354 



GENERAL DISCUSSION 



action of the proteins in the external celhilar medinm — explains 

 the high radioresistance of erythrocytes in the organism. It was of 

 interest to investigate the effect of non-protein protective snbstances 

 on the surface layer of the erythrocytes in the absence and in the pre- 

 sence of sernm protems. 



Together with Knzin we studied the action of the following sub- 

 stances: (1) cysteamine and ^-aminoeltylisothiouroniuni bromide 

 (AET); (2) ascorbic acid and adrenaline; (3) morphine and nembutal; 

 (4) glucose and l)lood serum (Fig. 4). The action of these substances is 

 expressed by the long delay before the beginning of haemolysis in the 

 isotonic alkaline buffer (pH 9-97) in the presence of a protective sub- 

 stance in comparison with the time of haemolysis in the control ex- 

 periment. 



600 



500- 



E 



400 



300 



Fig. 4. — Tlie dependence of the time of initiation of haemolysis upon the concentration 



of the substance. 

 1, cysteamine; 2, AET; 3, ascorbic acid; 4, adrenahne; .">, ncmljutal; (i. morphine; 7 

 gkicose; 8, serum proteins, 

 ('urves l-(), at lOmg/ml; 

 Curves 7 and 8, at 1 mg/ml. 



As may be seen from the shape of the curves, cysteamine, AET, 

 ascorbic acid and adrenaline have a strong effect on the surface layer 

 of the erythrocytes. With the action of these substances on a cell in 

 a protein-less solution there occurs an injury to the surface layer of 

 the erythrocyte which is revealed in the sharp reduction of the time of 

 initiation of haemolysis. Neurotropic substances — nembutal and mor- 

 2)hi no prove to have a weak effect on the stability of erythrocytes. 



