Abstract
PREVIOUSLY1, we have shown that incubation of normal human erythrocytes in glucose buffer with a ‘simple’ oxidant, such as nitrite, causes complete conversion of oxyhæmoglobin to methæmoglobin without depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH). By buffering against GSH depletion, methæmoglobin formation appeared to protect the erythrocyte from oxidative destruction of hæmoglobin and osmotic hyperfragility. In view of the wide distribution of the nitrite ion, it was suggested that this adaptive mechanism may be of evolutionary significance.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Harley, J. D., and Robin, H., Blood, 20, 710 (1962).
Harley, J. D., and Robin, H., Nature, 193, 478 (1962).
Carver, M. J., and Ryan, W. L., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med., 104, 710 (1960).
Lovell, D., and Prankerd, T. A. J., Nature, 192, 561 (1961).
Harley, J. D., and Robin, H., Austral. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci., 40, 473 (1962).
Harley, J. D., and Mauer, A. M., Blood, 16, 1722 (1960).
Huennekens, F. M., Caffrey, R. W., Basford, R. E., and Gabrio, B. W., J. Biol. Chem., 227, 261 (1957).
Sass-Kortsak, A., Thalme, B., and Ernster, L., Nature, 193, 480 (1962).
Gibson, Q. H., Biochem. J., 42, 13 (1948).
Arnon, D. I., Fed. Proc., 20, 1012 (1961).
Brodie, A. F., Fed. Proc., 20, 995 (1961).
Jandl, J. H., Engle, L. K., and Allen, D. W., J. Clin. Invest., 39, 1818 (1960).
Brewer, G. J., Tarlov, A. R., Kellermeyer, R. W., and Alving, A. S., J. Lab. and Clin. Med., 59, 905 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HARLEY, J., ROBIN, H. Role of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in the Regulation of Methæmoglobinæmia. Nature 198, 397–398 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/198397a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/198397a0
This article is cited by
-
Erythrocytic methaemoglobin reductases of various mammalian species
Experientia (1972)
-
Significance and Regulation of Methaemoglobinaemia
Nature (1966)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
