Oxygen requirement for cupric ion induced hemolysis.

The Cu(II) induced lysis of rabbit erythrocytes occurs in two phases. First there is a lag period of 60 min where few cells lyse, followed by a period of rapid lysis where most of the remaining cells undergo hemolysis. Lysis is effectively inhibited if the incubation is conducted in nitrogen or if the erythrocytes are pre-saturated with carbon monoxide. These results suggest that oxygenated hemoglobin is necessary for lysis. It has been reported that copper binds to oxyhemoglobin and releases superoxide ion. This additional oxidative stress can initiate lipid peroxidation which leads to cell hemolysis.