Action of halothane on human erythrocytes. Mechanisms of cell lysis and production of sealed ghosts.

1. Suspension of human erythrocytes in halothane-saturated physiological media induces major cell deformation. 2. Release of halothane from erythrocyte suspensions after equilibrium with the anaesthetic produces complete hemolysis. 3. The membrane fragments isolated after halothane release are in the form of biconcave ghosts, impermeable to macromolecules (lactoperoxidase) and small molecules (ATP). 4. The protein composition of the membranes differs from that of ghosts produced by hypotonic lysis in the lack of components previously shown to be adsorbed at low ionic strength. 5. A hypothesis is presented explaining the action of halothane in terms of both its action on membranes and its capacity to modify water structure. 6. Halothane-induced hemolysis constitutes a simple method for the large-scale production of hemoglobin-depleted, sealed erythrocyte ghosts under physiological ionic conditions.