Abstract
Erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte membrane stability are dependent on the erythrocyte cytoskeleton and its relationship with the contents of the cell. Certain internal occurrences such as oxidation of sulphydryl groups on the membrane cytoskeleton or the haemoglobin molecule could alter this relationship and as a consequence, alter the membrane properties and the shape of the cell. It is thus conceivable that in conditions where there is a potential increase in the generation of free radicals, erythrocyte shape could be altered. We investigated the possibility that predictable shape changes occur in erythrocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition associated with free radical damage. We also investigated this possibility in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and whether any such change could be correlated with those seen in RA. Patients with CFS could be divided into two groups based on their erythrocyte morphology. Patients in one of these groups had increased numbers of stomatocytes. Patients with RA had increased numbers of leptocytes.