The effect of copper on intact cattle erythrocytes.

The effect of copper on intact cattle erythrocytes was investigated in vitro. When treated with copper, a decrease in the GSH content, accumulation of copper in the cell, loss of potassium and gain of sodium, cross-linking of membrane proteins, and echinocytic transformation were observed. All of these phenomena seem to be caused by a potent oxidant action of copper. These cytotoxic effects of copper were markedly inhibited by the addition of bovine serum albumin in the incubation medium. These results may help to understand the mechanism of hemolysis associated with copper poisoning in vivo.