Erythrocytes sedimentation profiles under gravitational field as determined by He-Ne laser: VIII--effect of inhomogeneous magnetic field.

Abstract

The erythrocytes sedimentation profiles (ESP's) of normal blood, with and without inhomogeneous magnetic field in a glass chamber, are determined. It is observed that the distribution pattern of the erythrocytes in the presence of a magnetic field is significantly different from that of the control sample. These changes in the sedimentation pattern are attributed to the combined effects of the gravitational field and the diamagnetic nature of the erythrocytes, which tend to accelerate or decelerate the cells while passing through the decreasing or increasing magnetic field. The application of the present technique to analyze the sedimentation behavior of the erythrocytes possessing hemoglobin of altered magnetic properties (such as in malaria), with or without altered surface charge, are outlined.