Oh. Berg et al., Benzalkonium chloride interferes with energy production, secretion and morphology in human blood platelets, PLATELETS, 10(2-3), 1999, pp. 97-104
Benzalkonium chloride (BC) is a bactericidal compound used as a topical ant
iseptic and as a preservative in various products for local treatment, e.g.
, eye and nose drops. BC is toxic to human cells, including those of the re
spiratory mucosa, Few studies have, however, focused on what cellular funct
ions BC interferes with. The effects of BC were studied on washed human blo
od platelets in vitro, Cellular energy production as well as secretion were
studied. Incubation of platelets with BC resulted in rapid swelling and to
xic morphological changes. After incubation with BC oxidation of [1-C-14] p
almitate was inhibited, and both lactate dehydrogenase and endogenous serot
onin were spontaneously released. Thrombin-induced secretion of serotonin w
as strongly reduced after BC exposure. Histological changes with increased
size, spherical form, decreased numbers of pseudopodia, loss of an intact c
ontinuous tubulus system and reduced number of granules were found by scann
ing and transmission electron microscopy, It is concluded that the toxic ef
fects of BC are because of interference with membrane function and energy p
roduction.