[Intravital acellular hemolysis of extravascular erythrocytes. An experimental contribution to the determination of wound age].

The time-dependent acellular, destructive changes in erythrocytes was investigated in rabbits by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and subdural implantation of blood-filled diffusion chambers with 0.45 micron pores. The animals were killed at various intervals after implantation (7-24 h), and the erythrocytes in the capsules were examined by light and electron microscopy. The findings were quantified by counting 100 cells per preparation under the light microscope; changes in both matrix and membrane structure were recorded. Matrix changes and membrane variants were specified by electron microscopy. Time-dependent changes in erythrocyte matrix and membrane were established, which occurred at the various localizations in an identical sequence, but with different time intervals. The destructive changes were: an increase in loss of matrix, increase in membrane permeability, and decrease in membrane stability. The physiologic bases of and the conclusions for wound timing were discussed.