ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of salidroside on the structure and function of erythrocyte membrane in rats with high altitude polycythemia (HAPC), and to provide the scientific basis for the mechanism of salidroside preventing and treating HAPC. Methods: A total of 40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, control group, HAPC model group, salidroside high-dose (200 mg/kg), medium-dose (100 mg/kg), and low-dose (50 mg/kg) groups, four female and four male rats in each group. In addition to the control group, the remaining four groups established the HAPC model. The rats in the control group and model group were ig administered with saline, and rats in salidroside group were treated with different doses of salidroside at the same time. The dosage volume was 10 mL/kg, and once a day for 40 d. After the administration, blood was collected from femoral artery of the rats. Biochemical and enzyme-linked immunoassay were used to determine the lipid fluidity of erythrocyte membrane, total cholesterol content, total phospholipids content, the content of phospholipid components including phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase and Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase on erythrocyte membrane, and the concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ in erythrocyte. Results: Salidroside can significantly improve the lipid fluidity, total phospholipids, PA, PC, PE, and PS content of erythrocyte membrane, and improve the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase and Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase of erythrocyte membrane in HAPC rats. Total cholesterol content on erythrocyte membrane, and the concentrations of sodium and calcium in erythrocyte were significantly reduced. Conclusion: These findings suggested that salidroside can improve the function of erythrocyte membrane and cell metabolic activities by regulating the lipid composition of erythrocyte membrane, thereby alleviating the symptoms associated with high altitude polycythemia.