Abstract
To gain an understanding of the toxicity of antimicrobial polymers to human cells, their hemolytic action was investigated using human red blood cells (RBCs). We examined the hemolysis induced by cationic amphiphilic methacrylate random copolymers, which have amino ethyl sidechains as cationic units and either butyl or methyl methacrylate as hydrophobic units. The polymer with 30 mol% butyl sidechains (B30) displayed higher hemolytic toxicity than the polymer with 59 mol% methyl sidechains (M59). B30 also induced faster release of hemoglobin from RBCs than M59. A new theoretical model is proposed based on two consecutive steps to form active polymer species on the RBC membranes, which are associated to RBC lysis. This model takes the all-or-none release of hemoglobin by the rupture of RBCs into account, providing new insight into the polymer-induced hemolysis regarding how individual or collective cells respond to the polymers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
