ABSTRACT
The biological activity of montmorillonite, palygorskite, kaolinite, chrysotile, and silica was examined using in vitro hemolysis of erythrocytes. The hemolytic potency was in the order montmorillonite greater than silica greater than palygorskite greater than chrysotile greater than kaolinite. The polymer poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide inhibited hemolysis caused by montmorillonite, palygorskite, kaolinite, and silica, but it was less effective with chrysotile. The extent of polymer binding to the silicates and red blood cells was measured by UV spectroscopy. When sucrose was substituted for the saline solution as the incubating medium, hemolysis was eliminated in all systems except chrysotile-erythrocyte, where it was enhanced. The results indicate that both hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions between silicate surfaces and the erythrocyte membrane are important in the hemolytic process.
