Energy metabolism of human erythrocytes in psoriasis

1. Adenine nucleotide concentrations and metabolism in red blood cells (RBC) and RBC ghosts from psoriatic patients and healthy subjects were compared. 2. The ATP and total adenine nucleotide levels and the adenylate energy charge (EC) were elevated in the blood from psoriatic patients. 3. The rate of glycolytic production of ATP by intact RBC was unchanged, but the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of RBC ghosts was decreased significantly in psoriasis. 4. Results suggest that the defect in adenine nucleotide metabolism is a systemic manifestation of psoriasis, and that the quantification of adenine nucleotides in RBC and in whole blood samples may be of pathophysiological value in psoriatic lesion.

Cadmium-induced changes of antioxidant and metabolic status in red blood cells of rats: in vivo effects

Chronic exposure of adult rats to dietary intake of cadmium (15 mg CdCl2/day/kg for 30 days) leads to development of anemia and thrombocytosis. Anemia is characterized by significant reticulocytosis (13.1 +/- 1.0%), anysocytosis, poikilocytosis, iron deficiency and marked alterations of antioxidant and metabolic status of red blood cells. Activities of SOD, catalase, GPx and GR were significantly increased in red blood cells of cadmium-treated rats. In treated animals cadmium induced an increase of red cell reduced and oxidized glutathione with no changes of GSSG/GSH ratio. However, significant reduction of lipid peroxidation was found. Plasma levels of tocopherol and ascorbate, as well as activity of glutathione-S-transferase, were all significantly increased in cadmium-treated rats. The energy metabolism of red blood cells was deeply altered in cadmium-treated rats. The levels of ATP, ADP, AMP and TAN were significantly increased while ATP/ADP ratio and adenylate energy charge (AEC) were significantly reduced. The level of 2,3-BPG was somewhat lower, but 2,3-BPG/Hb ratio was considerably higher, in red blood cells of cadmium-treated rats.

Decreased adenylate energy charge and superoxide anion release in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in septic patients after hepatectomy

To clarify the process of multiple organ failure after hepatectomy, the adenylate energy charge (EC) and superoxide anion (O2-) release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were measured 19 times on 11 septic patients after curative hepatic resection in relation to arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR), which reflects hepatic mitochondrial redox potential. PMN EC was measured by labeling the adenine nucleotide pool of PMN with radioactive adenine. The data of the septic patients (n = 19) was divided into two groups according to the hepatic energy status: AKBR above 0.7 (septic state A; n = 8) and AKBR below 0.7 for at least 3 successive days (septic state B; n = 11). Thirteen nonseptic patients undergoing hepatic resection were applied to the control group, and all of them showed AKBRs higher than 0.7. The PMN EC of septic patients was significantly lower than that of nonseptic patients [0.80 +/- 0.01 (SEM) vs. 0.88 +/- 0.02, P < 0.01]. In septic patients, moreover, the PMN EC of septic state A was significantly higher than septic state B (0.85 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05). Superoxide anion release of septic patients was significantly lower than that of nonseptic patients (19.0 +/- 2.1 nmol/5 x 10(5) cells/15 min vs. 29.3 +/- 1.7 nmol/5 x 10(5) cells/15 min, P < 0.01). Superoxide anion release of septic state A was significantly greater than that of septic state B (26.0 +/- 2.8 nmol/5 x 10(5) cells/15 min vs. 15.0 +/- 1.9 nmol/5 x 10(5) cells/15 min, P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Half-strength citrate CPD and new additive solutions for improved blood preservation. I. Studies of six experimental solutions

