The impact of high-frequency continuous-wave ultrasound on the fluidity of human erythrocyte membranes

Iwona Pyszczek, Małgorzata Łukowicz, Marta Cychner, Jolanta Kujawa, Jan Talar

Iwona Pyszczek, Małgorzata Łukowicz, Marta Cychner, Jolanta Kujawa, Jan Talar – The impact of high-frequency continuous-wave ultrasound on the fluidity of human erythrocyte membranes. Fizjoterapia Polska 2003; 3(2); 175-179

Abstract
Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high-frequency continuous-wave ultrasound (1 MHz) on the fluidity of the lipid bilayer in human erythrocytes. Material and methods. Red blood cell suspensions in PBS (obtained from healthy donors) were irradiated at 37°C for 10 min with 1 MHz continuous-wave ultrasound, using a range of intensities equivalent to those employed by the ultrasonic devices used in physicotherapy (0.2-1.0 W/cm2). The fluidity of the lipid bilayer in human erythrocyte membranes was measured using a new method: spectrofluorimetry. Results. Our results indicate that sonication with ultrasonic intensity > 0.7 W/cm2 induced a slight decrease in the fluidity of the lipid bilayer in human erythrocytes. Conclusions. The reported results suggest that high-frequency continuous-wave ultrasound has a biomodulating impact on human erythrocytes, especially at the membrane level.

Key words:
ultrasounds, human erythrocytes, lipid bilayer fluidity

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