Biochemical Effects of X-Irradiation on Erythrocytes

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Abstract
The degree of hemolysis in irradiated erythrocyte suspensions after incubation was found to depend on the concentration of cells and on the composition of the extracellular fluid during X-irradiation. Potassium loss from the irradiated cells during incubation at 4[degree]C was not affected by these factors and seemed to depend primarily on radiation damage inside the erythrocyte. Radiation doses which eventually result in hemolysis caused an immediate loss of intracellular glutathione and of membrane antioxidants together with peroxidation of membrane lipids. Glutathione levels were rapidly restored to normal, but lipid peroxidation and hemolysis increased during subsequent incubation of the irradiated cells, particularly at 37[degree]C. The damage causing potassium loss was also repaired when the irradiated cells were incubated at 37[degree]C. Elimination of most of the erythrocyte sulfhydryl groups by reaction with N-ethylmaleimide produced a 3-fold increase in the sensitivity of the cells to subsequent irradiation.