The effects of sulfur dioxide inhalation and antioxidant vitamins on red blood cell lipoperoxidation.

An attempt was made to determine whether sulfur dioxide (SO2,) inhalation at 10 ppm, 1 hr daily, for 30 days induces oxidant stress and whether vitamin E (40 mg/kg) together with vitamin C (200 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally once in every 3 days, can reduce the damage in red blood cell membranes of guinea pigs. Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels, osmotic fragility ratios, and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin values were significantly higher in the SO2-treated group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and marked decreases in MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios were determined in the group treated with SO2 + antioxidant vitamins (P < 0.05).

Hematological and hemorheological effects of air pollution.

Selected hematological parameters and erythrocyte deformability indexes for 16 young male military students were compared before and after a period of exposure to heavy pollution. These students lived in Ankara, which has a serious air pollution problem. The mean sulfur dioxide levels measured at a station proximal to the campus where the students lived were 188 micrograms/m3 and 201 micrograms/m3 during first and second measurements, respectively. During the period between the two measurements, the mean sulfur dioxide level was 292 micrograms/m3. Significant erythropoiesis was indicated by increased erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Methemoglobin percentage was increased to 2.37 +/- 0.49% (mean +/- standard error) from 0.51 +/- 0.23%. Sulfhemoglobinemia was present in six subjects after the period of pollution, but it was not present in any student prior to this period. Significant increases in erythrocyte deformability indexes were observed after the period of pollution, i.e., from 1.13 +/- 0.01 to 1.21 +/0 0.02, implying that erythrocytes were less flexible, which might impair tissue perfusion.