The x-irradiation of intact washed erythrocytes results in an inhibition of the glyoxalase activity of the cells chiefly as a result of a decrease in the reduced glutathione level. The percentage inhibition is markedly increased by an increase in the dilution of the cells in physiological saline suggesting that the effect of radiation is indirect, via the production in the aqueous medium of free radicals, H2O2, etc. This is supported by the decrease in the inhibition produced by lowering the oxygen tension or by the addition of catalase. The inhibition of glyoxalase activity is also decreased by the addition of methylglyoxal, plasma, adenosine, inosine, glucose, and a number of other sugars to the erythrocyte suspension prior to radiation. Furthermore, some reactivation of the glyoxalase system results from the addition of plasma, glucose, adenosine, and inosine following radiation. These results are discussed in relation to the role of SH compounds, particularly glutathione, in the toxicity of ionizing radiations.
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March 20 1958
THE EFFECT OF X-RADIATION ON THE GLUTATHIONE METABOLISM OF INTACT ERYTHROCYTES IN VITRO
S. J. Klebanoff
S. J. Klebanoff
From the Department of Pathological Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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S. J. Klebanoff
From the Department of Pathological Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Received:
August 14 1957
Online ISSN: 1540-7748
Print ISSN: 0022-1295
Copyright, 1958, by The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research
1958
J Gen Physiol (1958) 41 (4): 725–736.
Article history
Received:
August 14 1957
Citation
S. J. Klebanoff; THE EFFECT OF X-RADIATION ON THE GLUTATHIONE METABOLISM OF INTACT ERYTHROCYTES IN VITRO . J Gen Physiol 20 March 1958; 41 (4): 725–736. doi: https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.41.4.725
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