Hemolytic activity of copper sulfate as influenced by epinephrine and chelating thiols.

AIM: To study the effects of epinephrine, homocysteine, and other complexing agents on the cytotoxicity of copper sulfate.

METHODS

In vitro suspensions of human red cells incubated with cupric sulfate were used, and hemolysis was determined by extracellular hemoglobin.

RESULTS

The hemolytic activity of CuSO4 (0.3 mmol.L-1) was enhanced by the presence of epinephrine and to a lesser extent by homocysteine, whereas D-penicillamine, succimer, and mercaptodextran reduced the copper-induced hemolysis. The latter 3 chelating thiols also reduced the copper-epinephrine-induced hemolysis. The plasma protein ceruloplasmin reduced markedly the copper-epinephrine-induced hemolysis, even upon concentrations < 20% of that of copper. Chromic chloride, as well, acted anti-hemolytically.

CONCLUSION

The latter protectors may interact with the production or activity of toxic oxygen, while classical copper chelators sequester cupric ions from interaction with epinephrine or homocysteine.