The photodynamic action of riboflavin is generally considered to involve the generation of reactive oxygen species, whose production is enhanced when Cu(II) is present in the reaction. In the present study we report that photoactivated riboflavin causes K⁺ loss from fresh human red blood cells (RBC) in a time dependent manner. Addition of Cu(II) further enhances the K⁺ loss and also leads to significant hemolysis. Riboflavin in a 2:1 stoichiometry with Cu(II) leads to maximum K⁺ loss and up to 45% hemolysis. Bathocuproine, a specific Cu(I)-sequestering agent, when present in the reaction, inhibits the hemolysis completely. Free radical scavengers like superoxide dismutase, potassium iodide and mannitol inhibited the hemolysis up to 55% or more. However, thiourea was the most effective scavenger showing 90% inhibition. These results suggest that K⁺ leakage and hemolysis of human RBC are basically free radical mediated reactions.

العنوان

Biochim Biophys Acta

الناشر

Elsevier

بلد الناشر

الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

معامل التأثير

3,6

نوع المنشور

Both (Printed and Online)

المجلد

1523

السنة

2000

الصفحات

225-229