The role of counterions in the protective action of some antioxidants in the process of red cell oxidation.

A number of new surfactants with an incorporated antioxidant functional group were synthesized in order to be used as agents protecting biological and/or model membranes against lipid peroxidation. Hydrophobic parts of these amphiphilic antioxidants ensured their incorporation into the membranes studied, viz. pig erythrocytes. Proper concentrations of the antioxidants were used to avoid erythrocyte membrane destruction during the experiments. The work contains the results of studies on the protective effect of two groups of antioxidants. They differed in the chain length incorporated into the membrane hydrophobic part and in the kind of counterion (chloride and bromide). The role of these factors in the protective action of the compounds studied is discussed as well as their practical application.