Mechanisms of delayed red cell destruction after thermal injury. An experimental in vitro sem study.

Factors likely to affect the life span of erythrocytes in thermally injured patients have been investigated by an model. Normal blood was incubated with phospholipase A, prostaglandins, adrenaline, noradrenaline and adrenochrome. After incubation the samples were heated for 10 min at 48°, 49° and 50°. Glutaraldehyde fixed samples were examined by Stereoscan electronmicrography. Phospholipase A reduced the normal thermal deformation point from 49° to 48°. Prostaglandin E, noradrenaline and adrenochrome increased the required temperature to 50°. Adrenaline had no effect. Lowering the zeta potential by treatment with neuraminidase increased the thermal deformation point to 50°. This effect was abolished if the cells were also treated with trypsin. Possible applications of these findings to red cell survival in burned patients are discussed.