Sulphate and chloride-dependent potassium transport in human erythrocytes are affected by crude venom from nematocysts of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca.

Background: It has been reported that biologically active compounds extracted from Cnidaria venom may induce damage by oxidative stress. Erythrocytes are constantly exposed to oxidative stresses, which can contribute to sulphydril (SH-) group oxidation and cell membrane deformability accompanied with activation of K-Cl co-transport and inhibition of anion transport. In this regard, Band 3 protein is responsible for mediating the electroneutral exchange of chloride (Cl(-)) for bicarbonate (HCO3(-)), particularly in erythrocytes, where it is the most abundant membrane protein.

Effects of lead chloride on human erythrocyte membranes and on kinetic anion sulphate and glutathione concentrations.

Our study concerns the effects of exposure to lead chloride on the morphology, K(+) efflux, SO(4)(-) influx and GSH levels of the human erythrocyte. Blood was collected in heparinized tubes and washed three times. The cells were suspended at 3% hematocrit and incubated for 1 h at 25°C in a medium containing increasing concentrations of lead chloride (0, 0.