Osmotic fragility and lipid peroxidation of irradiated erythrocytes in the presence of radioprotectors.

Gamma radiation causes a decrease in the osmotic fragility of porcine erythrocytes and induces peroxidation of membrane lipids, as reflected by an increase in malondialdehyde content. With respect to osmotic fragility all the protectors used have the radioprotective effect. Malondialdehyde content was reduced in the presence of catalase, cysteine and glutathione, whereas SOD had no protective effect.