Poor stability of plasma factor VIII in whole blood and loss of erythrocyte 2,3-bis-phosphoglycerate (BPG) during red cell storage are limitations with systems for blood component preparation in current use. This study presents attempts to improve post-collection storage conditions in both these respects using half-strength citrate CPD solution (0.5CPD) for blood collection, which has been shown by others to improve the stability of factor VIII, and some compositions of hypotonic additive solutions for red cell storage containing citrate, adenine, mannitol, and phosphate. Guanosine was also included in some of the media. The erythrocyte BPG concentration was maintained at a normal level for 3-4 weeks with the best of the tested compositions. Total adenine nucleotide concentration was maintained at the original level for 49 days and adenosine triphosphate for 28 days. Spontaneous storage haemolysis was low, 0.31% (mean) +/- 0.08-0.10% (SD) after 49 days in the two best compositions. The intracellular pH was 0.2-0.3 pH units higher than the extracellular pH at the beginning of storage, but this difference gradually diminished and disappeared after 4-5 weeks. We suggest two likely explanations of the effects: the maintenance of intracellular pH at a level sufficiently high not to impair BPG synthesis until after several weeks of storage, and a sufficient supply of phosphate needed in the synthesis of organic phosphate compounds. The content of citrate was selected such that the total amount supplied to a patient in a massive transfusion, when using a combination of 0.5CPD plasma and red cell suspension, would be smaller than that provided by a transfusion of CPD whole blood.

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase deficiency associated with nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in the mouse: an animal model for the human disease

The first two mutations causing hereditary glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) deficiency associated with chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in nonhuman mammals are described in the mouse. As in humans, the hemolytic syndrome, which is characterized by a diminished erythrocyte number, lower hematocrit, lower hemoglobin, higher number of reticulocytes and plasma bilirubin concentration, as well as increased liver- and spleen-somatic indices, was exclusively manifested in homozygous mutants. In comparison with wild type, heterozygous individuals exhibited neither hematologic differences nor alterations of other physiologic parameters, including plasma concentration of glucose, pyruvate and lactate, body weight, organo-somatic indices of liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and heart, as well as viability. Glycolytic intermediates, adenine nucleotides, and metabolic rate were not significantly altered in erythrocytes from heterozygotes. On the contrary, if allowance is made for the young erythrocyte population, homozygous mutant erythrocytes showed an increased concentration of glucose-6-phosphate and normal or decreased concentrations of glycolytic metabolites following the enzymatic block. The concentration of adenosine triphosphate and the glycolytic rate also appeared to be reduced. Homozygous anemic mice showed hepatosplenomegaly and typical adaptations to hypoxia, such as an elevated heart-somatic index and, for one mutant line, an enhanced lung-somatic index. Further, these animals were characterized by a marked reduction of body weight and an increase of lethality both correlated with the degree of enzyme deficiency in tissues. The latter findings were attributed to a reduced glycolytic capability of the whole organism caused by the enzyme defect in tissues, rather than representing secondary consequences of GPI deficiency in erythrocytes. The similarity in physicochemical and kinetic properties of the mutant murine proteins reported earlier with those of allozymes found in human GPI deficiency, as well as the comparable metabolic and physiologic consequences of this enzyme defect in mice and humans support that these murine mutants are excellent animal models for the human disease.

Studies on the possible biological effects of 50 Hz electric and/or magnetic fields: evaluation of some glycolytic enzymes, glycolytic flux, energy and oxido-reductive potentials in human erythrocytes exposed in vitro to power frequency fields

An attempt has been made to understand whether 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are involved in producing bioeffects by exposing human erythrocytes in vitro. The study evaluated some key glycolytic enzymes, glucose consumption, lactate production, energy charge, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and reduced glutathione levels, all of which are biochemical parameters significant to erythrocyte function. Cells exposed to individual or superimposed EMFs have not shown any significant difference compared with the controls.

MDA, oxypurines, and nucleosides relate to reperfusion in short-term incomplete cerebral ischemia in the rat

