Regulation of the structural stability of erythrocytes by hydrogen peroxide: mathematical model and experiment

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, the regulatory mechanisms induced by extracellular hydrogen peroxide were analyzed on the basis of a mathematical model that considers the key stages of the formation of methemoglobin and ferrylhemoglobin, as well as their binding to the erythrocyte membrane. Numerical modeling has shown that reversible binding of methemoglobin to the membrane is an adaptive mechanism aimed at stabilizing the lipid bilayer of the membrane. On the other hand, an increase in the concentration of ferrylhemoglobin and its binding to the membrane leads to an increase in pathophysiological processes that reduce the structural stability of cells. The quantity of methemoglobins and ferrylhemoglobins formed depends on the concentration of extracellular hydrogen peroxide and exposition time, the number of cells in the sample, the state of the antioxidant system of erythrocytes, the metabolic activity of cells and external metabolic conditions. Based on numerical modeling, optimal conditions (oxidant concentration and exposition time) have been determined, under which the activation of adaptive processes occurs. Experiments with erythrocyte hemolysis in vitro have shown that hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 10–200 μM causes an increase in the structural stability of the membrane and a decrease in the proportion of hemolyzed erythrocytes.

Keywords: erythrocytes, hydrogen peroxide, methemoglobin, adaptation, hormesis