The Effect of Fatal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on the Equilibria Between Cell Membranes and the Electrolyte Solution

Abstract

The effect of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning on equilibria between cell membranes and surrounding ions was described using a theoretical four-equilibria model. The model was developed to obtain parameters characterizing the interactions between solution ions and erythrocyte or thrombocyte membrane surface. The parameters are the total surface concentrations of both acidic and basic groups CA, CB and their association constants with solution ions KAH, KBOH. These parameters were used to calculate the theoretical values of surface charge density. The model was validated by comparison of these values to experimental data, which were determined from the electrophoretic mobility measurements of the blood cells. The experimental and theoretical surface charge density values agree at pH 2–8, and at higher pH, the deviation was observed.