Monitoring surfactant-induced hemolysis by surface tension measurement.

Abstract

Surface tension measurements were employed to monitor the erythrocyte hemolysis process induced by surfactants. Two types of surfactants were used: the cationic surfactant DTAB and the anionic surfactant SDS. During DTAB-induced hemolysis, the changes in surface tension clearly demonstrate three stages. The first stage is characterized by surface tension increase, which is explained by surfactant removal from the suspending solution, due to adsorption onto cell membranes. In the second stage, surface tension remains constant, implying that equilibrium is attained between the membrane-bound surfactant and the surfactant in solution. The third stage is characterized by surface tension decrease that begins simultaneously with measurable cell-interior release, and lasts until hemolysis is completed. With SDS-induced hemolysis, the same three stages are observed at a low concentration; however, fluctuational increase in surface tension is obtained for higher concentrations. The latter is explained by additional adsorption of surfactant to solubilized membrane fragments.

• Authors: Sagit Shalel, Sara Streichman, Abraham Marmur
• Journal: Journal of colloid and interface science (J Colloid Interface Sci) Vol. 255 Issue 2 Pg. 265-9 (Nov 15 2002) ISSN: 0021-9797 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12505073 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Surface-Active Agents
• Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Topics

• Hemolysis (drug effects)
• Humans
• Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (pharmacology)
• Surface Tension
• Surface-Active Agents (pharmacology)