Modulation of erythrocyte vesiculation by amphiphilic drugs.

Release of acetylcholinesterase-containing vesicles from human erythrocyte membranes induced by dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) was inhibited by exposure of red cells to cationic amphiphilic drugs like tetracaine, chlorpromazine and primaquine which all are known to induce stomatocyte formation. On the other hand, the process was facilitated when red cells were exposed to crenators like the anionic drugs indomethacin and phenylbutazone or when DMPC was added to calcium-loaded red cells. The results suggest that agents which are known to modulate red cell shape do also influence the vesiculation behavior of the cells.