Triggering of erythrocyte membrane blebbing by ciprofloxacin

An extensively used fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin shows a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative strains. It works mainly by the inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV which results in impaired DNA replication leading towards microbial cell death. Eryptosis is an alternative term used for suicidal erythrocyte death. In current study, eryptotic effect of ciprofloxacin was investigated by exposing erythrocytes for 48 hours to the different concentrations (45-90µM) of ciprofloxacin. The experimental work related to the investigation of eryptosis was done by cell size measurement and confirmation of calcium role in membrane blebbing. As a possible mechanism of eryptosis, oxidative stress induced by ciprofloxacin was determined by catalase, glutathion peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities measurement. Similarly, necrotic effect of ciprofloxacin was also illustrated by hemolysis measurement. Results of our study revealed that the therapeutical doses of ciprofloxacin may induce oxidative stress by significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as induce eryptosis, featured by erythrocytes membrane blebbing and hemolysis.