Effect of Rat Exposure to Moderate Pressure Oxygen Atmosphere on Resistance of Erythrocytes against Hemolysis

Exposure of male Wistar rats to oxygen atmosphere at moderate pressure (1.10-1.15 atm) for 4 h resulted in significant, transient, and reversible decrease in hemolytic resistance of peripheral blood erythrocytes. In 2 days after oxygen exposure, the bone marrow released young erythrocytes with enhanced hemolytic resistance as a compensation for oxygen injury. These findings suggest that normobaric oxygen load can be viewed as a stress factor of moderate intensity.