INTRODUCTION OF NEGATIVE CHARGES TO A CROSS-LINKED HEMOGLOBIN - LACK OF EFFECT ON PLASMA HALF TIME

Intramolecularly crosslinked hemoglobins do not dissociate into alpha( 1) beta(1) dimers. As a result, they escape glomerular filtration and have plasma half times of 4 hours. This value is shorter than for albu min (5.2 hours) with similar molecular weight but higher negative char ge. The present study was done to determine if increased negative char ge on a hemoglobin covalently crosslinked with bis (3,5-dibromosalicyl ) sebacate would lengthen its plasma half time. Negative charge was in troduced by acylation with succinic anhydride. The product had a highe r negative charge; however, plasma half time was not increased. A larg er fraction of the succinylated material was excreted in the urine sug gesting molecular instability.