[In vitro effects of free fatty acids on water content and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in rabbits].

The effects of free fatty acids in the blood on osmotic fragility and water content of erythrocytes when combined with hyperthermia were investigated. The isotonic buffer, containing the fatty acid, was added to the erythrocyte suspension to a final concentration of 200 microM/l. The samples were kept for one hour in an incubator at 37 or 42 degrees C. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes was determined by Coil Planet Centrifuge System and intracellular water content was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. A high concentration of linoleic acid and hyperthermia caused the increase in intracellular water and the decrease in osmotic resistance of the red blood cells. The present experiment demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acid was one of the principal chemical and metabolic factors which cause sports anemia.