Short-term incomplete cerebral ischemia (5 min) was induced in the rat by the bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries. Reperfusion was obtained by removing carotid clamping and was carried out for the following 10 min. Animals were sacrificed either at the end of ischemia or reperfusion. Controls were represented by a group of sham-operated rats. Peripheral venous blood samples were withdrawn from the femoral vein from rats subjected to cerebral reperfusion 5 min before ischemia, at the end of ischemia, and 10 min after reperfusion. Neutralized perchloric acid extracts of brain tissue were analyzed by a highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the direct determination of malondialdehyde, oxypurines, nucleosides, nicotinic coenzymes, and high-energy phosphates. In addition, plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, hypoxanthine, xanthine, inosine, uric acid, and adenosine were determined by the same HPLC technique. Incomplete cerebral ischemia induced the appearance of a significant amount (8.05 nmol/g w.w.; SD = 2.82) of cerebral malondialdehyde (which was undetectable in control animals) and a decrease of ascorbic acid. A further 6.6-fold increase of malondialdehyde (53.30 nmol/g w.w.; SD = 17.77) and a 18.5% decrease of ascorbic acid occurred after 10 min of reperfusion. Plasma malondialdehyde, which was present in minimal amount before ischemia (0.050 mumol/L; SD = 0.015), significantly increased after 5 min of ischemia (0.277 mumol/L; SD = 0.056) and was strikingly augmented after 10 min of reperfusion (0.682 mumol/L; SD = 0.094). A similar trend was observed for xanthine, uric acid, inosine, and adenosine, while hypoxanthine reached its maximal concentration after 5 min of incomplete ischemia, being significantly decreased after reperfusion. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid, and plasma levels of malondialdehyde, oxypurines, and nucleosides, reflect both the oxygen radical-mediated tissue injury and the depression of energy metabolism, thus representing early biochemical markers of short-term incomplete brain ischemia and reperfusion in the rat. In particular, these results suggest the possibility of using the variation of malondialdehyde, oxypurines, and nucleosides in peripheral blood as a potential biochemical indicator of reperfusion damage occurring to postischemic tissues.

Contrast in adenine uptake by chicken and rabbit erythrocytes in vitro

1. Relative to rabbit erythrocytes, chicken red blood cells exhibit a much greater capacity to utilize [3H]adenine for nucleotide synthesis in vitro, even at 5 degrees C and in the absence of added inorganic phosphate. 2. This difference is largely due to a higher concentration of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate and greater activity of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase in the avian cells. 3. The capacity of avian erythrocytes for utilization of guanine and hypoxanthine is several fold less than that of adenine. 4. The data are consistent with lower activity for hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase than for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase in intact chicken erythrocytes. 5. The results indicate that reutilization of adenine by chicken erythrocytes may be physiologically significant.

Maternal leukocyte metabolism during pregnancy and puerperium, and its relation to fetal growth

Changes of energy metabolism in maternal leukocytes were studied longitudinally in 33 normal term pregnancies at 12, 20 and 36 weeks of gestation and 40 days post partum. Nutrient intakes were calculated from 3-day weighed food records at the same periods. Women tended to decrease their mean dietary intakes of energy and of most nutrients from early to late pregnancy. Glucose-6-P dehydrogenase (G6P-DH), pyruvic kinase (PK) and adenylate kinase (AK) activities rose significantly after the 12th week of pregnancy, reaching maximal values at week 20. The following period up to week 36 showed a significant decrease that continued in the puerperium, when their values were lowest. Adenine nucleotide contents and protein/DNA ratio followed a different pattern. A significant increase was also observed from weeks 12 to 20, remaining without changes during the second half of gestation, and falling at puerperium. The PK and AK activities showed a positive correlation with energy intake at 36 weeks of gestation and AK activity was negatively correlated with folic acid intake in the middle of pregnancy. At week 20, PK activity showed a positive correlation with both head circumference and body mass index of the newborn. There was also a correlation between protein/DNA ratio and head circumference at the 36th week of gestation. These findings may suggest a relationship between the metabolism of maternal leukocytes, and fetal development in utero.

[Assay of adenine nucleotide level in platelet storage pool for evaluation of the course of hemoblastosis]

The content of adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP) was studied in dense granules of platelets in hemoblastosis to estimate the character of the pathological process course. Varying biochemical defects were observed at the levels of ATP and ADP depending on the severity of the pathological process in chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloblastic and acute myelo-monoblastic leukemias. Adenine nucleotide values can be used for the diagnosis of varying stages of the above diseases, for the evaluation of anomalous platelets and characterization of the adequacy of the bone marrow hemopoiesis.

