results demonstrate a decreased ability of the red cell to transport anions and suggest an impairment of the normal movement of water across the membrane following exposure to oxygen.