Behavior of Erythrocytes in Various Solvent Systems III: Water—Polyethylene Glycols

Abstract

Hemolytic behavior of human and rabbit erythrocytes in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 200, 300, 400, and 600 was investigated. Complete hemolysis occurred in all PEG 200 and 300 solutions, with discoloration occurring in ≥ 25 per cent PEG 200 and ≥ 15 per cent PEG 300 solutions. Sodium chloride was effective in preventing hemolysis in ≤ 25 per cent PEG 200 or ≤ 40 per cent PEG 300 solutions. When possible, i values were calculated for sodium chloride in the various water-PEG 200 and 300 solutions. PEG 400 and 600 protected blood cells from damage in>10 per cent to<40 per cent solutions, and i values were calculated for these PEG's. Solutions containing ≥ 40 per cent PEG 400 or 600 (with and without NaCl) were damaging to red cells. The ability of liquid PEG's to penetrate rabbit and human erythrocytes appeared to be 200>300>400>600. Hemolytic behavior of human and rabbit erythrocytes in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 200, 300, 400, and 600 was investigated. Complete hemolysis occurred in all PEG 200 and 300 solutions, with discoloration occurring in ≥ 25 per cent PEG 200 and ≥ 15 per cent PEG 300 solutions. Sodium chloride was effective in preventing hemolysis in ≤ 25 per cent PEG 200 or ≤ 40 per cent PEG 300 solutions. When possible, i values were calculated for sodium chloride in the various water-PEG 200 and 300 solutions. PEG 400 and 600 protected blood cells from damage in>10 per cent to<40 per cent solutions, and i values were calculated for these PEG's. Solutions containing ≥ 40 per cent PEG 400 or 600 (with and without NaCl) were damaging to red cells. The ability of liquid PEG's to penetrate rabbit and human erythrocytes appeared to be 200>300>400>600.