Premium
Increased heinz body formation and impaired erythrocyte pentose phosphate shunt function during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Lachant Neil A.,
Gottlieb Arlan J.,
Difino Santo M.,
Landaw Stephen A.,
Tanaka Kouichi R.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830180204
Subject(s) - pentose phosphate pathway , heinz body , pregnancy , medicine , pentose , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry , metabolism , biology , glycolysis , genetics , hemoglobin , fermentation
The erythrocytes of 90 pregnant women were evaluated for the presence of in vivo or in vitro oxidant damage. The reduced glutathione (P < 0.005) and the membrane reduced sulfhydryl (P < 0.001) concentrations were decreased in fresh erythrocytes. Following incubation with acetylphenylhydrazine, Heinz body formation was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Both the increase in Heinz body formation and the reduction in membrane reduced sulfhydryl content correlated strongly with duration of pregnancy. Glucose consumption was significantly decreased before, but not after, new methylene blue stimulation. Pentose phosphate shunt activity was impaired both before (P < 0.05) and after (P < 0.001) stimulation. No changes were observed in pentose phosphate recycling. The only alteration observed in the activity of the enzymes of the pentose shunt was an elevation of 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity. Although the clinical significance of these findings remains to be determined, medications with an oxidant potential should be used judiciously during gestation.