Osmotic fragility of red blood cells, lipid peroxidation and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of placental homogenates and red blood cell ghosts in salt-loaded pregnant rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the osmotic fragility of red blood cells and the level of lipid peroxidation, the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of red cell ghosts and placental homogenates from salt-loaded pregnant rats.

Methods: Salt-loaded pregnant rats received 1.8% NaCl solution ad libitum as a beverage for seven days, starting on 15th day of pregnancy. Then, it was evaluated the level of lipid peroxidation and the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of placental homogenates and red blood cell ghosts from control and experimental rats. Furthermore, the osmotic fragility of the red blood cells was evaluated by measuring the lysis of these cells when incubated with a NaCl solution with different osmolarities.

Results: It was found that placental homogenates and red blood cell ghosts from experimental pregnant rats showed an increased level of lipid peroxidation and a lowered Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, as compared to control pregnant rats. They also presented an increased osmotic fragility of their red blood cells.

Conclusions: Salt-loaded pregnant rats showed, similar to preeclamptic women, an increased level of lipid peroxidation and a lowered Ca²⁺-ATPase activity in placental and red blood cells membranes, as well as an increased osmotic fragility of the red blood cells.

• Ca²⁺-ATPase
• lipid peroxidation
• osmotic fragility
• preeclampsia

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

This research was supported, in part, by grant from Fondo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (Fonacit) No. F-2005000222.