LYSIS OF ERYTHROCYTES BY LONG-CHAIN ACYL ESTERS OF CARNITINE

1. 1. Lysis of rat and human erythrocytes by synthetic fatty acyl esters of dl-carnitine and choline was compared to hemolysis by synthetic lysolecithin. 2. 2. Stearoyl carnitine was the most effective lysin, whereas I-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl choline and palmitoyl carnitine were more potent than either the shorter-chain acyl esters of carnitine or any one ester in the series of choline esters tried. 3. 3. Even with lower concentrations of any one lysin tested, the rate of hemolysis was very rapid initially and proceeded without a lag period to an extent which was dependent on both the concentration of lysin and the amount of red blood cells present. © 1969.