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Sodium nitrite enhances generation of reactive oxygen species that decrease antioxidant power and inhibit plasma membrane redox system of human erythrocytes
Author(s) -
Ansari Fariheen Aisha,
Mahmood Riaz
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1002/cbin.10628
Subject(s) - reactive oxygen species , antioxidant , chemistry , redox , sodium nitrite , nitrite , oxygen , membrane , biochemistry , biophysics , inorganic chemistry , biology , food science , organic chemistry , nitrate
Nitrite/nitrate salts are used in fertilizers and as food preservatives. Human exposure to high levels of nitrite results in its uptake and subsequent entry into blood where it can interact with erythrocytes. We show that treatment of human erythrocytes with sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ) results in a dose‐dependent increase in the production of reactive oxygen species. This was accompanied by a decrease in the antioxidant power which lowered the free radical quenching and metal‐reducing ability. NaNO 2 treatment also inhibited plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) of erythrocytes. These changes increase the susceptibility of erythrocytes to oxidative damage, decrease the antioxidant power of whole blood, and can be a major cause of nitrite‐induced cellular toxicity.