[Comparison of acid and alkaline hemolysis mechanisms in human erythrocytes]

A comparative analysis of the mechanisms of base- and acid-induced hemolysis was performed. The results obtained indicate the transport of base equivalents through the anion exchanger during the initial phase of base-induced hemolysis, followed by oxidative stress on cellular membranes and hemolysis. It was shown that the Ellman's reagent (0.4 mM) did not prevent NaOH-induced hemolysis but fully inhibited HCL-induced hemolysis. The inhibition of acid-induced hemolysis was accompanied by the crosslinking membrane proteins, presumably through their acylation. The addition of SH-reducing reagents (cystein, dithiotreitol and, to a lesser extent, albumin eliminated the crosslinkage of membrane proteins and impaired the permeability barrier. It was found that crosslinkage could not prevent the oxidative damage of membrane proteins but was able to preserve the permeability barrier. Based on these results, it was concluded that the barrier impairments associated with acid-induced hemolysis were due to the aggregation of membrane proteins that underwent oxidative damage.