Preservation of metabolic activity in lyophilized human erythrocytes

Normal human erythrocytes (RBC) were freeze-dried under conditions that caused minimal modification in normal RBC metabolic activities. Because of the known effects of long-term storage on metabolic activities, we studied the effects of our lyophilization process on RBC metabolism. Of all the metabolic enzymes studied, only triosephosphate isomerase (D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate ketol-isomerase, EC 5.3.1.1), enolase (2-phospho-D-glyceratehydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.11), and pyruvate kinase (ATP:pyruvate O2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) were decreased when compared with fresh control nonlyophilized RBC. The activities of these enzymes did not differ significantly from those of blood bank RBC. Concentrations of high-energy intermediates, ATP, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, along with lactate and ATP production were decreased in lyophilized RBC. No enzymes of the pentose phosphate shunt were altered during lyophilization. In addition, our data show that lyophilized RBC possess an intact capacity to (i) synthesize adenine nucleotides and (ii) reduce MetHb to Hb and, thus, maintain the Hb in a functional physiologic state similar to fresh nonlyophilized RBC. The present study demonstrates the possibility of lyophilizing RBC in a manner that maintains normal metabolic and enzymatic function upon rehydration.

Adenine nucleotide catabolism in human myocardium during heart and heart-lung transplantation

The influence of ischemia and reperfusion on nucleotide concentration in human myocardium was investigated during heart and heart-lung transplantation. Myocardial preservation during heart transplantation was achieved by infusion of cold St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution followed by storage in Ringer's solution at 4 degrees C during transport. In contrast, the hearts of heart and lung donors were preserved by core cooling using cardiopulmonary bypass and infusion of cold blood cardioplegia containing 26 mM potassium. The heart-lung block was transported in cold donor blood. Nucleotides and their catabolite concentrations were measured in donor tissue specimens taken before organ collection, before commencement of implantation and 30 min after aortic clamp removal. During reperfusion, samples of coronary sinus and arterial blood were collected and analysed for nucleotide catabolite concentration. Myocardial ATP and total nucleotide pool remained almost unchanged during the ischemic transport of the donor organs with only very small increases in myocardial inosine and hypoxanthine concentrations. However, a significant decrease of total adenine nucleotide pool by 10%-20% was demonstrated between the start of implantation and 30 min post-reperfusion. A release of inosine + hypoxanthine was greatest in the 1st minute (15-25 microM), but was still substantial after 10 min of reperfusion (5-15 microM). Metabolic changes tended to be more pronounced during heart-lung transplantation than during heart transplantation.

Characterization of phosphofructokinase-deficient canine erythrocytes

Dogs homozygously affected with muscle-type phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency had about 20% of normal erythrocyte PFK activity and exhibited a compensated haemolytic anaemia. Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate concentrations were increased and dihydroxyacetone phosphate and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate values were below normal in affected dogs. Other intermediates distal to the PFK step were not significantly below normal and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate was even above normal. Erythrocyte ATP was higher than normal in affected dogs owing to the reticulocytes present. Abnormal adenylate metabolism was demonstrated by low ATP/AMP and ADP/AMP ratios and the inability to maintain ATP content when affected erythrocytes were incubated with cyanide. Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate content was normal, and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate content in affected canine erythrocytes was higher than normal. Studies of erythrocyte PFK isozymes revealed altered enzyme kinetic properties in affected dogs which appeared to be due to the loss of the M-type subunit.

Effect of bed rest on the adenine nucleotides concentration in human blood platelets

The effect of immobilization in bed on metabolism and function of human blood platelet was studied. Blood platelets taken from patients with bone fractures after long term bed rest (14 days and 28 days) demonstrated significantly reduced concentration of total adenine nucleotides (after 28 days reduction about 30%). This decrease of total platelet adenine nucleotides after immobilization in bed is probably caused by stimulation of platelet secretory process. Thrombin which released from control platelets 58.2% +/- 1.5% of total adenine nucleotides liberated decreased amounts (only 23.1% +/- 3.3% of total) of nucleotides from patient platelets isolated after 28 days of immobilization in bed. Loss of nucleotides from platelets was accompanied by slightly increased extent of platelet aggregation. It is concluded that during bed rest the reactivity of blood platelets (aggregation and release reaction) is stimulated.

