Hemolysis and eryptosis contribute to anemia encountered in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 dietary fatty acid that has anticancer potential by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, but its effect on the physiology and lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs) is understudied. Human RBCs were exposed to anticancer concentrations of EPA (10-100 ?M) for 24 h at 37 °C. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and hemolysis were measured by colorimetric assays whereas annexin-V-FITC and forward scatter (FSC) were employed to identify eryptotic cells. Oxidative stress was assessed by H2DCFDA and intracellular Ca2+ was measured by Fluo4/AM. EPA significantly increased hemolysis and K+ leakage, and LDH and AST activities in the supernatants in a concentration-dependent manner. EPA also significantly increased annexin-V-FITC-positive cells and Fluo4 fluorescence and decreased FSC and AChE activity. A significant reduction in the hemolytic activity of EPA was noted in the presence extracellular isosmotic urea, 125 mM KCl, and polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000), but not sucrose. In conclusion, EPA stimulates hemolysis and eryptosis through Ca2+ buildup and AChE inhibition. Urea, blocking KCl efflux, and PEG 8000 alleviate the hemolytic activity of EPA. The anticancer potential of EPA may be optimized using Ca2+ channel blockers and chelators to minimize its toxicity to off-target tissue. Keywords: EPA, Eryptosis, Hemolysis, Calcium, Anticancer.

Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences College of Applied Medical Sciences King Saud University Riyadh Saudi Arabia

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