The effect of malonyldialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, on the deformability, dehydration and 51Cr-survival of erythrocytes.

Erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation has been reported to occur in various haemolytic anaemias. In the present study, treatment of human erythrocytes with malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a product of fatty acid peroxidation, induced membrane rigidity, cellular dehydration and reduced whole cell deformability. These effects of MDA were blocked by histamine and fluorescamine, which can act as alternate substrates for MDA. Additionally, reduced deformability of MDA-treated rabbit cells was associated with shortened 51Cr survival in vivo. These findings suggest a biochemical basis for decreased survival of erythrocytes undergoing peroxidative damage of the membrane.