The effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) on the functions of human erythrocyte membranes.

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Abstract
The effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (Kanechlor-400 [KC-400]) on the functions of human erythrocyte membranes were studied. KC-400 inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity (maximal inhibition : 72%), while nonchlorinated biphenyl failed to inhibit Ca2+-ATPase activity. The inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase activity by KC-400 was due to a change in maximal rate (Vmax) but not to a change in affinity (Km) for Ca2+ or ATP. KC-400 and biphenyl protected erythrocytes against hypotonic hemolysis but KC-400 was a more potent stabilizer of the membrane (by at least 1 order of magnitude) than biphenyl. KC-400 and biphenyl caused similar shape alterations in erythrocytes. These compounds induced shape changes from normal discocytes to invaginated cells and finally to spherocytes. Concentrations required to produce shape alterations were 1 order of magnitude lower for KC-400 than for biphenyl. KC-400 penetrated into the interior of the membrane and perturbed its structure and function. Chlorination of the aromatic rings increased the inhibitory action on Ca2+-ATPase activity and the antihemolytic and shape changing actions.

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