Comparison and potential of hypo-osmotic and iso-osmotic erythrocyte ghosts and carrier erythrocytes as drug and enzyme carriers.

Preparation, characteristics and properties of the three types of erythrocyte ghost are compared. These include light scattering properties, morphology, retention of cellular components and biochemical function including membrane transport. In vivo studies in the BALB/c mouse and Beagle dog have allowed the potential to be assessed of these erythrocyte ghosts as drug and enzyme cellular carriers in the treatment of human diseases. The development of the carrier erythrocyte with restored cellular ATP content and properties, including in vivo survival, that are closely similar to those of the normal erythrocyte is also described and its potential discussed.