title: A moderate protective effect of quercetin against γ-irradiation- and storage-induced oxidative damage in red blood cells for transfusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the extent of γ-irradiation-induced oxidative membrane damage and antioxidant activity of quercetin in long-term, cold stored (4°C) acid-citrate-dextrose- preserved human red blood cells (RBC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The extracellular activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured to assess RBC membrane integrity. Lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were quantified by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and Ellman's reagent, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During storage of non-irradiated RBC (up 21 days) the LDH activity in the supernatant increased with time. In contrast to a low dose of ionizing radiation (30 Gy), irradiation at higher, but still clinically relevant doses, of 40-50 Gy resulted in elevation of the post-storage extracellular LDH activity. Quercetin (2-50 μM) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) significantly increased the LDH release in the irradiated and non-irradiated RBC, reflecting an increase of RBC membrane permeability. In the presence of ethanol as a solvent quercetin protected RBC against storage-induced oxidative damage - it inhibited the LDH release, GSH depletion, and lipid peroxidation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of protection offered by quercetin against the radiation- and storage-induced oxidative damage to RBC does not seem to be sufficient to warrant its application as an additive for conservation purposes. The findings indicate that the solvent can modulate a response of RBC to water-insoluble antioxidants changing their properties from anti-oxidative to pro-oxidative.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors.forename: Halina Malgorzata
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Zbikowska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antosik
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szejk
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bijak
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D009996:Osmotic Fragility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D011794:Quercetin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Red blood cell; oxidative damage; quercetin; transfusion; γ-irradiation/storage