Chromate-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidation and peroxidation: influence of vitamin E, vitamin C, salicylate, deferoxamine, and N-ethylmaleimide

In order to attenuate or to prevent chromate-induced human erythrocytes inj ury, the influence of Vitamin E, vitamin C, salicylate, deferoxamine, and N -ethylmaleimide on chromate-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidatio n and peroxidation were investigated. It was observed that pretreatment of human erythrocytes with vitamin E (20 mu M), vitamin C (1 mM), salicylate ( 3 mM), and deferoxamine (4 mM) significantly increased (P = 0.0001) chromat e-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidation in a time dependent mann er, while it was significantly decreased (P = 0.0001) by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM). In contrast, pretreatment of human erythrocytes wi th deferoxamine (4 mM) immediately inhibited (P = 0.0001) chromate-induced human erythrocytes peroxidation, while it was significantly increased (P = 0.0001) by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM) during the first 4 h o f cells exposition to chromate. For time periods superior to 6 h pretreatme nt with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM) significantly decreased (P = 0.0001) chroma te-induced human erythrocytes peroxidation. It was concluded that care must be taken as these drugs are used to prevent against toxicity induced by ch romium(VI) compounds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights res erved.