Activities of aldose reductase, ATPases, and nucleotide concentrations of erythrocytes in patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21) is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. In this paper we determined the activities of aldose reductase and ATPases of the erythrocytes in 17 patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In the aldose reductase assay we used fluorometric method to avoid the disturbance of hemoglobin. With dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), we verified it was aldose reductase but not aldehyde reductase II that was activated in the erythrocytes of the patients with NIDDM. The aldose reductase activity of the erythrocytes in the patients was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that in the controls. The activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPase of the patients was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that of the controls. The activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase on the erythrocyte membranes of the patients were similar to those of the controls. At the same time we measured the seven nucleotide concentrations in the erythrocytes of the patients. In this experiment we used ultrafiltration method, instead of acid precipitation to make it possible to determine dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and NADH. The concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP were similar to those of the controls. The concentrations of NADPH, NAD+ and NADH in the erythrocytes of the patients were significantly lower (P less than 0.01, 0.05 and 0.05 respectively) than those of controls. The concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) in the patients was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that of controls.

Mechanism and prevention of ischemia-reperfusion-induced liver injury in rats

This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion-induced rat liver injury and to evaluate the effect of long-acting superoxide dismutase (SOD-POE). Liver mitochondrial functional indices, i.e., the respiratory control index (RCI) and the rate of oxygen consumption in State III respiration (St. III O2), were decreased significantly to 1.33 +/- 0.06, mean +/- SD, and 54.4 +/- 3.7 natom/mg protein/min, respectively, after 120 min of ischemia, compared to respective preischemic values (3.94 +/- 0.21 and 80.2 +/- 3.9). These indices did not recover fully following 60 min of reperfusion (RCI, 3.25 +/- 0.17; St. III O2, 69.9 +/- 6.4). Tissue levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were decreased to 2% of preischemic levels after 120 min of ischemia and remained at 39% of preischemic levels following 60 min of reperfusion. Increases in hypoxanthine and xanthine were observed after ischemia. SOD-POE improved the recovery of mitochondrial function (RCI, 3.70 +/- 0.20; St. III O2, 83.3 +/- 7.6) and also accelerated the recovery of ATP (53% of preischemic level). SOD-POE did not affect the decrease in ATP levels or the increase in purine nucleotide levels during ischemia. SOD-POE did not influence changes in tissue blood flow levels throughout the experiments. The leakage of adenine nucleotides immediately after reperfusion was observed (4.2 +/- 2.0 mumole/liter serum), and SOD-POE mitigated this leakage (1.3 +/- 0.5). Purine nucleotides are oxidizable substrates of xanthine oxidase, and an increase in superoxide radical generation by this enzyme might be expected in the ischemia-reperfusion process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Storage of saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol-suspended red cells in a new plastic container: polyvinylchloride plasticized with butyryl-n-trihexyl-citrate

Blood collection and component preparation have been performed in integrally connected multiple plastic containers made with a new plastic. This polyvinylchloride (PVC) container plasticized with butyryl-n-trihexyl-citrate (BTHC) is a new material for blood storage; it contains no di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). After removal of plasma and buffy coat, the red cells were suspended in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM) medium. After 42-day refrigerator storage, the total adenine nucleotide concentration remained the same as the initial concentration in the red cells, whereas ATP levels had decreased to 61 percent of the initial value. The 2,3 DPG concentration was 62 percent of normal on Day 7 and 21 percent on Day 14. Glucose consumption, lactate production, potassium leakage from red cells, and pH levels were similar to those found after storage in DEHP-plasticized containers under the same conditions. After 42 days, hemolysis levels were 0.56 +/- 0.21 percent and 0.42 +/- 0.17 percent in two series of units mixed weekly and 0.70 +/- 0.27 percent in units stored unmixed. Although even higher levels of hemolysis were observed in the units stored unmixed and used for 24-hour posttransfusion survival, the autologous red cell recovery results were excellent (83.2 +/- 5.1%, n = 8). BTHC-plasticized PVC is found to be a suitable material for 42-day storage of red cells in SAGM solution.