LIPID-PEROXIDATION INDUCED BY COPPER IN RAT ERYTHROCYTES

Lipid peroxidation induced by copper chloride (Cu2+) was investigated in vitro in the rat erythrocytes. In the erythrocyte suspensions treated with Cu2+ hemolysis and formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS) were induced, and catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities inhibited and reduced glutathione (GSH) content decreased. When the erythrocyte suspensions or erythrocyte membrane suspensions were treated with Cu2+, the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the supernatants of these suspensions increased and the amounts in the supernatants of erythrocyte suspensions were much higher than those of erythrocyte membrane suspensions. Chemiluminescence intensity as an index of lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes and hemolysates treated with Cu2+ increased. The increase of chemiluminescence intensity induced by Cu2+ in hemolysates and erythrocyte membrane suspensions was inhibited by the addition of catalase. Since Cu2+ incorporated into erythrocyte decreased GSH content and inhibited activities of active oxygen scavenging enzyme, it is suggested that the Cu2+ produces hydrogen peroxide and subsequently causes lipid peroxidation of the constituent of erythrocytes.