The effects of di- and trichloroacetic acid on sheep erythrocytes: an animal model with a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Erythrocytes of Dorset sheep, an animal model with an erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, responded in a dose-dependent manner to the oxidant stress of di- and trichloroacetic acids (DCA and TCA) as measured by increases in methemoglobin (METHB) and decreases in glutathione (GSH). Given the fact that TCA and DCA are now being found in community drinking water supplies at levels greater than 100 micrograms/liter, there is a need to further investigate their effects on biological systems, including those with a compromised ability to deal with oxidant stress (e.g., G-6-PD-deficient erythrocytes).