title: Effects of 5-fluorouracil on erythrocytes in relation to its cardiotoxicity: membrane structure and functioning.
abstract: In the present study, we showed that the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induces in vitro exposure-time/dose-dependent changes on the level of an erythrocyte's morphology, ionic balance, and membrane fluidity. These changes are partially or fully irreversible, and we suggest that they are provoked by an irreversible depletion of ATP. Because of these changes that could also occur in vivo during 5-FU infusion, a certain amount of erythrocytes with echinocytic shape and diminished ability to deliver oxygen is present in blood for longer periods of time. This renders oxygen transport and delivery more difficult, leaving the heart with an insufficient supply of oxygen, thus leading to cardiotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spasojević
authors.forename: Vuk
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maksimović
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zakrzewska
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bacić
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D013113:Spin Labels
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D013113:Spin Labels; D011188:Potassium; D005472:Fluorouracil