OXIDATION OF ERYTHROCYTE PROTEIN AND LIPID, AND HEMOLYSIS IN RABBIT RED-BLOOD-CELLS TREATED WITH BENZO[A]PYRENE OR ADRIAMYCIN

A number of free-radical-generating carcinogens catalyze the oxidative modification of macromolecules. Malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl conte nt, alanine formation, and hemolysis were used as biomarkers of oxidat ive stress, and were determined in rabbit erythrocytes created in vitr o with benzo[a]pyrene or adriamycin. MDA and carbonyl content were sig nificantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner by carcinogen s. Alanine formation was also increased in a concentration-dependent m anner in rabbit erythrocytes treated with carcinogens. Hemolysis occur red in erythrocytes treated with benzo[a]pyrene (540 mu M) or adriamyc in (300 mu M) between 4 and 8 h of incubation, respectively. The hemol ysis pattern correlated with increases in MDA, carbonyl content, and a lanine formation. These data indicate that lipid peroxidation as measu red by MDA may be the most sensitive indicator for oxidative stress in erythrocytes. Hemolysis could thus be applicable to free-radical-indu ced cellular damage as an alternative biomarker of oxidative stress.