A change in erythrocyte membrane permeability in rodents under the influence of fish oil, vitamin E and fatty acids]

In experiments on 370 gerbils (Meriones tamariscinus) and 56 albino rats, studies have been made on the effects of vitamin E, rancid cod-liver oil and unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, oxidated oleic and linoleic) upon the permeability of erythrocyte membrane. Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes to hypotonic NaCl solutions was measured. Seasonal changes in the permeability and sexual differences in these changes were observed. In M. tamariscinus the addition of vitamin E, cod-liver oil and unsaturated fatty acids to the food results in changes of erythrocyte permeability. The pattern of these changes depends on the season of year, differences in nutrition, as well as on fat and tocophenol stores in the organism, which are different in males and females. In albino rats, changes of erythrocyte permeability induced by vitamin E and cod-liver oil are rather insignificant.