Hemolysis assay
Human and animal health In vitro/ex vivo cytotoxicity
The hemolysis assay is used to assess the membrane-disruptive or hemotoxic potential of a test item toward red blood cells. Hemolysis data is a key early safety indicator for compounds or formulations that may come into contact with blood, particularly injectable, intravenous, or membrane-active products.
Erythrocytes are exposed to the test item, after which intact cells are removed by centrifugation. Hemoglobin released from lysed erythrocytes is quantified spectrophotometrically in the supernatant. The degree of hemolysis is calculated by comparison with a negative control, representing spontaneous or background hemolysis, and a positive control, representing complete hemolysis.
A low percentage of hemolysis indicates good hemocompatibility, whereas increased hemoglobin release indicates red blood cell membrane damage.
