Dielectric Response of Cytoplasmic Water and Its Connection to the Vitality of Human Red Blood Cells: I. Glucose Concentration Influence

J Phys Chem B. 2016 Oct 6;120(39):10214-10220. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b06996. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

Abstract

The vitality of red blood cells depends on the process control of glucose homeostasis, including the membrane's ability to "switch off" d-glucose uptake at the physiologically specific concentration of 10-12 mM. We present a comprehensive study of human erythrocytes suspended in buffer solutions with varying concentrations of d-glucose at room temperature, using microwave dielectric spectroscopy (0.5 GHz-50 GHz) and cell deformability characterization (the Elongation ratio). By use of mixture formulas the contribution of the cytoplasm to the dielectric spectra was isolated. It reveals a strong dependence on the concentration of buffer d-glucose. Tellingly, the concentration 10-12 mM is revealed as a critical point in the behavior. The dielectric response of cytoplasm depends on dipole-matrix interactions between water structures and moieties, like ATP, produced during glycolysis. Subsequently, it is a marker of cellular health. One would hope that this mechanism could provide a new vista on noninvasive glucose monitoring.

MeSH terms

  • Cytoplasm / chemistry*
  • Dielectric Spectroscopy
  • Erythrocytes / chemistry*
  • Glucose / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Water
  • Glucose