The hemolytic effect of copper complexes with different ligands

The effect of Cu(II) and Cu(II) complexes/Cu(II)(cimetidine)2 Cu(II)(glycine) and Cu(II)(glycine)2/on the rat and human erythrocytes was studied. Time- and dose-dependence of the Cu(II) complexes-induced hemolysis, oxidation of hemoglobin and formation of precipitates of denaturated hemoglobin were established. The hemolytic effect of Cu(II)complexes was abolished by strong complexons of Cu(II) and by physiological concentrations of albumin and histidine. The hemolysis greatly decreased in the presence of chelator of Cu(I) and superoxide dismutase, which suggested oxi-reduction transitions and participation of superoxide in the process. The results are considered with the view to clarifying the differences in the stability and reaction ability of the different complexes, the possibility of their parenteral application.