Effect of Free Radical Generating System- Adenosine Triphosphate/Ferrous Sulphate/Hydrogen Peroxide on Human Erythrocytes

Abstract

Erythrocytes constitute the major cell fraction of blood in the body continuously exposed to oxygen in vivo and hence liable to undergo oxidative damage like lipid oxidation and protein denaturation thereby affecting their function. The aim of the present work is to create an analogous oxidative environment for human erythrocytes in vitro using free radical generating system- ATP/FeSO₄/H₂O₂ and to study its effect on their properties. It has been found that erythrocytes undergo hemolysis during exposure to oxidative stress at the same time cells become resistant to osmotic fragility after treatment. The membranes isolated from treated cells show additional bands corresponding to cytosolic proteins on electrophoretic gel. Decreased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were observed in the cells exposed to ATP/FeSO₄/H₂O₂. It is concluded that excessive oxidative environment results in alterations of the cellular systems.