[Inverse pH-dependent shape changes of erythrocytes in the presence of albumin].

A comparative study on the shape of human erythrocytes suspended in 7 different media showed, contrary to the well-known albumin-free case, an enhancement of the number of discocytes and stomatocytes for pH rising in all HSA containing media applied. At the same time, the transmembrane potential as determined by extra- and intracellular pH was lowered in all of 6 media tested. Consequently, there is no simple relationship between the pH-dependent behaviour of cell shape and corresponding changes of transmembrane potential.