Chromate-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidation and peroxidation:: influence of vitamin E, vitamin C, salicylate, deferoxamine, and N-ethylmaleimide

In order to attenuate or to prevent chromate-induced human erythrocytes injury, the influence of Vitamin E, vitamin C, salicylate, deferoxamine, and N-ethylmaleimide on chromate-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidation and peroxidation were investigated. It was observed that pretreatment of human erythrocytes with vitamin E (20 mu M), vitamin C (1 mM), salicylate (3 mM), and deferoxamine (4 mM) significantly increased (P = 0.0001) chromate-induced human erythrocytes haemoglobin oxidation in a time dependent manner, while it was significantly decreased (P = 0.0001) by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM). In contrast, pretreatment of human erythrocytes with deferoxamine (4 mM) immediately inhibited (P = 0.0001) chromate-induced human erythrocytes peroxidation, while it was significantly increased (P = 0.0001) by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM) during the first 4 h of cells exposition to chromate. For time periods superior to 6 h pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM) significantly decreased (P = 0.0001) chromate-induced human erythrocytes peroxidation. It was concluded that care must be taken as these drugs are used to prevent against toxicity induced by chromium(VI) compounds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.