The Role of the Polyol Pathway in Methaemoglobin Reduction in Human Red Cells

Summary. The relationship of methaemoglobin reduction to the polyol or sorbitol pathway, which accounts for 2–3% of glucose metabolism at physiological glucose concentrations in human red cells, was investigated. In partially methaemoglobinized cells (3–7% methaemoglobin), the metabolic alterations previously observed at high glucose concentrations did not occur. Partial inhibition of the polyol pathway with 3.3‐tetramethyleneglutaric acid (TMG) resulted in an increase in the pyruvate concentration when compared to non‐treated cells with the same percentage of methaemoglobin. When methaemoglobin production was totally inhibited with carbon monoxide, the metabolic alterations previously observed at a glucose concentration of 50 mm occurred at physiological glucose concentrations. These data suggest that the NADH produced by the polyol pathway may provide reduced pyridine nucleotide required for physiological rates of methaemoglobin reduction.

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