Erythrocyte hemolysis by detergents

The numbers of Triton X-100 and sodium dodecyl sulfate molecules required to form respective pores were estimated from the relationship between the detergent concentrations and the rates of fast and slow hemolysis components. It has been found that the slow hemolysis component evoked by Triton X-100 is related to the existence of two different pores. It is shown that the fast hemolysis component induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate is associated with the modification of phosphatidylcholine which determines the break in the Arrhenius plots of the hemolysis rate within the range of 20 degrees C. The shape of hemolysis kinetic curves and the dependence of hemolytic parameters on the detergent concentration and temperature are discussed based on the concept of hemolysis caused by the formation of pores in various membrane lipid regions and by releasing vesicles from erythrocytes.