Isolated and Complex Effects of Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc Ions on the Acid Resistance of Erythrocytes Download PDF

The acid resistance of erythrocytes of laboratory rats was studied under isolated and complex exposure to lead, cadmium, and zinc ions. It was shown that when exposed to heavy metal ions, there is a shift in erythrograms, an increase in the proportion of low-resistant erythrocytes, and a reduction in hemolysis time. The most significant changes in erythrocyte membranes are observed with the chronic action of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺ ions, and a mixture of heavy metals. It was found that when Pb²⁺, Zn^2+, and Cd²⁺ ions were exposed to laboratory rats for 30 days, the peak of erythrograms was 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 minutes, respectively. The proportion of erythrocytes subjected to hemolysis at the peaks of erythrograms was significant and about 3 times higher than the control at prolonged exposure to Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions and almost corresponds to the control (36.0%) when exposed to Cd²⁺ ions. The hemolysis time was significantly reduced: 2.5 minutes at Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions, and 4.5 minutes at Cd²⁺ ions. It should be noted that by the 30^th day of the experiment, all rats that received water with heavy metals had died. Thus, the results obtained indicate significant qualitative changes in the composition of the erythrocyte population of rats exposed to chronic exposure to heavy metal salts.