Radiation damage to human erythrocytes: Influence of the composition of medium

The erythrocyte suspensions in PBS (Na-phosphate buffered isotonic NaCl solution) or PB (Na-phosphate isotonic buffer) (hematocrit 1%) were irradiated with the dose of 400 Gy in aerobic conditions. The level of damage to cells was estimated after incubation in different media. A higher level of destruction of cells irradiated in PBS than in PB was observed. The same level of MetHb and lipid peroxidation determined right after irradiation was detected. However, the loss of reduced glutathione was higher in PB than in PBS. We discussed the contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in the initiation of erythrocyte damage.     

Influence of cysteamine on the protection and repair of radiation-induced damage to DNA

Studies of the influence of cysteamine on damage to DNA by ionising radiation, using two methods of examination: EPR and gel-electrophoresis under air and oxygen-free conditions, and at cryogenic and ambient temperatures, enabled us to draw some conclusions as to the most probable reaction pathways in the complicated system of DNA/thiol/oxygen. The DNA-peroxyl radicals formed in the presence of oxygen seem to be effectively deactivated by cysteamine as they were not detected by EPR at higher thiol concentration. The peroxyl radicals, if formed, increase double strand breaks of DNA. The competitive reactions of oxygen/DNA and oxygen/thiol, and their non-linear dependence on the thiol concentration, observed previously, are confirmed by the results of electrophoresis.     

Radiation damage to human erythrocytes. Relative contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in N2O-saturated buffers

The erythrocyte suspensions in Na-phosphate buffered isotonic NaCl solution (PBS) or Na-phosphate isotonic buffer (PB) (hematocrit 1%) were irradiated with the dose of 400 Gy under N₂O. Erythrocytes were incubated in the medium in which the cells were irradiated or in fresh PBS. The level of damage to cells was estimated on the basis of the course of post-radiation hemolysis and hemoglobin (Hb) oxidation. The medium in which the cells were irradiated and incubated influenced the course of the post-radiation hemolysis and Hb oxidation as well as some other parameters. We discussed the contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in the initiation of erythrocyte damage and oxygen modification of these processes.     

Lactate biosensor based on human erythrocytes

An amperometric lactate biosensor based on human erythrocytes is described. The erythrocyte suspension is retained near the platinum electrode by means of a semipermeable membrane. The response is based on lactate dehydrogenase activity in the erythrocytes and uses the oxidation of NADH by hexacyanoferrate(III) and amperometric detection of the resulting hexacyanoferrate(II). The limit of detection is 2.8 × 10^?5 mol l^?1, and the response is linear up to 1 mmol l^?1 lactate in the analyzed solution (11 mmol l^?1 in a blood sample). The response time is 7 min, and the useful lifetime is 2 weeks. The response is influenced only by reducing substances (uric acid) and malic acid. The effect of uric acid is readily compensated, and there is insufficient malic acid in blood to affect the results.     

Hypochlorous acid-induced oxidative damage of human red blood cells: effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and nitrite on the HOCl reaction with erythrocytes

Hypochlorous acid, one of the most powerful biological oxidants, is believed to be important in the pathogenesis of some diseases. The purpose of this study was to further characterise the membrane and intracellular events which resulted in HOCl-induced oxidative impairments and haemolysis of human erythrocytes and interaction of different oxidative agents, which accumulated during respiratory burst, in the process of RBS oxidation. The sequence of cellular events after red blood cell exposure to HOCl: cell morphological transformations, oxidation of cellular constituents, enzyme modifications, and haemolysis have been evaluated. It was shown that HOCl-treated cells underwent colloid-osmotic haemolysis, preceded by rapid morphological transformations and membrane structural transitions. The activation energy of the process of haemolysis (after removal of the excess of oxidative agent) was estimated to be 146+/-22 kJ/mol at temperatures above the break point of Arrhenius plot (31-32 degrees C). This value corresponds to the activation energy of the process of protein denaturation. Modification of erythrocytes by HOCl inhibited membrane acetylcholinesterase (uncompetitive type of inhibition), depleted intracellular glutathione, activated intracellular glutathione peroxidase, but did not induce membrane lipid peroxidation. The presence of other oxidants, nitrite or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), promoted the oxidative damage induced by HOCl and led to new oxidative reactions.     

