Influence of osmolarity on the optical properties of human erythrocytes

Plasma osmolarity influences the volume and shape of red blood cells (RBCs). The volume change is inversely related to the hemoglobin concentration and as a consequence to the complex refractive index within the cell. These morphological changes can be linked to changes in the optical behavior of the cells. The optical parameters, absorption coefficient µa, scattering coefficient µs, and effective scattering phase function of red blood cells are investigated in dependence on osmolarity in the spectral range from 250 to 1100 nm. Integrating sphere measurements of light transmittance and reflectance in combination with inverse Monte-Carlo simulations are carried out for osmolarities from 225 to 400 mosmol/L. Osmolarity changes have a significant influence on the optical parameters, which can in part be explained by changes in the complex refractive index, cell shape, and cell volume. Spherical forms of RBCs induced by low osmolarity show reduced scattering effects compared to the normal RBC biconcave disk shape. Spinocytes, which are crenated erythrocytes induced by high osmolarity, show the highest scattering effects. Even only a 10% change in osmolarity has a drastic influence on the optical parameters, which appears to be of the same order as for 10% hematocrit and oxygen saturation changes.