In recent decades, the scientists have discovered the existence of a new class of biologically active substances – gaseous intermediaries, which perform a signaling function in the cells and with a high specificity are involved in intercellular and intracellular communication. A special place is occupied by carbon monoxide. We conducted an experimental study of the effect of the donor of carbon monoxide CORM-2 on the change in the volume of red blood cells after cultivation in solutions with different osmotic forces. It is known that the change in the volume of red blood cells is controlled by Ca2+ -activated K+channels (K+(Ca2+)) or Gardos channels. To study the effect of CORM-2 on K+(Ca2+) erythrocyte channels, donor blood was used. The red blood cells were pre-washed in phosphate buffered saline with glucose. To prove the effect of CORM-2 on K+(Ca2+) channels in a parallel sample, these channels were blocked with clotrimazole, a known blocker. To clarify the activity of K+(Ca2+) channels after incubation, red blood cells were placed in the media with different osmotic strengths: 220, 320, 420, and 520 mosm. After that, the degree of light transmission was measured. The cultivation of red blood cells with different concentrations showed a dose-dependent effect of CORM-2 on the K+(Ca2+) channels of red blood cells. As a result of the studies, it was found that CORM-2 is able to block K+(Ca2+) channels. This confirms that the light transmission of the erythrocyte suspension (increase in red blood cell volume) after treatment with CORM-2 was the same as after treatment with clotrimazole. It should be noted that the effects of CORM-2 are dose-dependent. The maximum blocking effect of CORM-2 on K+(Ca2+) channels was observed at a concentration of 200 and 10 μM. At a concentration of 100 μM in a hypotonic solution of 220 mosm, the opposite effect was observed – water leakage from red blood cells (a decrease in the volume of red blood cells indicates this). This phenomenon can be explained by the effect of red blood cells on aquaporins.

Keywords: Gardos channel, CO-releasing molecule, carbon monoxide, erythrocytes

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