title: Chrysotile asbestos-induced membrane damage in human erythrocytes.
abstract: Chrysotile asbestos causes the release of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes. At short incubation times K+ release is slightly higher than hemoglobin release but for incubation times of 10 min or longer the percentage K+ release, and the percentage hemolysis are the same. The results suggest that asbestos causes a sudden and complete disruption of the membrane permeability for K+, which is probably followed by colloid osmotic hemolysis. Polyanions inhibit asbestos-induced hemolysis completely. Leaching of asbestos diminishes its hemolytic potency, as does a decrease in pH. The results support the view that positive charges, probably of magnesium, play a predominant role in asbestos-induced hemolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Elferink
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kelters
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D001194:Asbestos; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D009439:Neuraminidase; D011188:Potassium