EFFECT OF MET- AND SULFHEMOGLOBIN ON GLYCOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN RED CELLS TREATED WITH NITRITE IN VITRO
The effect of nitrite-induced met- /sulfhemoglobin on glycolytic activity was examined in normal red cells under metabolic stress with sodium ascorbate. In the absence of ascorbate, the marked accumulation of methemoglobin was observed in red cells treated with nitrite, concomitant with increased concentration of pyruvate. In contrast, in the presence of ascorbate, the marked accumulation of sulfhemoglobin was seen with the normal level of methemoglobin, even after treatment with nitrite. Glycolytic intermediates, namely, FDP, DHAP, G-3-P and 2,3-DPG, were significantly increased in the nitrite pre-treated red cells in the presence of ascorbate. Thus, the higher concentration of methemoglobin and of sulfhemoglobin may affect glycolytic activity significantly in red cells, if stressed metabolically such as by ascorbate.
