Effects of disinfectants on erythrocytes and isolated hepatocytes from rats and surface tension

Abstract

The effects of formaldehyde (F), m-cresol (C), guaiacol (G), ethanol (E) and their mixture (FC, FCE, FG, FGE) on erythrocytes and isolated hepatocytes from rats and surface tension in water were examined. Hypotonic hemolysis of erythrocytes was inhibited by m-cresol, while guaiacol, formaldehyde and ethanol accelerated the hemolysis. Lower concentrations of the mixture inhibited hypotonic hemolysis, but higher concentrations accelerated hemolysis. Formaldehyde caused a decrease of transaminase (GOT, GPT) in the medium and hepatocytes. GOT and GPT in the medium were increased by m-cresol, but those in the hepatocyte were decreased by this agent. FC and FCE at 10 mM increased GOT in the medium, but FG and FGE decreased GOT. All mixtures decreased GOT and GPT in hepatocytes and GPT in the medium. All mixtures and formaldehyde inhibited GOT and GPT activity. Formaldehyde and m-cresol decreased hepatocyte viability. In the all mixtures-added hepatocytes, the viability was markedly lowered. Formaldehyde, m-cresol, guaiacol and ethanol caused a depression of surface tension, but the depressive effects of FG and FGE were weaker than that of guaiacol. These results suggest that the observed effects of the drug mixtures on erythrocytes and hepatocytes were the additive effects of the component drugs.