Formation of domain structure of erythrocyte membrane in Wistar rat fed with CeCl3 per os

To explore the possibility of absorption of lanthanides via digestive duct and their effects on the membrane structure and permeability of erythrocytes, the fine structure of erythrocyte membrane from Wistar rats, fed for 70 days of daily administrationper os with 20 mg CeCl₃/kg weight, was imaged by means of atomic force microscopy and FT-IR deconvolution spectra. The results show that, although the erythrocytes maintain the intact shape, the change of secondary structure, aggregation and crosslinking of the protein particles of membrane surface and the enlarged lipid regions lead to the domain structure formation. This structure might be responsible for the increasing permeability of erythrocyte membrane.