[Modification of redox properties of cells by ortho-benzoquinones]

Ortho-benzoquinones have been studied for their effect on the processes of methemoglobin formation in the rabbit erythrocytes and reduction of potassium ferricyanide by the HeLa cells. It is established that the incubation of cells in the presence of lipophilic quinone OBQ-1 results in the formation of the intracellular methemoglobin in erythrocytes and the intensification of the ferricyanide reduction by HeLa cells. OBQ-2 differing in the presence of the polar sulphogroup does not react with the intracellular oxyhemoglobin and exerts no effect on the ferricyanide reduction. It is supposed that OBQ-1 may change the ratio of the oxidized and reduced metabolites in a cell, thus inducing in it a state of the oxidative stress. A conclusion is drawn hat ortho-benzoquinones are able to modify the redox properties of cells, the efficiency of modification depending on the chemical structure of the compounds.