title: The influence of X-rays on human erythrocytes. Primary radicals.
abstract: The effects on human erythrocytes of water-derived radicals generated by X-rays were studied under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of oxygen. Erythrocyte damage was estimated on the basis of the reduced GSH and MetHb content in the erythrocytes, the -SH group content in the membrane proteins and the amount of K(+)released from the erythrocytes. The results obtained show that the level of reduced GSH was the most sensitive indicator of erythrocyte damage by X-rays followed by the efflux of K(+). The processes of GSH oxidation took place most rapidly under air. At a dose of 100 Gy, the level of GSH fell to about 50%, whereas under argon and N(2)O to about 75% and 65%, respectively. A slight increase in the efflux of K(+)was observed in preparations irradiated under air. However, when erythrocytes were irradiated under argon and N(2)O, the loss of K(+)occurred at a dose 8-times higher. Changes in the remaining parameters occurred at considerably higher doses. On the basis of the results obtained one can say that oxygen is a factor increasing the toxicity of(.)OH radicals towards erythrocytes; however, e(-)(aq)present in the system can cause a decrease in damage to certain cellular components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonciarz-Wach
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szweda-Lewandowska
mesh_terms: D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000528:radiation effects; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008706:Methemoglobin; D005978:Glutathione; D011188:Potassium