Experimental estimation of the effects of exogenous carbon monoxide on blood cells

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the carbon monoxide (CO) donor on the Ca2+-activated potassium permeability of the erythrocyte membrane and platelet aggregation ability. Materials and methods. Healthy volunteers (n = 27) and patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 32) of both sexes were examined. The material of the study was packed red blood cells and platelet-rich plasma obtained from patient's venous blood. The change of Ca2+-dependent potassium conductivity of the erythrocyte membrane was evaluated by potentiometric method, and the platelet aggregation was studied by turbidimetric method. Carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) was used as a CO donor. The amplitude of A23187- and redox-induced hyperpolarization response (HR) of erythrocytes, and the rate and degree of platelet aggregation were estimated. Results. It was shown that the addition of CORM-2 (10 and 100 mu M) in the erythrocyte suspension caused a dose-dependent decrease in the amplitude of A23187- and redox-dependent HR in healthy donors, as well as in patients with chronic CHD. The maximum decrease was observed in the presence of 100 mu M CORM-2. The effect of CORM-2 at concentrations of 10 and 100 mu M on collagen-induced platelet aggregation led to a decrease in the degree and rate of aggregation in healthy donors. The maximum effect was shown at 100 mu M of CO donor. However, such an unambiguous effect of CORM-2 on the aggregation parameters in patients with CHD was not observed. Conclusion. The results suggest that CO has a significant effect on the ion transport function of the erythrocyte membrane and platelet aggregation activity of both healthy donors and patients with CHD.