Effects of Tin(II) chloride on human erythrocyte membrane stability

Abstract

Tin (Sn) is a heavy metal element in earth which can be found in both organic and inorganic forms. Humans get exposed to tin through digestion, inhalation, dermal contact and occupational exposure. SnCl2 is one of the most common industrially important inorganic form of Tin. Sn2+ concentration range of 5–100 µmol/L has been reported in human circulation. Blood cells are the primary site of impact by the ion in circulation yet the effects of inorganic tin exposure on human erythrocytes are poorly addressed. Therefore, this study was aimed at elucidating the impact of SnCl2 exposure on human erythrocytes membrane stability using in vitro assays. The specific objectives were to analyze the effects of SnCl2 exposure on hemolysis of erythrocyte with concentration and incubation time and to analyze the effect of SnCl2 exposure on deformations with concentration. Following the informed consent, 5 mL of venous blood was collected from ten females between 20–45 years and 10% hematocrit was prepared using 0.9% physiological saline. Erythrocytes were incubated with different concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µmol/L) of SnCl2 for four different time points (1, 4, 20, and 24 hours) for hemolysis assay. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using UV-visible spectroscopy. Sn-induced deformations in erythrocytes were observed under microscope after 24 hours of exposure. According to the results, there was a significantly high hemolysis percentage with 100 µmol/L SnCl2 solution compared to other two concentrations (Two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). Significant hemolysis percentage was observed under 20 and 24 hours of incubation (Two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). Also, moderate dosedependent increase of hemolysis was observed with SnCl2 (Pearson correlation coefficient, p < 0.05; r = 0.346). High percentage of deformed erythrocytes was observed in 100 µmol/L of SnCl2 when compared with other treatments (One-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). 100 µmol/L of SnCl2 exposure have shown to affect the membrane stability of erythrocytes as indicated by increased hemolysis and deformations. Hemolysis and deformations of red blood cells can lead to the anaemic conditions in human. Therefore, the findings of this preliminary study highlight the importance of regulating high levels of Sn2+ exposure in humans especially due to occupational exposures.