Quantitative Evaluation of Nicotine Effects on Erythrocyte Diffusion Rates in a Controlled Membrane Diffusion Model

Blood is a specialized connective tissue which primarily facilitates the transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and waste products between tissues and organs (1). The formed elements of blood, constitutes 40–45% of its total volume, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. RBCs are the most abundant, with an average count of 4–6 million cells per cubic millimeter in healthy adults, and serve as principal mediators of oxygen transport via hemoglobin (2). They have a unique structure, biconcave shape, devoid of nuclei, optimizing the surface area for gas exchange (3). The RBC membrane’s composition is crucial for its function, consisting of a lipid bilayer rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), cholesterol, and a network of membrane-associated proteins that confer mechanical stability and elasticity (4,5). The abundance of PUFAs, while enhancing membrane fluidity, also predisposes the membrane to oxidative damage, especially via lipid peroxidation (6,7).