Effects of Pulsed Magnetic Field on the Hemolysis of Erythrocytes Exposed to Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Ahematological and morphological investigation was made of the effects of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) stimulus on oxidized erythrocyte membrane using the smear method and spectroscopic measurement. Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) was used for oxidative stress, and verapamil was used as reduction agent on red blood cells (RBCs). Our PMF stimulator system was designed to generate a maximum intensity of 0.27 T at a transition time of 0.102 ms. The morphology of oxidized RBCs, and oxidative stressed RBCs after treatment with a reducing agent were observed before and after PMF. Light absorbance of hemoglobin (Hb) was measured in the membrane as well as plasma, through hemolysis of RBCs. Absorbance for a sample exposed to PMF before the oxidation treatment was lower than that for a sample not exposed to PMF in the plasma. This means that PMF plays a role in preventing hemolysis of erythrocyte membrane from oxidative stress. Our results were confirmed using an osmotic fragility test. Hemolysis in the case of PMF treatment is 28% lower than that of non-PMF treatment. As a result, PMF stimulus is proposed to achieve an improvement of RBCs aggregation and prevent RBCs from oxidative stress, and could be used in various clinical fields related to peripheral vascular diseases. For further clinical application, we need to optimize PMF intensity and stimulated duration.