Tris acetylacetonate aluminium(III) induces osmotic fragility and acanthocyte formation in suspended erythrocytes.

Tris acetylacetonate aluminium(III) (Al(acac)3), dissolved in water, is effective in producing osmotic fragility in suspended erythrocytes in the concentration range of 0.034-0.34 mmol/l. Water solutions of Tris maltolate aluminium(III) (Al(malt)3) and aluminium lactate (Al(lac)3) are also effective but the dose-response behavior is less pronounced. Moreover, only Al(acac)3 induces a prominent generation of acanthocytes. The stronger effects of Al(acac)3 on membrane stability are attributed to the greater solubility of this complex in the cell membrane.