Cobalt Lysis and Methemoglobin Accumulation in Human Erythrocyte Suspensions 1

Abstract

Summary

Cobaltous chloride in concentrations up to 8.0 mM in human red cell suspensions in a Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate-glucose media produced significant hemolysis under O₂ but not under N₂. Both O₂ and cobalt have significant hemolytic effects and appear to greatly potentiate each other. Hemolysis favors methemoglobin accumulation in the extracellular fluid, but O₂ has an additional effect in the opposite direction. By keeping the hemoglobin saturated, oxygen tends to prevent auto-oxidation of the pigment to methemoglobin. Thus, methemoglobin accumulation in erythrocyte suspensions exposed to cobalt is a net result of several opposing effects, but no evidence was obtained to suggest that cobalt is a specific inhibitor of methemoglobin reductase.