Free Radical Chain Oxidation and Hemolysis of Erythrocytes by Molecular Oxygen and Their Inhibition by Vitamin E

Abstract

Erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient rats and normal rats were oxidized at 37°C by molecular oxygen using a free radical initiator. The erythrocytes were oxidized by a free radical chain mechanism with kinetic chain length considerably larger than 1 and resulted in hemolysis. Vitamin E suppressed both oxidation and hemolysis, but the extent of hemolysis was determined primarily by the extent of oxidation independent of the presence or absence of vitamin E. © 1986, Center for Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.