Effect of gamma radiation on enzymatic activity and sulphydryl groups of human erythrocyte membrane.
The effect of ionizing radiation on human erythrocyte ghost membranes was studied by following changes in membrane -SH groups and activities of four membrane bound enzymes: Na+K+Mg2+ ATP-ase, Mg2+Ca2+ ATP-ase, Na+K+ATP-ase, and AChE. Irradiation up to 100 Gy gamma X-rays produced a significant decrease in the activity of ATP-ase and an increase in AChE activity. At higher radiation doses a marked decrease in the activities of all the enzymes was observed. A correlation between radiation-induced perturbations in enzyme activities and changes in membrane -SH groups was found.