ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Phenol, Catechol, Chloroand
Metylphenol on Human Erythrocyte
Membrane (in vitro)
B. Bukowska1, A. Marczak2, J. Michałowicz1, K. Wiśniewska1
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1Department of Biophysics of Environmental Pollution,
2Department of Thermobiology
University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(4):569-577
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This study continues our investigations concerning the interaction of phenol, catechol, 2,4-dichlorophenol
(2,4-DCP), 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) and 2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP) with human erythrocytes.
We focus on the effects of these compounds on erythrocyte membrane fluidity, as well as on their impact
on membrane proteins. The fluorimetric method and fluorescent probes (ANS, DPH and TMA-DPH) were
used to estimate the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes. SDS-gel electrophoresis was carried out to separate
the proteins of the cell membrane. Additionally, an analysis of disturbances in size and shape of the erythrocytes
by the application of the methods of flow cytometry and microscopic examination was performed.
It was observed that phenol derivatives like 2,4-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP, 2,4-DMP and catechol induced
changes in membrane fluidity and perturbations in the content of a cell’s membrane proteins. Changes in the
level of spectrin, band 3 protein and low molecular weight proteins were also noted. Using three fluorescent
probes we observed different changes in membrane fluidity on its different layers, depending on the structure
and the concentration of the compound used. The application of flow cytometry and microscopic technique
also demonstrated disturbances in the size and shape of erythrocytes. We concluded that chlorophenols
induced more severe changes in erythrocyte membrane properties and phenol expressed the lowest toxicity.