[Lipid makeup of erythrocyte membranes of varying age in body thiamine deficit in rats].

The influence of different methods of simulating B1 avitaminosis on the lipids of the erythrocytes membranes was studied. The greatest changes were found to occur in alimentary B1 avitaminosis. Then, in all the age populations of erythrocytes the cholesterol content decreases, in membranes of old and young erythrocytes the amount of cardiolipine rises, while in the mature ones the sphingomyelin level goes up. In a dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight oxythiamine forces down the cholesterol content in the "shadows" of old and mature erythrocytes and brings down the amount of lecithin in young cells. In a dose of 10 mg/100 g oxythiamine lowers the cholesterol level only in the membranes of mature erythrocytes. In these conditions the total phospholipids in the red blood cells remains unchanged.