Influence of trolox derivative and N-acetylcysteine on surface charge density of erythrocytes in methanol intoxicated rats.

Methanol is oxidized in vivo to formaldehyde and then to formate and these processes are accompanied by free radicals generation. This paper reports the effect of antioxidants: trolox derivative (U-83836E) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipid peroxidation, surface charge density and hematological parameters of erythrocytes from rats intoxicated with methanol (3.0 g/kg body weight). Methanol administration caused increase in erythrocyte lipid peroxidation products and changes in surface charge density. Ingestion of methanol with U-83836E and NAC partially prevented these methanol-induced changes. This suggests that U83836E and NAC act as effective antioxidants and free radicals scavengers. They may have efficacy in protecting free radical damage to erythrocytes following methanol intoxication.