The Effect of Copper Overload on the Sheep Erythrocyte Membrane

Abstract

The effect of copper overload on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane from experimentally copper-poisoned sheep was evaluated by studying the lipid peroxidation, composition of fatty acids, and protein organization of RBC membranes. Ten ewes were dosed orally with CuSO₄ in order to induce copper toxicity. The level of lipid peroxidation products was examined in RBC ghosts by measuring their thiobarbituric acid reactivity. The measurement of fatty acids was accomplished by gas-liquid chromatography; and the study of membrane proteins, by SDS-PAGE. The results showed increased lipid peroxidation levels and reduced content of 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3 fatty acids in RBC from copper-poisoned sheep. Despite the RBC copper-overload, treated sheep showed a qualitatively normal protein pattern, but the amount of band 3 of membrane proteins increased. We established a relationship between copper overload and alterations in the RBC membrane structure.