REACTIVE OXYGEN METABOLITES AND HEMOLYSIS

ABSTRACT Evidence presented suggests an interrelationship between the peroxidatic enzymes and superoxide dismutase in the red cell, which is glucose-mediated and depends on the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. Red cells were incubated with 1,4-naphthoquinone-2-sulfonic acid, a hemolytic substance that generates superoxide anions which dismutate to hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide causes a functional inactivation of catalase, followed by diminished activity of superoxide dismutase. This protective role of catalase to superoxide dismutase has been determined in cellular studies by addition of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and in vitro enzyme studies.