OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO THE ERYTHROCYTE INDUCED BY SODIUM-CHLORITE, INVITRO

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (6) , 1501-1510
Abstract
The ability of sodium chlorite [chlorite the major species in water disinfected with chlorine dioxide as it is consumed] to react with constituents of the erythrocyte [rat or human], in vitro, was examined and compared to that of nitrite. The oxidative damage resulting from chlorite is fundamentally different from that of nitrite. Nitrite is slightly more potent as a Hb oxidant, while chlorite appears to be less specific in its oxidation of cellular constituents. Unlike nitrite, chlorite depleted erythrocyte glutathione, which was accompanied by an increase in hydrogen peroxide generation. Chlorite also produced substantial changes in erythrocyte membrane morphology. These effects of chlorite are characteristic of compounds that produce oxidant-induced hemolytic anemia in vivo.