Radiation damage to human erythrocytes: Influence of the composition of medium

The erythrocyte suspensions in PBS (Na-phosphate buffered isotonic NaCl solution) or PB (Na-phosphate isotonic buffer) (hematocrit 1%) were irradiated with the dose of 400 Gy in aerobic conditions. The level of damage to cells was estimated after incubation in different media. A higher level of destruction of cells irradiated in PBS than in PB was observed. The same level of MetHb and lipid peroxidation determined right after irradiation was detected. However, the loss of reduced glutathione was higher in PB than in PBS. We discussed the contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in the initiation of erythrocyte damage.