Hemolysis and morphological changes in rat erythrocytes with mercurials.

Effects of mercurials on rat erythrocytes were studied morphologically using an electron microscope. In the scanning study, the normal biconcave shape of the erythrocytes was changed to rugged surface spherocytes when mercuric chloride was added to the erythrocyte suspension. Methylmercuric chloride produced an irregularity of cell shape with spicules including the final stage of spherocytes. p-Chloromercuribenzoic acid formed crenated cells with protrusion, then spherocytes. By a carbon replica technique, it was revealed that control erythrocytes had a granular surface structure; however the surface of mercuric chloride-treated and methyl-mercuric chloride-treated erythrocytes appeared less granulated. By a negative staining technique, severe damage was observed on the erythrocytes lysed by mercurials. As a decrease in content of reduced glutathione, inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and formation of methemoglobin in erythrocytes treated with mercurials to induce hemolysis were not observed, it was concluded that the hemolysis induced by mercurials was not due to a disturbance in erythrocyte metabolism but rather to the direct action of mercurials on the cell membrane.