EFFECT OF MERCURIC IONS ON HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES - RELATIONSHIPS BETWEENHYPOTONIC SWELLING AND CELL-AGGREGATION

This study was undertaken to verify the hypothesis that the haemolytic effect of mercuric ions on human erythrocytes is strongly decreased u nder swelling conditions (relative to isotonic suspensions). In fact, interaction of Hg2+ with swollen erythrocytes yields a rapid and coope rative cell aggregation, a phenomenon that appears to prevent penetrat ion of mercuric ions into the cells and, accordingly, to avoid any hae molytic effect induced by the Hg2+ entrance. Since in vivo erythrocyte s undergo big shape changes (swelling being a kind of shape modificati on) related to mechanical or (in some animals) osmotic stresses, the r eported observations turn out to be also of some relevance for the und erstanding of certain toxicological effects of mercuric ions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.