Effect of extracellular alkali metal salts on the electric parameters of human erythrocytes in normal and pathological conditions (homozygous beta-thalassemia).

The conductivity of human erythrocyte cells dispersed in various uni-univalent electrolyte solutions (NaCl, KCl, LiCl, CsCl; 0.15 M) have been measured in the frequency range from 10 KHz to 100 MHz at five temperatures between 5 and 45 degrees C. The results were analyzed in the light of the theory of conductivity polarization of a suspension of ellipsoidal particles-covered with two confocal shells. Differences in the electrical parameters of the membrane between normal and homozygous beta-thalassemic cells have been evidentiated.