[Effect of zinc ions on the selected osmotic characteristics of human erythrocytes in vitro (author's transl)].

Effect of zinc on the osmotic fragility-stability of human erythrocytes in hypotonic NaCl solutions and on the reversion of hemolysis was studied in vitro. Erythrocytes washed in 0.9% NaCl were incubated in 1.5 X 10(-3) M ZnSO4 solution in 0.6% NaCl. The obtained results indicate an osmotic stabilization of the erythrocyte membrane by Zn2+ ions increase in osmotic fragility-stability in hypotonic NaCl solutions and increase in reversion of hemolysis due to the effect of Zn2+ ions. As the process of stabilization of the erythrocyte membrane by zinc ions was found to be independent of temperature, a non-enzymatic character of this phenomenon is postulated on this basis and on the basis of literature data.