The effect of splenectomy and dietary protein on erythrocyte survival and fragility in rats.

Abstract

Studies were made on the effects of splenectomy on the red cells of rats receiving various dietary levels of protein. Anemia was pronounced and the survival time of red cells (T/2 Rbc) was reduced in rats on a protein-free diet as compared with rats on standard and low protein diets. The spleen appeared to be relatively hypofunctional in rats on low protein diets since (a) splenectomy had the least effect on increasing T/2 Rbc in rats on low protein diet and largest effect on survival of Rbc's in rats on a normal diet; (b) splenectomy had the least effect on osmotic fragility of red cells in rats on low protein diet and the most effect was shown on osmotic fragility of rats on normal diet; (c) the weight of the spleen was least in rats on a low protein diet in comparison with the other two groups. The red cells of normal rats on a protein-free diet were most sensitive to lytic effect with lysolecithin, and Rbc's from splenectomized rats were more resistant to osmotic lysis than Rbc's from intact rats. The decrease in the T/2 Rbc and the sensitivity to a hemolytic agent (lysolecithin) of cells of rats on low protein or protein-free diet observed in this study may be related to the mechanism of anemia during inadequate protein nutrition.