Carbohydrate content of human red cell membrane in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

The protein and carbohydrate contents of red cell membranes from 12 patients with liver cirrhosis were compared to those from 12 normal donors. Protein content was significantly higher and surface sialic acid and neutral hexoses were similar, whereas surface fucose and hexosamine were significantly lower in the cirrhotic red cells. The role of these membrane modifications is discussed.