Dielectric response of biconcave erythrocyte membranes to D- and L-glucose

In this paper, we report on the influence of D- and L-glucose on the dielectric properties of native shaped ( biconcave) human erythrocytes using time domain dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric spectra of biconcave cells were analysed using a modified form of the model originally reported for spheroid particle suspensions (Asami and Yonezawa 1995 Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1245 317-24) The observed increase in the specific membrane capacitance of the biconcave erythrocytes was correlated with an increase in the concentration of D-glucose. In contrast, no associated correlation was found to changes in the membrane capacitance with increasing concentrations of L-glucose. A similar analysis of the dielectric response of osmotically swollen erythrocytes to changes in D-glucose concentration revealed a significantly different calculated specific cell membrane capacitance at elevated (> 12 mM) D-glucose concentrations. The paper outlines and discusses the possible biochemical mechanisms that could be responsible for the measured dielectric properties of the erythrocyte membrane capacitances.