Effect of hydrogen peroxide on ejection of cell nucleus from pigeon erythrocytes and state of membrane lipids.

The nuclei are ejected from the pigeon erythrocytes and apoptotic vesicles form in these cells in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide intensifies LPO processes and changes phospholipid content. The relative content of phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylserine decreased, while that of phosphatidylethanolamine and lisophosphatidylcholine increased. The content of unsaturated fatty acids also decreased under these conditions. Presumably, these changes in the lipid phase of the erythrocyte membrane are a mechanism preparing the cell to nucleus ejection and apoptosis.