Modelling radiation-induced damage in the lac operator –lac repressor complex. DNA damage: 8-oxoguanine

 Among the DNA lesions induced by ionising radiation, one of the most abundant base modifications is that of guanine (G) into 8-oxo-7-hydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (oxoG). The Escherichia coli lac operator–lac repressor complex bearing one or several oxoG was studied by molecular modelling. The initial structure of the complex was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (1CJG entry – model 1). Systematic replacements of G by oxoG were carried out. Modelling involved energy-minimisation and simulated-annealing techniques using the Amber force field. Depending on its location along the DNA sequence, oxoG induces modifications of the energetic characteristics of the complex, the electrostatic potential distribution on the surfaces of the DNA and of the protein, the DNA and protein conformations and DNA and protein flexibility. In the case of the replacement of G by oxoG at position 8 of the fragment, the most noticeable effects are a 13% decrease in the interaction energy and a 14% reduction in the number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, all other effects being much weaker. Therefore, we may conclude that the presence of one or several such base modifications is insufficient to account, alone, for the experimental observation of the radiation-induced decrease of lac operator–lac repressor binding extent. Received: 20 July 2000 / Accepted: 5 January 2001 / Published online: 3 April 2001     

Modelling the internal field distribution in human erythrocytes exposed to MW radiation

This paper studies the internal electric field distribution in human erythrocytes exposed to MW radiation. For this purpose, an erythrocyte cell model is exposed to linearly polarized electromagnetic (EM) plane waves of frequency 900 MHz and the electric field within the cell is calculated by using a finite element (FE) technique with adaptive meshing. The results obtained show the dependence of the induced electric field distribution on the main modelling parameters, i.e., the electrical properties (permittivity and conductivity) of the membrane and cytoplasm and the orientation of the cell with respect to the applied field. It is found that for certain orientations, the field amplification within the membrane of the erythrocyte shape cell can be higher than the one observed in an equivalent simple spheroidal geometry cell, commonly used in bioelectromagnetism. The present work shows that a better insight of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with basic biological structures is obtained when the most possible realistic cell shape is used.     

Interaction of liposomes with human erythrocytes

Interaction of liposomes (phospholipid vesicles) with human erythrocytes was studied by means of a spectroscopic method. Transfer of hemoglobin between liposomes and erythrocytes was observed. This transfer was mediated by a migration of band 3 proteins. In this case, a transfer of band 4.5 also was observed by means of electrophoresis. An interaction of lipid monomers from the liposomes with the erythrocyte membranes seemed to be closely correlated to the transfer of these proteins. It was presumed that this interaction induced some changes in the molecular organization of the cell membranes around band 3, resulting in release of the proteins from the erythrocyte membranes.     

Protective role of tea catechins on erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress during human aging

Antioxidant effect of tea catechins has been shown in many epidemiological studies. In the present study we report the protective mechanism of tea catechins (EGCG, ECG, EGC, EC) on various oxidative stress parameters, which are elevated during aging in humans. We hereby report the in vitro effect of tea catechins on erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and on membrane sulphydryl (-SH) group in humans. Results show an age-dependent increase in erythrocyte MDA level and a decrease in GSH and membrane-SH group concentration. We report that tea catechins show significant protection to erythrocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). The effect was more pronounced in older age group compared to lower age group. The findings suggest a possible role of tea catechins as anti-aging compounds.     

The effect of solvents on the radiation-induced polymerization of ethyl and isopropyl vinyl ethers

The radiation-induced cationic polymerization of ethyl and isopropyl vinyl ethers was studied in a variety of solvents. The propagation rate constants were estimated and found to vary widely with the nature of the solvent. In particular, a good linear relationship existed between the logarithms of the rate constants and the reciprocal of the dielectric constants. The lowest rates were those of the highest dielectric constant solvents. These results have been interpreted in terms of the Laidler and Eyring theory of ion-molecule reactions. Isopropyl vinyl ether polymerizes much faster than ethyl vinvl ether, although the rates approach the same value at infinite dielectric constant. In contrast, “free” carbenium ion polymerizations initiated by stable carbenium ion salts in methylene chloride solution had similar values for both monomers. A comparison is made between the rate constants obtained with both methods of initiation.     

DNA damage induced by organotins on ­trout‐nucleated erythrocytes

The effect of tributyltin‐chloride (TBTC), dibutyltin‐chloride (DBTC) and monobutyltin‐chloride (MBTC) on rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) nuclear DNA, was investigated by means of single cell gel electrophoresis (‘comet’ assay). Our data show that TBTC presents a marked genotoxic effect, whereas the genotoxic effect is less pronounced for DBTC and it is completely absent for MBTC. These results could be important in evaluating the environmental risks deriving from the use of these molecules as a antifouling agents in marine paints and as agricultural biocides. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abbreviations:

TBTC,

tributyltin‐chloride;

DBTC,

dibutyltin‐chloride;

MBTC,

monobutyltin‐chloride;

Hb,

hemoglobin.

     

Induction of transient radioresistance in human erythrocytes

Human erythrocytes suspended in an isotonic Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 (hematocrit of 2%), were irradiated with γ-rays with single and split doses under air or N₂O in order to determine the physicochemical changes caused by the dose inducing an increase in resistance to radiation-induced hemolysis.The obtained results showed that under the applied irradiation conditions, the dose of 0.4 kGy induced changes in erythrocytes, which were responsible for temporary resistance of erythrocytes to hemolysis. We concluded that the observed resistance is caused mainly by the structural changes in proteins.