Membrane solubilization in erythrocytes as a measure of radiation exposure to fast neutrons.

Membrane solubilization and osmotic fragility of rat erythrocytes irradiated in vivo with fast neutron fluences ranging from 10(6) to 5 x 10(7) n cm(-2) using a 252Cf source were measured instantaneously using a light scattering technique. The solubilization of erythrocyte membrane by a non-ionic detergent, octylglucoside (OG), was found to exhibit a two stage transition from vesicular form to mixed micellar form in the range of detergent concentrations 1.5-7.8 mM. The coexistence phase, vesicular/mixed micellar, was shifted towards higher detergent concentrations with increase in the neutron fluence, indicating increasing membrane resistance to the detergent and hence change in the natural membrane permeation properties. The technique shows an adequate sensitivity in detecting membrane damage in erythrocytes and has potential as a biophysical marker of radiation exposure. The osmotic fragility of irradiated erythrocytes shows a decreasing trend with increasing irradiation fluence measured directly and two weeks post-irradiation. Blood films photographed two weeks post-irradiation show developed elliptocytosis and crenated cell anaemia.