The effects of helium cold plasma on some parameters of metabolism of rat erythrocytes were studied after a course exposure (10 daily procedures, 1 min each). The intensity of free-radical processes in erythrocyte membranes, malondialdehyde concentration, and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity were analyzed. The exposure to helium cold plasma led to a significant increase in malondialdehyde level mostly associated with inhibition of its utilization. These changes were not related to activation of malondialdehyde synthesis in LPO reactions.
Keywords: aldehyde dehydrogenase; cold helium plasma; erythrocytes; malondialdehyde.