Oxidized proteins and activity of the Cl–/HCО3– exchanger in erythrocytes of patients with acute alcohol intoxication

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to study the morphological properties and the products of oxidative protein modification in erythrocytes of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. Two groups of subjects were analyzed. The first one included 39 patients with acute alcohol intoxication. The second group consisted of 14 healthy subjects. Methods: In erythrocytes the activity of Cl^–/HCО₃^– exchanger, the reactive protein carbonyl derivatives and membrane-bound hemoglobin concentration were measured. Results: Our results demonstrated strong alteration of the Cl^–/HCО₃– exchanger activity in erythrocytes of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. A delay in the beginning of hemolysis during incubation of erythrocytes in the ammonium medium was observed. The concentration of protein carbonyls in erythrocytes of patients significantly increased in comparison to the control ones. A decrease in the membrane-bounded hemoglobin was observed as well. Conclusions: These findings indicate that ethanol toxicity is manifested by alteration of oxidized protein concentration and Cl^–/HCО₃^– exchanger activity in erythrocytes. It is hypothesized that oxidized proteins are implicated in modulation of the erythrocyte cell volume regulation.