Effects of ultraviolet radiation on aggregation of human erythrocytes

Aggregation of erythrocytes induced by Alcian blue is increased under small UV-irradiation doses. Rouleaux formation in dextran solution remained unchanged. Under UV-irradiation blood plasma acquires a greater ability to induce rouleaux formation of native cells. This is, apparently, due to protein aggregates formed in plasma. Erythrocytes irradiated by high dose lose the aggregation ability in the presence of Alcian blue. The effect is enhanced postirradiation, its base is peroxidation of membrane lipids. (orig.)