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The Effect of Bilirubin on the Mammalian Erythrocyte
Author(s) -
Cheung Wan Ho,
Sawitsky Arthur,
Isenberg Henry D.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.1966.tb04761.x
Subject(s) - hemolysis , bilirubin , red cell , chemistry , intracellular , biochemistry , red blood cell , sodium , population , albumin , hemoglobin , cell membrane , cell , biophysics , biology , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , environmental health , organic chemistry
The in vitro behavior of human red cells exposed to varying concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin was studied. The addition of bilirubin to red cells in final concentrations in excess of 20 mg per cent produced a disruption of the cation gradients across the cell membrane with a loss of cellular K + , inhibition of cellular utilization of glucose, release of inorganic phosphate from the cell, spicule formation of the red cell membrane followed by spherocytosis and hemolysis and decreased intracellular ATP. The addition of albumin to the experimental bilirubin red cell mixture reversed these effects except for a minor cell population that went on to hemolysis. Saponin and sodium lauryl sulfate, in sublytic concentrations, produced loss of inorganic phosphate from the red cell followed by gradual disruption of the membrane cation equilibrium, and a slow loss of K + from the cell. There was minimal impairment of glucose consumption. Spicule formation of the red cell membrane was observed, but there was no significant change in intracellular ATP concentration. The addition of bilirubin to cells treated with saponin or sodium lauryl sulfate produced independent partially additive toxic effects. Unconjugated sodium bilirubinate has a direct toxicity on erythrocyte functional integrity and, in high concentrations, is hemolytic.