Condition of erythrocyte membranes in people with mental and behavioural disorders caused by alcohol consumption

Abstract

We studied the morphological features of the restructuring and osmotic stability of erythrocytes of 30 people with mental disorders and disorders of behavioural reactions caused by 5-7 years consumption of alcohol, the objects of the research being in a state of abstinence during the period of the investigation,. The study of quantitative composition of red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as their ratio in people with mental and behavioural disorders developed as a result of alcohol consumption showed a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin of 42.2% and 25.1%, respectively, indicating the presence in those people of anemic hypoxia. This is closely correlated with a decrease of osmotic resistance of red blood cells to different concentrations of sodium chloride solutions, whereby the state of erythrocyte membranes deteriorates and their resistance to hemolysis decreases. Parallel to this, is a reduction in the size of red blood cells coupled with a variety of changes in their microrelief. Conformational changes of erythrocytes are closely correlated with changes in the activity of enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of xenobiotics, primarily products of lipid peroxidation. It is shown that activity of the erythrocyte antioxidant defense system is sharply reduced as a result of increase in partially oxidized products of metabolism. It was found that the state of red blood cells is a sensitive indicator of the normal course of physiological changes, biochemical and biophysical processes in the bodies of people with mental disorders and behaviour reactions developed due to consumption of alcohol.At the same time, the measurement of the osmotic resistance of red blood cells and changes in the shape of red blood cells connected with this phenomenon is an important research method for studying mechanisms of pathological processes and the action of certain drugs or biologically active substances, expands the possibilities of establishing the depth of destruction of body tissues, and also provides excellent opportunities for researchers to identify the effectiveness of treatment and prevention for people with mental disorders and behaviour reactions caused by consumption of alcohol. This article discusses prospects of studies of the level of glutathione peroxidase activity in the erythrocytes among people with mental and behavioural disorders as a marker of highly specific homeostasis in the human body in response to long-term alcohol consumption, and considers using this index as a criterion for selecting patients for different groups of physical rehabilitation and recreation according to the level of rehabilitation potential.