On the mechanism of AgNO3-induced lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes.

In order to elucidate the possible mechanism of initiation of lipid peroxidation in AgNO3-treated erythrocytes, the effect of AgNO3 on hemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes was studied. It was found that Ag+ significantly increases the rate of hemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation. The inhibition of this effect by superoxide dismutase and catalase suggests that superoxide radical and H2O2 are involved. It was demonstrated also that Ag+ potentiates the hemoglobin autoxidation and increases the binding of hemoglobin to the erythrocyte membrane. On the basis of these findings a possible mechanism of initiation of peroxidation in AgNO3-treated erythrocytes is discussed.