Infiluence of Lindane and Paraquat on Oxidative Stress-Related Parameters of Erythrocytes In Vitro

1 The influence of lindane and paraquat on oxidative stress-related parameters of the red blood cell was studied in vitro.

2 Lindane addition did not modify either the t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxygen uptake of the erythrocytes and the induction time preceding it, or the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in conditions of comparable levels of haemoglobin and methaemoglobin.

3 Red blood cells exposed to paraquat exhibited a concentration-dependent decrease in the t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxygen consumption and increments in either the induction period or in the activity of catalase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, with no changes in superoxide dismutase activity and a small decrement in that of glutathione peroxidase.

4 These data indicate that lindane does not interfere with the oxidant status of the erythrocyte, while paraquat addition leads to an increment in the anti-oxidant capacity of the red blood cell.