METHANE-INDUCED HEMOLYSIS OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

Human erythrocytes were exposed to high concentrations of methane and nitrogen through the application of elevated partial pressures of thes e gas molecules. Cell leakage (haemolysis) was measured for cells expo sed to these gases under a wide range of experimental conditions. Appl ication of methane produces haemolysis at pressures far below the hydr ostatic pressures known to disrupt membrane or protein structure. The effects of changes in buffer, temperature, diffusion rate and detergen ts were studied. Methane acts co-operatively with detergents to produc e haemolysis at much lower detergent concentration than is required in the absence of methane or in the presence of nitrogen. At sufficientl y high concentrations of methane, all cells are haemolysed. Increased temperature enhances the effect. Methane produces 50% haemolysis at a concentration of about 0.33 M compared with about 7.5 M methanol requi red for the same degree of haemolysis.