Abstract
In an attempt to determine the developmental mechanism of neonatal jaundice and its prevention, we investigated the fragility of erythro-cytes in umbilical cord blood and maternal blood by observing the release of potassium from them at a high concentration of bilirubin.
Results showed that the amount potassium released from the erythrocytes increased in the presence of bilirubin and was more marked in erythrocytes from the umbilical cord than in those of maternal blood. An addition of cepha-ranthine to the erythrocyte suspension inhibited potassium release.
Our data suggest that cepharanthine might be used as an antihemolitic drug against neonatal jaundice.
