title: Dark effect of 8-methoxypsoralen on human erythrocytes.
abstract: Furanocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) (1-100 micrograms mL-1) in the dark showed a protective affect against hypotonic haemolysis of the erythrocyte membrane. However, the effect against heat-induced haemolysis was dependent on the concentration of 8-MOP; lower concentrations of 8-MOP showed an inhibiting effect, whereas higher concentrations caused acceleration of haemolysis. 8-MOP was not able to induce haemolysis in isotonic solution at 20 or 37 degrees C. Reaction of erythrocytes with 8-MOP in the dark resulted in a shrinkage of the cells and alterations of their shapes. We conclude that modification of erythrocyte membrane by 8-MOP proceeds via reaction with membrane lipids and proteins. This indicates that the effect on the cell membrane plays an important role in the mechanism of the action of 8-MOP on the cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Marie Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gawron
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pawlikowska
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003624:Darkness; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008853:Microscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008730:Methoxsalen