Erythrocyte membrane interactions with menadione and the mechanism of menadione-induced hemolysis

It is suggested that menadione is a specific membrane sulfhydryl inhibitor which alters cation permeability and induces colloid-osmotic hemolysis.

Abstract

Menadione-induced hemolysis was preceded by increased K+ permeability and swelling. Swelling and hemolysis were prevented by the non-penetrating solutes sucrose and phosphate. Thiodione, the 3-glutathionyl ether of menadione, did not affect K+ permeability and did not cause hemolysis. Labeled menadione was irreversibly bound to erythrocyte ghosts and binding was greatly reduced by pre-incubation with p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB). Hemolysis was not related to the oxidation of glutathione, hemoglobin or membrane lipids by menadione or thiodione. These studies suggest that menadione is a specific membrane sulfhydryl inhibitor which alters cation permeability and induces colloid-osmotic hemolysis.