Protective Role of Vitamin E on Mefenamic Acid-Induced Alterations in Erythrocytes

I. Ahmad^* and M. Suhail

Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, UP, India; E-mail: ahmadimtiaz@hotmail.com or ssuhail@sancharnet.in

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received November 8, 2001; Revision received January 14, 2002

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Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (O.F.), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and the level of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) of control, mefenamic acid treated, and mefenamic acid with vitamin E treated rats were investigated. Administration of mefenamic acid to albino rats brought about a significant increase in the osmotic fragility of red cells and a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the activity of AChE. We have also observed increased red cell level of MDA and decreased cholesterol (Chl), hemoglobin (Hb), and reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Supplementation of vitamin E to the mefenamic acid treated rats restored the O.F., AChE activity, level of MDA, and Chl, Hb, and GSH content almost to normal. These observations suggest that mefenamic acid causes functional impairment of red cell membrane, while vitamin E shows its protective role in maintaining normal red cell functions.

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KEY WORDS: vitamin E, mefenamic acid, erythrocyte, osmotic fragility, glutathione, acetylcholinesterase, cholesterol, hemoglobin, malonyl dialdehyde

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