Atomic force microscopy of erythrocytes of patients with different severity of pancreatitis

Aim of the study was to prove the possibility of using red blood cell probe microscopy as a predictor of the development of pancreonecrosis.Material and methods. Atomic force microscopy was performed in 143 people (82 were male and 61 were female). The study was performed on an Integra Aura probe microscope (ZAO NT-MDT, Russia). Each erythrocyte was scanned for cell membrane and cell as a whole. A total of 940 red blood cells were examined. According to the severity of acute pancreatitis, patients are distributed in three groups. As a control group, 37 people without somatic pathology were examined. Diagnosis and treatment of patients was carried out in the public health institution “Design Bureau” Russian Railways-Medicine “Krasnoyarsk” from 2015–2019.Results. The study showed that the shape of erythrocyte does not depend on the severity of pancreatitis and does not change, however, structural changes of the membrane occur in the form of the formation of multiple erosions on its surface. The membrane is deformed, and its adhesion increases. These changes reduce the transport capacity of the blood, which, in our opinion, leads to an increase in the general intoxication of the body and to a deterioration in the condition of the patient.Conclusions. Apparently, pancreatic enzymes entering the free bloodstream in the first phase of pancreatitis cause not only oxidative stress, but also the reorganization and destruction of the erythrocyte membrane. The increase in membrane rigidity and deformation of the erythrocyte surface cytoskeleton against the background of increased adhesion seems to disrupt the gas transmission function of erythrocyte and microrheological properties of blood, which in turn disrupts the exchange of amino acids, lipids and detoxification capabilities of blood. The appearance of erythrocytes in the free bloodstream with the presence of erosion on the surface of the erythrocyte membrane can serve as a prediction of a non-favorable course of acute pancreatitis and a predictor of a possible transition of edema pancreatitis to pancreonecrosis.